<p>The social work profession is founded on a set of values that guide practice behaviours. These values are first adopted through social work education programs and are reinforced by the profession's cultural practices. However, many obstacles prevent social workers from adhering to social work values in practice. Personal, societal and organizational values that contradict social work values prevent social workers from being true to their mission. Unfortunately, many prevailing societal and organizational interests, such as patriarchal norms, capitalist business interests and managerial philosophies, are diametrically opposed to social work values. Thus, social workers are entrusted with an extremely difficult task; they are expected to manage numerous competing values, meet client needs, and work toward social change simultaneously. This study has attempted to accurately examine and depict the experiences of six female social workers, in order to gain a better understanding of social workers' struggles to manage competing principles. The participants have offered poignant examples of how social work values can be easily overridden by other value systems. This is particularly true in mainstream organizations, whose structures are less supportive of social work values. On the contrary community- based and feminist agencies appear to be more likely to support social work values, due to a variety of organizational factors. In addition, the findings highlight several implications for social work education, and raise questions about the need to change our current practice to be more inclusive of a variety of professionals, as well as clients. Furthermore, although the findings offer some hope in terms of the influence of social work values on ethical practice behaviours, they also highlight the fact that social work values and goals may simply be impossible to accomplish at all times.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>Once understood as a personal concern, violence against women has been reconceptualized over the past thirty years as a societal problem (Standing Committee on Social Development, 1982). With increasing public attention to woman abuse, researchers have worked to understand what kinds of interventions might ameliorate this tragic phenomenon. Yet very few researchers have asked abused women for their views about interventions designed for their safety by social and police service agencies.</p> <p>This interview study explored five women's experiences of a Community Safety Protection Program (CSPP), a program intended to prevent future violence or deaths of "high risk" women at the hands of male partners or former partners. The central aim in the research was to situate the CSPP in the context of abused women's struggles and achievements: to examine how the CSPP contributes to their sense of safety, how it enables their resistance, and how it supports their strengths.</p> <p>The CSPP was found to have benefits beyond the stated intention of the program: it appears that the CSPP may be part of an important shift in the balance of power between a woman and her abusive former partner, changing the nature of her resistance and increasing her entitlement to safety. Interviews also reveal that women's risk of violence persists over time, and suggest careful attention to the match between women's circumstances and the length of time the program is offered. Interviews also highlighted a central paradox: the program's power to protect women can also work to oppress them. The positive impact the CSPP has on women's lives is undeniable; however changes in practice need to take place to mitigate the potential for disempowerment of the recipients of the CSPP.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>For the past decade, many Schools of Social Work across Canada have incorporated the anti-oppressive perspective in their course curriculum, despite the many contentions within the profession. Drawing upon my experience as a student of colour in a School of Social Work, this study adopted a qualitative research approach (Mason, 2002) in exploring the experiences of four white students and four students of colour at the McMaster University School of Social Work as they learn about anti-oppressive perspective, in particular, the impact of students' racial identities in their learning. Their reflections shed light on what can be done to support students' learning. The students in this study described the process of learning anti-oppressive perspective as "eye-opening". They expressed that critical reflectivity on their implicated role in the complex network of systemic power relations as indispensable to their learning, but also very challenging and unsettling. The process is full of ambiguities and contradictions, especially when situated in a society filled with contesting ideologies where oppressive practices are often masked with egalitarian i values. Students referred to processes that nourish or hamper the development o~ critical reflectivity. In turn, this elucidated the importance of an education that will illuminate complexities and ambiguities so as to equip students to face the challenges of their future and to work creatively to eliminate oppression.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>A child's view of their community and what they identify as community issues can offer useful knowledge in community organizing. This involvement is supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which asserts that children should have an opportunity to voice their opinions in matters that affect their lives. Unfortunately, children are rarely included in community organizing. This thesis explores ways children can be involved in community organizing. Focus groups with children ages 5-10 were conducted in the North End community of Hamilton, Ontario. In these groups, children spoke of ways they viewed their community and communicated these issues through art, photography and play. The study shows the potential of this method as a means to facilitate the authentic involvement of children in community organizing.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>This thesis seeks to address two questions: How does it happen that a community can evolve from a safe, vibrant neighbourhood filled with optimistic people to one that is crime-ridden and full of withdrawn individuals? And how are people born with the same hopes and dreams as the majority of American society so shaped by their experience that the majority now calls them stupid, lazy and violent? It asserts that the answers to these questions can be found in the experience of denied self and environmental efficacy felt by many persons marginalised in today's society that is oppression. Also important is the accompanying experience of internalised oppression which is the psychological state in which a person believes that him/herself and his/her social group are inferior to the dominant social group, as well as the self destructive behaviours that often contribute to a person's continued oppression and to the dominant group's view of that person as inferior (Mullaly, 2002). This thesis will suggest that the mechanism that frames the processes of oppression and of internalised oppression is the feelings of frustration that result each time a person is marginalised and discriminated against in attaining hislher goals in life. It will also suggest that the behaviours that result from this frustration can be understood using Maier's (1949) theory of frustration-instigated behaviour. Understanding oppression, internalised oppression and frustration in this way, recommendations are made for long-term social policies that address the roots of oppression rather than the destructive behaviours and in which marginalised people have control and choice.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>Utilizing an interpretive/feminist qualitative framework and consulting a wide array of Aboriginal education literature, this thesis seeks to explore the issue of culturally centred education for Aboriginal people as a relevant learning tool and ultimately a vehicle for self-determination and decolonization on a more global scale. While recognizing and respecting the vast diversity in Aboriginal people, the foundation is set for understanding the Aboriginal peoples' experiences by illustrating some of the historical and contemporary policy directions and decisions around education. Then through an examination of the wide body of literature, what it is that Aboriginal people need in order to benefit from education is explored. How is education to be made, not only culturally sensitive, but culturally- centred? Next a review and discussion of the thoughts and stories provided by the participants from two culturally centred educational programs is considered followed by a review of the broader implications of culturally centred education with an emphasis on self-determination and decolonization. Finally, in consultation with the literature and the words of the participants, eight recommendations for more relevant Aboriginal education are proposed.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>The North American auto industry is in a period of transition. The major assemblers are all moving towards reorganizing production to be more flexible. Flexibility has both a technical and a work organization definition. Technically, flexible manufacturing indicates the ability to produce multiple vehicles in the same plant. This allows for faster changes between products, ideally matching consumer demand more responsively than competitors. More importantly, the work organization dimension of flexible manufacturing includes changes to work rules. This includes the introduction of team work, mandatory weekend work, and the development of a class of temporary, part-time workers.</p> <p>The Ford Motor Company is considering the introduction of flexible manufacturing practises at its Oakville, Ontario site. This location has had two factories on site since August of 1965. One of these factories was closed permanently prior to the announcement that new investments were being considered for the location. The vehicle that is being produced in the second plant has a poor sales record. Potential new investments would reduce or end the repeated layoffs that workers in the remaining plant are forced to endure. Investments have been made contingent on changes to local operating practices.</p> <p>The local union's attempts to protect workers from work rule changes that could erode their quality of life have been weak. The local has adopted the company's competitiveness agenda rather than developing a more autonomous, worker centred agenda. A reduction of front line union representatives will constrain the local's capacity to mobilize workers on the shop floor. The lack of discussion or debate over the appropriate response to Ford's demands has further alienated workers from their union. The local maintains some important resources that could be mobilized to improve the present situation.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

<p>Thi paper explores th impact of traumatic experiences of colonialism, go emment policies genocide, racism discrimination, oppression, residential schools, etc. that have affected Aboriginal p oples lives for many generations. These traumas ha e compounded into many layers of grief and loss. Aboriginal people have not had the opportunity to grieve, heal or recover from their pain and suffering. It has left communities, families and individuals in states of deprivation, apathy, powerlessness, and hopelessness. Fi r t Nations communi ties are faced with devastating conditions and high rates of suicide alcoholism. iolence, family breakdowns, drug addiction, poverty, unemployment homele nes etc. aU symptoms of much deeper underlying problems. Each Aboriginal person, family and nation accumulates and carries the pains and trauma from the generations before, not knowing how to abolish or recover from this emotional, psychological and spiritual wounding. This research highlights the importance of cultural knowledge, practices and connections to the land in assisting Aboriginal people in recovering from generations of trauma, loss and pain. The research focuses on the Six Nations IroquoislHaudenosaunee people of the Grand Ri ver. It a1 0 explores the cultural teachings of the IroquoislHaudeno aunee and how so ial work and counselling practitioners are using traditional Haudenosaunee/Iroquois knowledge a a foundation to their practice in helping Iroquois p pJe reeo er from the generations of trauma, pain and loss. As a result of this re earch a cuJtural model for social work practice has been produced to assist practitioners in their helping role and work with Aboriginal people.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>Trafficking in women has been identified as one of the worst forms of human rights violations. Heightened awareness points to the increasing scope of this phenomenon that extends into almost every part of the world. Despite a lack of available, reliable research, Africa has recently been recognized as a region in which the incidence of trafficking in women is particularly alarming. This paper contends that as African govemments currently face the challenging task of developing policies to prevent and suppress trafficking in humans, an analysis of current approaches used to address the problem is of critical importance. This is especially crucial since many criticize current anti-trafficking measures as not only inadequate and ineffective, but as further exacerbating situations of abuse and further undermining fundamental human rights of the women who are trafficked. This study argues that any viable policy developed in Africa with the intention of combating trafficking must have the needs of the victims of trafficking front and centre.</p> <p>This paper lays the foundation for analysis by first exploring the current situation and relevant issues pertaining to trafficking in women, with a focus on Africa. It then analyzes four different approaches to developing anti-trafficking measures by considering different conceptualizations of trafficking, by exploring the strategies proposed under each approach, by unmasking underlying political motives, and by examining whose needs, whether those of the state or those of the women, are ultimately addressed. The strengths and weaknesses of each approach are identified. This paper contends that reframing current studies on trafficking in women based on this type of analysis establishes the necessary groundwork for the needs of women trafficked to be meaningfully considered. Finally, this paper highlights areas of future consideration. It emphasizes ways in which gender-responsive and rights-based perspectives might be integrated in order that measures taken should not adversely affect those women who are trafficked.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)

<p>Military families face a unique lifestyle that brings with it a series of stressors not experienced by the general civilian population. These include frequent moves, adjusting to the military subculture, and family separations. Family separations are especially stressful, as military spouses and parents are deployed for peacetime missions and training. However, the resilience and strengths-based literature has shown that most families are able to successfully cope with adversity. Further, structural changes to the military and family environment can increase family resilience. This is the crux of 'Occupational Social Work' in the military wherein lies the responsibility to baiance the needs of the individual, families, or other groups, with the needs of the military. In addition, policy development that is informed by research needs to form a significant part of 'Occupational Social Work' practice. This thesis is an exploratory work to further Occupational Social Work knowledge and practice and to stimulate further research on the effects of deployments on military families. This study also examines how Canadian military families cope with the deployment of their spouses by utilizing the Deployment Resilience Scale created by Major Adrian Van Breda on the South African Defence Force and by engaging in personal interviews in an attempt to explore family resilience in the Canadian military, and the usefulness of the Deployment Resilience Scale as a predictive tool. Findings show that, overall, Canadian military families have an average level of resilience. The area of lowest resilience appeared in family 'financial preparation' and military 'family-oriented management'. Military social workers need to be alert to potential difficulties with military deployments on the individual, family, and organizational levels. Historically military families relied on each other, friends and neighbours for support, usually only in dire circumstances. Currently, it appears that military families rely more on military formal and informal services, however, dissatisfaction with the gaps in service, and the military system of service delivery may be a indication that families are moving away from the 'rugged individual' ethos. It appears that military families acknowledge the mutually interdependent relationship between families and the military as an employer. Military occupational social workers need to encourage a healthy balance between employer and employees by using an ecological, strengths based resiliency model of practice, and by developing appropriate assessment tools to track progress and identify areas of both health and concern.</p> / Master of Social Work (MSW)