Zanzibari Social Entrepreneurs and Poverty Alleviation Strategies: Understanding Efforts to Build Local Community Sustainability

ABSTRACT

Poverty throughout Zanzibar, Tanzania encourages social entrepreneurs to think strategically about methods of human capital development, promoting economic sustainability and asset building. Local women social entrepreneurs are successfully active in (a) building the educational opportunities for girls and low income women, (b) evolving in business to meet change and economic growth, and (c) empowering vulnerable populations and people living with disabilities. This qualitative study interviews 15 women social entrepreneurs in the rural area of Jambiani and the urban area of Stone Town. Their ventures are alleviating poverty and social workers can support these local creative initiatives in diverse ways.     

Social Learning Theory and Behavioral Therapy: Considering Human Behaviors within the Social and Cultural Context of Individuals and Families

This article examines theoretical thoughts of social learning theory and behavioral therapy and their influences on human behavior within a social and cultural context. The article utilizes two case illustrations with applications for consumers. It points out the abundance of research studies concerning the effectiveness of social learning theory and the paucity of research studies regarding effectiveness and evidence-based practices with diverse groups. Providing a social and cultural context in working with diverse groups with reference to social learning theory adds to the literature for more cultural considerations in adapting the theory to women, African Americans, and diverse groups.     

And Some of Us Are Braver: Stress and Coping Among African American Women

African American women fulfill many roles within their family and community. Most notably, these women are often defined by their “strength” and rarely seen as “vulnerable.” Many African American women demonstrate strength as they struggle to maintain employment, raise children, and nurture spouses and extended family, but these same women are at risk for a higher rate of health and emotional problems. In this article, the authors use relational cultural, stress and coping, and lifespan theories, along with Black feminist thought to discuss the interlocking effects of race, gender, and class regarding the psychological well-being of African American women 18 to 55 years old. We conclude with a discussion of research, practice, and teaching implications.     

The Affordable Care Act: Implications for African Americans Living with HIV

This article reviews the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), 2010. It highlights the implications of the ACA for African Americans living with HIV/AIDS. This law is a practical step toward decreasing disproportionate chronic disease in vulnerable communities. Proper implementation of provisions will help the United States catch up to other industrialized nations with well-established public health care programs. Included is a concise table referencing notable provisions that support increased access to treatment, health education, and quality of care for clients. Social workers can use this information to ensure that clients benefit from this legislation.     

Gender and Moral Reasoning

Abstract

Social work interventions for youth should be based on understanding how youth think about important issues in their lives. This study assesses the moral reasoning of 43 urban, low-income African American seventh graders in response to questions about how to handle dating dilemmas. Responses to videotaped dating situations were analyzed using qualitative methods to distinguish between justice and care perspectives. The majority of responses from both genders came from the justice perspective. Girls gave more responses that reflected care and combined justice and care perspectives. Boys were less skillful in communicating and tended to focus on negative consequences. Culture and social class appeared to play important roles in moral reasoning.     

Children orphaned by HIV and AIDS in middle childhood in Potchefstroom,Northwest: The role of a social worker

ABSTRACT

The effects of HIV and AIDS have devastated families and communities in South Africa. The scourge has also left many children orphaned in the country. Given the vulnerability of orphaned children, social workers are in the forefront of ensuring that these children are cared for and protected from any harm. Hence, the purpose of this paper was to explore the role of a social worker in issues related to children orphaned by AIDS in their middle childhood. This study was situated within a qualitative research paradigm utilizing purposive, non-probability sampling of 10 participants recruited from Potchefstroom in the Northwest Province of South Africa. A semi-structured interview schedule was employed as a research tool, and in-depth one-on-one interviews were adopted as the method of data collection. A thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data collected during the interviews. The main findings point towards the need to educate children about HIV and AIDS and to empower their caregivers. The primary conclusion drawn from this study is that social workers play various key roles which contribute towards the well-being of orphaned children. Recommendations are posed in relation to social work service providers, government interventions, and future research.     

Race Identity and Race Socialization in African American Families

Abstract

In recent decades, theoretical and empirical efforts have enhanced our understanding of race identity and race socialization in African American families. This review of that literature identifies ways in which this growing knowledge base might assist social workers who work with African Americans. Prominent theories of race identity are outlined with a brief summary of research that has found linkages between race identity and well-being. Race socialization is defined and research investigating age, gender, and social class differences in socialization are discussed. Finally, research that examines the consequences of race socialization for psychological adjustment, academic achievement, and identity development is summarized, along with recommendations for social workers.     

The ecology of social support in relation to academic and behavioral self-perceptions among African American boys and girls

ABSTRACT

In this research, the ecology of perceived social support was examined across multiple contexts (i.e., parents, teachers, classmates, and close friends) in relation to self-perception indices among African American school-age children. Social support is multifaceted and includes positive regard from others, practical support, and stability of care. While there is ample evidence that levels of perceived social support are predictive of self-perceptions, there is less information regarding ecologies of social support. African American children are subject to disparate discipline in schools which can create discontinuity in social support across home and school. Furthermore, research has suggested African American boys and girls have different experiences and expectations across parent, school, and peer contexts. Hence, the question arises as to what ecologies of social support are more or less impactful, and for whom? Cluster and canonical correlation analyses were employed to identify and create relevant ecologies across adult and peer social support items. The results suggested the following: a) continuous positive social support was associated with enhanced self-perceptions, b) some patterns of discontinuity were particularly germane for self-perceptions, and c) relations between perceived social support and self-perceptions outcomes varied by gender. Practical implications are discussed.     

Epistemological inclusiveness in researching the African American community

Abstract

African American communities have experienced negative effects from a history of medical abuse, lack of proper research procedures, and misinterpretations of study findings because of racism. These past injustices have led to a mistrust of research and researchers. This paper focuses on how some methodological challenges, in a study funded by a National Institutes of Health grant on two low-income African American communities in Kentucky, were mediated through the collaboration of a multi-racial/ethnic team of researchers engaged in cross-disciplinary research. The information for this paper is based on the reflections of key members of the research team. The reflections show that having researchers with different epistemologies resulted in a culturally aware and sensitive study in which emic and etic research approaches were adopted. The inclusion of race-based epistemologies and close community ties were found to be particularly useful in building trust and getting the support of the two communities. However, these outcomes were only possible because research team members provided each other latitude for intellectual freedom and leadership.