NCJ Number
113885
Journal
Lay Panel Magazine Volume: 20 Dated: (September 1988) Pages: 9-11
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The perception of social workers in Northern Ireland that their adolescent clients are becoming increasingly violent toward them probably reflects both trends in social work and issues related to worker morale.
Abstract
Definitive data regarding the actual extent of juvenile violence toward social workers is not available, but concerns about violence are increasingly being expressed by experienced and competent workers. A partial explanation may be found in the increasing trend to provide alternatives to residential care for children and adolescents and for those in residential care to be adolescents rather than the young children for whom workers were trained. Pressure has also grown for the social work profession to become much more vigilant regarding both physical and sexual child abuse. This pressure does not promote harmonious working relationships with clients, however. In addition, public scandals have a negative effect on the morale of child care workers. Workers try to avoid scandals by avoiding risks, and management seeks to avoid ridicule. These factors all contribute to a situation in which workers feel unsupported and fearful. Disparities in pay, working conditions, and status also affect morale and job performance. These factors all contribute to an atmosphere in which aggression and violence are more likely to be displayed. Finally, we must recognize that the threat of aggression and violence reflects the nature of our society, which has double standards and which accepts high levels of violence in many areas.