PARADIGM ANALYSIS

Social Systems and Social Work Theory

Abstract

This research study focuses on the prevailing social system which includes community, group, organization and Family as a study point of view. Social work theory is presented with application on Socially Marginalized individuals. Finally, the contradictory paradigms are discussed with regard to a particular marginalized social role.

Social Systems and Social Work Theory

Introduction to Social Systems

With the social system definition given by Talcott parsons, social system concept became central to the subject of sociology. Parson showed equilibria as an interdependence involving mutual adjustments between independent forces, not as static balances between forces. He highlighted that social systems are not static but moving equilibria that have room for change while maintaining overall steadiness. According to him, equilibria was breakable, which could result in conflict and stress.

The unique thinking concerning social systems came from Niklas Luhmann, a German sociologist. Luhmann was inclined by Parsons and maintained some of his terms but established a different theory. Luhmann's formation of social systems does not stress equilibrium but autopoesis, an expression he took from biological theory. Autopoetic i.e. self-producing systems are able to self reproduce their components. Luhmann lay emphasis on the, self-sustaining, self-organizing traits of social systems and components, not equilibrium amid components, as in equilibrium literature. Luhmann held to functional analysis but assumed function as a connection between a system and its manifold environments. He further proposed that Autopoetic systems are adaptive inside particular ecological settings (Darity, 2008).

Family Social System

As a social system, the family operates out of the difficulty of its own set of problems, processes, and properties. Like the various social systems, the family is ordered in a way that does not permit its members to perform his/her role with completely on his/her own. Therefore, each member of the family controls and affects other individuals of his social system similar to any other social structure. There are many aspects, which affect family social system, including trust, tradition, stability, interdependency and loyalty. All of these aspects are important in understanding the functioning of a family. Rules, boundaries and patterns of interface along with cultural manipulation also influence how families function as a social system. All these aspects influence each other due to their interrelationships within the family structure.

The social system of a family holds factors such as rules, communication forms, and models of decision for arising conflicts, structures of family and power roles, which all help in problem solving, the achievement of a variety of tasks and the completion of the objectives. It is emotions which makes a family social system different from other systems. Emotion of patience, forgiveness, love and endurance, make up a family social system. This emotional aspect allows the family to construct a base of acceptance and understanding between family units. Family social organisms function on generational origins, where aspects change with new generations.

Anxiety, loss, anger, fear, resentment and confusion are the sentiments felt by family units as the member's try to fit the changes in the family ...