SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND POVERTY

Social Exclusion and Poverty

[Name of the Institute

Potential of group work to promote Mutual Aid and Empowerment

Working in Groups

A group can be defined as an association of people on the basis of defined objectives or interests. There may be a number of reasons for this association among people; they may be associated on the basis of religious beliefs, interests, social, economical, political causes or for the attainment of predefined objectives. Groups may be formal or informal in their orientation, a formal group may have structured norms, principles and values and the efforts of the group members are connected to a particular objective (Sibley, 1995, pp. 74-78). On the other hand, an informal group may be composed of diversified member; however, the connection between the members may be on the basis of interest or relationship. The only difference between a group and a team is that teams are developed to attain particular objectives and the tasks are divided among the members for the achievement of established goals. Working in groups has a great advantage especially when a considerable objective is targeted. The leader's position in problem-solving discussions in group is important because the leader can make sure that the important discussion functions, like employing systematic processes, thinking creatively plus critically, and managing conflict appropriately, are performed.

Social groups are divided according to different criteria, such as durability, size, purpose, or organizational structure. One of the key concepts involved in the contemporary sociologist ways of development of the whole nation, or society is undoubtedly a small social group. Such relationships among group members may arise through common values, goals, interests and needs. Because it is they, constitute the entire society and the nation. A sense of solidarity being built among the members of a social group and the ensuing need to identify with its values, which gives the characteristics of a given social group distinguishing them from other groups, but nationwide there are still values ??such as patriotism which attach members of small groups for a particular nation. They allow while retaining their distinctive identities which may result from differences in territorial, ideological or religious out fronts. A social group may have the ability to influence and promote mutual aid and social empowerment.

Mutual Aid

In this section of the paper I will be discussing the impact of groups on individuals in assisting each other for the attainment of a primary objective. This concept of mutual assistance among the members of a social group termed as mutual aid. Social groups which influence mutual aid can be referred as social work groups. The groups of self-help are small groups of people who share the same living situation or the same difficulties. They are deliberately trying to satisfy a need, overcome a problem, and get a change in a reciprocal manner. In the self-help process, the service user is also the service producer. As an informal voluntary method of social support, communal social work provides informational, affective appraisal and instrumental ...