The Language of Social Workers:Narratives of Social Justice from the Field

University of St. Thomas, Minnesota UST Research Online Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertation School of Social Work 5-2021 The Language of Social Workers:Narratives of Social Justice from the Field Megan E. Gonyer Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.stthomas.edu/ssw_docdiss Part of the Social Work Commons The Language of Social Workers: Narratives of Social Justice from the Field by Megan E. Gonyer A Banded Dissertation in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Social Work University of St. Thomas School of Social Work May 2021 THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS ii Abstract This banded dissertation includes a range of literature surrounding language used within the field of social work. Language is the primary tool social workers use. The words social workers use can have several meanings or interpretations. The language used on agency paperwork, as well as conversations between social workers and clients, also impacts the services clients receive. In this banded dissertation, three distinct scholarly works on the subject of language in the social work profession are presented. In addition, implications for social work education and social work practice as well as a conceptual framework are also presented. The first product is a scholarly personal narrative in which the author connects her own personal experiences and professional practice with the history of the social work profession. The author raises the question “Am I who the founding mothers of social work imagined when they began their work?” The author explores the values of the social work profession with a focus on social justice and language. The author also explores how she is personally and professionally working towards social justice within the historical perspective of the social work profession. The second product is a qualitative study where 10 social workers from various practice settings were interviewed about how they define social justice and how they see language as part of this. The ecological perspective is used as a theoretical framework for the study. Three themes emerged including language is action, language is the client’s experience, and language is empowerment. Implications from the results show that when social workers use inclusive language, they can better serve their clients. The third product is a peer-reviewed conference workshop for the Baccalaureate Program Directors conference that engaged attendees in thinking about language as social justice and as a THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS iii skill that social workers use daily. Previous literature and research about language is presented. Information about language as part of social work practice is connected with social work education core competencies. Implications for person-first language, syllabus creation, and agency paperwork are presented. This banded dissertation includes implications for social work practice and education. Using inclusive language on agency paperwork is important for the client experience. Trainings and workshops need to be available for current social workers. In addition, information about language can be included in social work courses and on course syllabi. The themes from this research show that language is the client’s experience, it is an action that social workers take, as well as a form of empowerment. THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS iv Dedication/Acknowledgements This banded dissertation is dedicated to Ardy. You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars. Your endless love, encouragement, support, and red-pen markings have made this what it is. I would like to acknowledge several people who were a bright light in this process. My adviser, Dr Catherine Marrs Fuchsel, is one of the most supportive and encouraging people I have ever known. Her guidance and instruction were unmatched as I embarked on this journey. My Golden girls, Dana, Samantha, ZaDonna, and Carolyn, are some of the deepest soul sisters I could have ever dreamed to find. I would not have made it through this program without them. My friend, confidant, colleague, soul mate, Robin, quite literally made this happen for me from helping me find the time, resources, coffee, money, food, and sleep to soldier on to the finish line. She took many things off my to-do list and helped my say no when I needed to. My parents encouraged this first-generation college student to keep going and have been proud every step of the way. All of the faculty who have molded and taught me on this journey have made an impact on me as a person, as a social worker, and as an educator. It has been a privilege to learn from each of them. And finally, to all my participants and all of the social workers who show up for their clients day in and day out. THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS v Table of Contents Title Page ................................................................................................................................ i Abstract .................................................................................................................................. ii Dedication/Acknowledgements ............................................................................................ iv List of Tables ........................................................................................................................ vi Introduction .............................................................................................................................1 Conceptual Framework ...........................................................................................................3 Summary of Banded Dissertation Products ............................................................................5 Discussion ...............................................................................................................................6 Implications for Social Work ....................................................................................10 Implications for Future Research ..............................................................................12 Comprehensive Reference List .............................................................................................14 Examining My Place in Social Work History: A Scholarly Personal Narrative ..................22 The Language of Social Workers: Narratives of Social Justice from the Field....................47 The Language of Social Workers .........................................................................................93 THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS vi List of Tables Table 1: Participant Demographics .......................................................................................90 THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS 1 The Language of Social Workers: Narratives of Social Justice from the Field Researchers from various fields have studied language for several decades, but the field of social work has not spent considerable effort on this topic until recently. Social workers have started to research whether language can be transformative when working with clients. Social justice is a foundational concept in the field of social work, but practitioners may have difficulty understanding how word choice is a part of social justice (Hawkins et al., 2001). For this dissertation, language is defined as the words, “used to establish membership of a group and conversely to restrict access to outsiders; to indicate allegiance to a cause; to establish, and sometimes coerce into, a position; to restrict communication and the type of communication; to influence the construction of a situation” (Gregory & Holloway, 2005, p. 38). Based on this definition, language is a tool that social workers can use to engage and include their clients in the helping process. Language is also what allows social workers to understand their clients’ thoughts and feelings and also understand themselves (Bloom et al., 1991). Social service agencies all have unique paperwork, processes, and cultures which includes the language used. Often, the language used in an agency is formed by the dominant social group. Service users may not be a part of that group and must alter or change their story to fit in the agency structure. Service users may then use the words and language identified within the agency when they tell their own stories (Saleebey, 1994; Vojak, 2009). Each individual has differences when speaking and using language. This difference in word choice comes from their own life experiences and education (Bloom et al., 1991). Social workers must understand not only their own word choice, but also the word choice of their clients and that this an important component in the working relationship. THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS 2 The literature about language for social workers is largely conceptual and lacks research to support the claims. Many authors point out the importance of language, however, it is important to note that people also generally understand what another person is saying regardless of specific word choice. This banded dissertation focuses on social justice for clients and less about understanding through communication. This is an important distinction because language is a vast field and could be studied in a multitude of ways. The minimal studies related to the social work field that are available have used varying methodologies from surveys to longitudinal studies as well as collecting documents from agencies. Three distinct products were developed from the body of knowledge presented and framed within

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