Socialno delo, Vol. 41 (2002), Part 5
ARTICLES
The Quality of Life of Mothers in Single-parent Families: A Tentative Theory on the Basis of a Qualitative Analysis - 281, (Abstract)
Abstracts
Milko Poštrak
The Subject and Intersubjectivity
The paper is conceived interdisciplinary. It is mainly based on anthropology, on the sociological studies of the micro-macro linkages, the studies of the socialization processes and phenomenological philosophy. The focus is on the question of construction of the term "person" and its relations to the constructions of the terms "society" and "culture". With the help of Mead's, Mauss', Merleau-Ponty's and other conceptions of the person and with the concept of socialization processes the author attempts to find out how a person constructs his world and the world he or she shares with others. The conclusion is that the self-aware person is always equipped with a stock of knowledge, internalised tradition, actual experiences, etc., that are loaded in (in Mead's words) "me" (the social ego), whereas "I" (the personal ego) through the process of thinking leans on "me" and in this way communicates with others. These conclusions are the starting point for further studies.
Keywords: individual, community, culture, body-subject.
Dr. Milko Poštrak is an assistant lecturer at the University of Ljubljana School of Social Work.
Matjaž Plotajs
Social Cultural Work in Mali dom
The author initially discusses the phenomenon of creativity as the main element of social cultural work, elaborating on the notion through many authors and in several scientific perspectives. These theoretical considerations are followed by an analysis of more concrete situations and the experiences of the author in voluntary social cultural work with lightly and severely disabled people. Lastly, the author presents his vision with regard to the usefulness of creative techniques in social work, and to the future of social cultural work for the popularisation of the profession.
Keywords: social cultural work, creative techniques, social care.
Matjaž Plotajs is a student of the University of Ljubljana School of Social Work.
Gabi Bešlin, Nataša Šumak
The Quality of Life of Mothers in Single-parent Families: A Tentative Theory on the Basis of a Qualitative Analysis
In Slovenia, every sixth family is a single-parent one and many remain so. Te authors were interested how mothers see and feel about their families. They proceeded from interviews with eight women. Their codified their statements, determined their notions and linked them to categories, on the basis of which they wrote their tentative theory. They focused on the following bundles: the living conditions, the social network and relations within it, the mother's self-image and self-care. They found the quality of the mothers' lives depends on the socio-economic status (education, living standard), on the ramified and supportive social network, and on the extent in which they take care of their needs.
Keywords: social network, self-care, living conditions, self-image.
Gabriella Bešlin and Nataša Šumak are social workers. Nataša Šumak works as a counsellor in the elementary schools Mala Nedelja and Razkrižje.
Vesna Šiplič in Darja Kadiš
Psychosocial Aspect of Aging
The first part of the paper discusses the fast prolongation of life expectancy. The consequence is the aging of society. Thus in Slovenia there is lately more and more talk about aging and the related problems. In our situation, the attitude towards old age and the generation gap push old people to the margin, isolation and uselessness. But if society is to make progress, it must have systemic models for the coexistence of the old and the young. The paper also gives some observations of how the care for the aged is undertaken in Slovenia. Old people are and will increasingly be present at all levels of social life. It will be necessary to establish a communication, to illuminate needs, and in general to change our attitude towards them. They are a part of ourselves, of our culture, and we are therefore obliged to help them satisfy their needs.
Keywords: gerontology, ageism, self-help, social needs, intergenerational links.
Vesna Šiplič and Darja Kadiš are social workers and students of the postgraduate specialisation programme "Management in social work" at the University of Ljubljana School of Social Work.
Tea Smonker
Homelessness of Women and Children, the Victims of Violence
The housing problem of women and children, the victims of violence, is a form of homelessness overlooked by the state. In Slovenia in the last decade the women's movement has helped establish a network of organisations designed for women and children who are in distress and often also victims of some kind of violence. When a women with children is dismissed from such an organisation, she steps on the difficult path of solving the housing problem, which may end in temporary solutions like placement in a centre for the homeless or an expensive privately rented apartment. Children may be separated from the mother and placed in foster case. And finally, they may return to the violent partner. When the loss of housing is accompanied by, for instance, psychosocial or physical distress, this considerably increases the risk of a mental crisis. Now, gradually, solutions are being shaped also on the level of the wider community. The void of the long-lasting wait for systemic solutions may be filled by a variety of social work approaches, which would make the life of this population bearable.
Keywords: vulnerability, distress, community, mental health, networks.
Tea Smonker is a social worker, employed in the Social Chamber of Slovenia; she is also a co-organiser of work in the group Maternal Homes and Refuges in Slovenia.