Usc Sowk 503 Critique

SOWK 503- Spring 2014

Assignment #1: Article Critique January 27, 2014

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to critique and assess Ecological and Systems Theories that influence development and growth of resilience as studied in Ungar’s article titled Families as Navigators: Facilitating Culturally and Contextually Specific Expressions of Resilience. The analysis will relate ecological and cultural hypotheses as recognized in the examination, using clinical evidence and research methods to address the applicable concern. Upon completion of this critique, the reader will comprehend both similarities and differences across cultures and contexts in how an ecological model of resilience has been shown to help predict successful development of resilience under adversity (Ungar, 2010).

Main Point and Key Arguments

The article’s primary purpose is to offer practitioners and policy makers a broader perspective on principles for the design and implementation of culturally relevant practices that promote growth and development of resilience. The author further wants to prove that resilience is contingent upon a family’s ability to access resources that honor well- being, and that healthy outcomes are achieved when an appreciation for diversity and sensitivity to differences is present. Ungar’s (2014) key argument is that treatment for children and families who have been marginalized by means of racism, poverty and violence, is narrowly focused using one-dimensional ideologies that are based on “middle-class, able-bodied, heterosexual males of Anglo-European descent, living in a wealthy western nation (Ungar, 2010).” Combined with this argument is the belief that the aforementioned way of managing care fails to see the broader methods of healing and resilience in people’s lives.

The subsequent argument suggests, resilience is more likely to be revealed when we provide access to resources, support and...