Introduction
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical approaches to the problem of violence and deviant behavior overall among young people. As will be demonstrated later, this problem appears to be widespread not only in the United States but all over the world, especially in developing countries. The current social tensions stay on the agenda, as 2020 has shown with the Black Lives Matter movement and opposition to it in American society. Tolerance to violence and aggression is growing, which contributes to their popularization among young people. Therefore, social workers’ responsibility to make young individuals the successful elements of society increases accordingly. Firstly, this paper defines the client system under discussion; secondly – it examines the poll of relevant theories related to this system from various perspectives: human behavior and social environment as well as social policy. Thirdly, the essay discusses the impact of micro and macro theories on practice and evaluates the intervention chosen. Finally, the issues of social and economic justice, ethics and values, and diversity are discussed in the context of the problem raised.
Client System
To begin with, it is vital to define the client system under discussion and to describe the case in relation to which all the theories are examined in this piece. The chosen group is the youngsters prone to deviant, aggressive, and violent behavior. It also seems necessary to rationalize the choice of this social group. According to the Chicago Center for Youth Violence Prevention, almost a quarter of high-school youths have experienced physical fights engagement, while 16 percent are reported to carry weapons (2018). Meanwhile, the problem appears to be complex as various factors are proved to affect this scheme of behavior: “the contribution of individual factors; the effects of disturbed family dynamics; parental characteristics and parenting practices; the impact of exposure to violence and the influence of attachment relationships” (Reebye 2015, 16). Therefore, deviant and aggressive behavior among young people is not only an extremely widespread phenomenon, but also it is an issue that is characterized by multiple factors.
Human Behavior and the Social Environment
It is essential to define the theories applicable to the case under discussion. On the one hand, the psychoanalytical approach can be used as a behavioral theoretical framework to analyze adolescent aggression. Explaining human behavior driven by unconscious motives, this theory sees “symptoms—even the cruelest or irrational behavior… meaningful in terms of assuming a vital function of regulating the self or interpersonal relationships” (Taubner et al. 2017, 1). On the other hand, cognitivism also appears to be relevant in this context: basically, the approach focuses on the evolution of individual thinking. As Novaco explains it, “cognitive processing of provoking experiences can alternatively prolong or disengage anger, the behavioral expression of which is governed by social rules” (2017, 1). Hence, various behavioral theories can be helpful in the analysis of adolescent aggression.
Social Policy and Macro Theories
However, one of the critical questions always lies in the realm of government involvement in the problem-solution process. Indeed, it seems that the current United States healthcare system, frequently criticized, does not pay enough attention to such niche problems. Nevertheless, authorities could promote structured group intervention programs that could be “used not only with youth presenting with aggressive behaviors but also with those identified as at risk for aggressive behavior problems to prevent negative outcomes” (Barry & Lochman 2018, 3). What is more, the government could finance the parent training programs that support families, provide therapy, and improve communication and build trust within them (Barry & Lochman 2018). According to Duque, another issue that requires urgent solutions by the authorities is the creation of multipurpose policies for studies development of the studies in the field (2012). The problem is that there appears to be a lack of scientific evidence on the early prevention programs targeting individuals’ aggression (Duque 2012). In a word, there are various paths that authorities may consider in order to improve the situation in which children with aggression control issues and their families have to live.
Macro-level social work requires indirect and large-scale help to the vulnerable, the examples of which have just been presented above. One of the most popular macro theories is the system approach that focuses on individual-environment dynamics. It helps social workers to understand and, thus, work on interpersonal relations in any case. The empowerment method is one of the possible ways to bring this approach to life: “empowerment-based practice actuates a strengths perspective, centering the social work process toward competence promotion and away from the stigmatizing notion of deficit reduction” (St. Ambrose University 2020, 4). In a word, it can be applied to the problem of aggression control among the youngsters in order to overcome the stigma around this group. Therefore, social policies have a lot to do with macro theories, and the system approach in its various dimensions is relevant for the social work in the chosen case.
Micro Theories, Research and Evaluation
What is more, the theory of social learning appears to be one of the most relevant therapies for the case of young people’s aggression and non-conventional behavior. It can be understood as a “social, behavioral approach that emphasizes the reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental determinants of human behavior” (Wortley 2016, 3). The theory is normally applied for the analysis of deviant, even criminal, and violent behavior (Wortley 2016). However, one cannot deny the applicability of client-centered therapy, which is proven by various studies (Turpyn et al. 2015; Weikert 2010). Speaking of the direct practice skills in this context, an ability to have a meaningful conversation or social interaction of any kind is considered to be a direct practice skill (Pomeroy & Garcia 2017). As for the intervention evaluation, the client-centered approach is proved to be highly effective in the relevant cases of overcoming adolescent aggression. As Elliot writes about it, the therapy has significant pre-post client change, and its long-term implications appear to be more stable than in other cases (2016). Thus, the social learning intervention and client-centered approaches appear to be the ideal theoretical visions of the case under discussion.
Issues of Social and Economic Justice, Diversity, Ethics and Values
Moreover, the chosen intervention is empowering; however, in this realm of social work, there are many aspects to be considered but for the psychological work and the actual help. For instance, there are racial disparities that create stigmas around specific groups: African Americans are the leading group in homicide among 10 – 24-year old individuals, followed by Hispanics, American Indians, and Alaska Natives (CDC 2016). Interventions, in this case, uncover the disparities between different genders, too, while according to the studies, “sex differences in physical aggression decrease as societal gender inequality increased” (Nivette et al. 2019, 82).
Speaking of diversity, social learning interventions are considered to be especially effective when targeted at African American males (Ross 2017). The question of ethics gains importance in the context of adolescent aggression and disparities within the system (Nivette et al. 2019). Thus, the values of social justice and the importance of human relationships appear to be essential (NASW 2017). Therefore, this field is another dimension to which social work ethical principles should spread.
Conclusion
To conclude, this piece analyzes the poll of theory relevant to the analysis of adolescent aggression treatment. Tolerance towards violence has not decreased by 2020, even in developed countries. That is the reason why social workers end up even more responsible for the aggression in society. The client system under discussion is the young population prone to aggressive and deviant behavior. This analysis has proved the applicability of various theoretical frameworks: client-centered therapy and social learning interventions. Empowerment is also demonstrated to be an effective strategy, especially in overcoming the social stigmas on the young individuals prone to deviant behavior. The study shows the ways policymakers could contribute to the increase in the quality of treatment. The United States government, for instance, could support the training programs for the families that need therapy and go through communicational challenges in the context of adolescent aggression. What is more, the problem requires more examination despite the significant poll of studies demonstrated above. This problem, like many others, has various social and diversity issues related to racial and sex disparities.
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