Alienation Theory and Its Implications for Social Workers and Clients

This essay delves into the application of alienation theory within the field of social work, specifically examining its implications for social workers and their clients. It explores how alienation, as conceptualized by Karl Marx, manifests in the lives of individuals facing poverty and mental health challeng...Read More

Alienation theory and it implication to
the social worker

Table of Contents
Essay................................................................................................................................................1
References .......................................................................................................................................8

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Essay
There are various social issues to which people are suffered with. Thus, it is required to
implement effective development theories on these situations. There are some social workers
who work hard for the betterment of people affected with the social issues. In this report,
alienation implication to the social worker in working with people living in poverty and with
mental disorder will be analysed. Further, actions taken by the social workers in changing the
approach will be examined.
According to the view of Marx, (2015) social theory refer to the use of abstract and often
complex theoretical framework for describing, explaining and analysing the social world. The
good social theory helps in revealing things which are hidden. A social theory is considered as a
branch of sociology, as it has several interdisciplinary facets. The social work is effective as it
helps in delivery and sustainable social development. As people look for the common problem
such as income poverty (Popper, 2014). As it lead to impact ability of people to have access to
the basic services such as health, education and food etc. There are child labour who are reported
in the urban and rural areas. Along with this, there are many other problem such as poor
infrastructure and unreliable transport. Poverty is defined as a lack of sufficient income due to
which it becomes tough to fulfil the basic needs of life and it is consistent with the norms of the
society in which people live. People who suffer with mental illness had faced many barriers in
their lifetime which involves stigma and discrimination (Veblen, 2015). As it lead to prevent
them from getting education and employment. Due to mental illness it becomes tough for the
people to take education and career path which result in diminished opportunities.
As per the view of Sue, Rasheed and Rasheed, (2015) A range of sociological
perspectives and political ideologies relevant to social work theory and practice. The role of the
social worker is to help poor people so that they can come out from this type problems and
challenges. It is a fact that social work lead to the contribution of the growth and development of
people so that they can overcome from poverty. The people who had an idea of social work they
are directly linked with the humanitarian work. It is claimed by respondents that social worker
can be found at the place of worship, in the villages and hospital (Hepworth, Rooney and Strom-
Gottfried, 2016). Social workers missed in their experience is the responses which is related to
the incompetent assistance instead of in professional manner in the way intervention is
conducted. In context to the culturally relevant practice there are most social workers held the

view of culture which has a moderate effect on social development. Alienation is referred to the
sense of powerlessness, isolation and meaninglessness experience by human beings when they
are confronted with the social institution and the condition it cannot be controlled. Social policy
is referred to the development and welfare of society and protecting them from the different
types of issues. In contrary to this,Rubin and Babbie, (2016) presented the critique statements
and said the social influence on the child is due to their upbringing. Also, the environment in
which they are developed is also a major factor that accounts in these issues. These problems
impacts on the psychological factors and turned out to leave a considerable influence over them.
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On the other hand, Reamer, (2013) stated that it is related to the government approach in
respect to the development and welfare of society (Krumer-Nevo, 2015). As social people
needed to have practical method which help in improving the lives of poor people. However, it is
not doubt that social worker is deeply rooted and they are shaped by the socio political context. It
can be stated that good practice is not truth but they are related with the economic and political
context. Reamer, (2013) has suggested that social worker work with the service user but in the
condition that is not depended on them. Further, at the time of discussing the political influences
it is important to ensure that the piece of work are the matter of the relation which is among
social work and politics. The social work is basically driven from the different degree by politics
and it follows the legislation effectively. In the case of Clement Attlee and Jacqui Smith there are
some evidence related to the political influences is observed and the way they effect the
contemporary social workers. It is important that social worker should work in non oppressive
way and challenges structural and inequalities (Reid, 2017). The above presented is one of the
example of political influences social work and they way it is deal. Along with this one of the
next essential point which can influences the politics is related to the develop administration
which shape the politics of social services. Central government has taken action and it shape the
capacity of the politics of social work but its delivery of provisions is lies in the local authority.
It reflects the relation between political and social work.
On the other hand, Casey, (2017) stated that, in context of social work in mental health is
related to the delivering statutory services (Casey, 2017). Social workers in the adult mental
health lead to continue to play important role in respect to manage risk and complexity and
reduce the harm. In social work it is about natural support which is provided to people who are
suffering from the mental illness.
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Karl Marx is one of the most prolific and influential thinker. It is because the creation of
classless society which is guided with the proper equality and democracy. The theory of Karl
Marx that is Alienation theory argued that workers are treated as the commodities under this
system (Payne, 2015). Further the workers are sophisticated with the work and they are generally
controlled by the supervisor. Further it argued that abject poverty of workers which shows that
they do cannot live comfortable life. Marx also joined the political club which advocated
political democracy.
The Marx also refereed to alienated labour, or economic alienation. As Alienated labour formed
the important basis of Marx'. The Marx looks on human labour in such a way it distinguished
from non human animals (Rubin and Babbie, 2016).
The Marx took involvement in the study of the alienation in capitalist society and it has four
aspects of Alienation that are, from himself from the process of production and from the
community of his fellow men and workers alienation (Hepworth, Rooney and Strom-Gottfried,
2016). Further it can be stated that Karl Marx believed that labour was at the heart of humanity
and the condition under which they worked. Further he also felt that alienation was an organized
effect of capitalist economy which effort workers and also developed the sense of isolation in the
people who are working there.
In its first aspects it suggests that product which is believed that help in creating a
positive connection instead hold the negative disconnection. According to the theory of Marx,
people who work for others instead of themselves then it looks that it is working in an alienation
situation in respect to receive their basic needs and wants (Marx, 2015). Further, in the second
aspect which is proposed by the Marx it shows that alienation occurs from the activity of work.
The product of work which is created by them lead to occur the alienation. The theory of Marx
is linked that proposed that humans are work for survival that work is required to be done.
While in the third form it shows that alienation from species being meaning people become
detached from their persona creativity and in the sense the heart of humanity. He stated that
activity of work required workers spiritual energy so that at the time when worker was alienated
from practices then their basic needs cannot be fulfilled (Krumer-Nevo, 2015). The last for of
alienation in the Marx's alienation theory is known as the alienation from others. At the time
when workers is forces to produce a product for others then they are stated as alien to the work.
Therefore, it is a way through which people become alienated from the other people. The
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Marxism in social work includes deformation, derivations, revision and distortion which is
suffered from the thinking of the Marxism in a less period. Apart from this Marxism also
suggested that social work is politics (Reamer, 2013). The theory of Marx is also stated as the
origin of conflict theory. Its works is described in the three form that is political, ideology,
sociology and philosophy. Its three effective theories are known as the theory of historical
materialism and theory about capitalism and paid labour alienation.
According to the paid labour theory there are two condition is proposed that is work
express humankind true essence and work is performed as paid labour. According to the view of
Marx human free, productive work is the key express with the special essence with the true
nature. It is a place where human different from the animals (Reid, 2017). The way work is done
is shows all the things which are done in practices directly shows the consciousness and
understanding to the human being. However, Hepworth, Rooney and Strom-Gottfried, (2016)
stated that at the same time all are practices directly get affected by out understanding and
consciousness. Therefore, in this manner the self realisation and knowledge is get closely related
with each other (Hepworth, Rooney and Strom-Gottfried, 2016). Marx said that paid labour are
known as the unnatural form for work. The paid laboured unable to decide what is requited to
produces and the way it can be produced. Labour contribution is exchanged with the salary and it
produced itself in different manner. The product is interrupted due to the work ethics, people and
labourer. In alienation is includes people experiencing, seeing or feeling their surroundings
which is basically different from themselves. In an individual life alienated one experience is
known as alien in their life. Along with this of people do not have control on the things which
they have created then they become aliened from that particular products (Padgett, 2016). Not
only the labour but also the owner of the products is alienated from the work and products. The
way people see themselves also affected the way an individual see to them. In contrary to this,
(Whitehead and Arthur, 2010) argued that the focus of the youth justice system on the individual
and family responsibility is more tougher than the crime attempted. Also, they are preoccupied
with the risk assessment and prediction.
In addition to this, as per the views of Sue, Rasheed and Rasheed, (2015), social theory
helps social workers in identifying and working on the discrimination, inequality and
disadvantages present in the societies. There are different basis on which this alienation theory
can be used, such as race, gender, colour, orphan, etc. There exist different factors that
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influence a person to face isolation or breakdown. According to the alienation theory there are
different kind of separation such as isolation of a person from hos/her nature as a free producer,
or creator. Separation of the person from the society he/she belongs, etc. There are various
reason that causes this feeling to the people in which they feel isolated from others. The
foundation of them are any type of disadvantages, discrimination or inequality faced at different
levels of life. Religions and cultures are regarded as the major bases on which all these three
illegal things are performed. There are four different forms in which a person may feel alienated
and they are: from products of own labour, from production or work, from species-being, or from
humanity and human potential or it can be from other persons.
This theory is focused on maintaining diversity at the different places such as health
opportunities, business places, educational institutions, etc. (Rubin and Babbie, 2016).
According to the Mertonial model, alienation is the result of exposure to conflicting social
norms. This was presented on the basis of increased discrimination cases ion the country. The
negative impacts of this isolation were to both the employees and the employers. On the other, in
context to the poverty and disadvantages, it has been observed that separation of people on the
basis of any discrimination or inequality raises the poverty in the society. This lack of basic
resource further enhances various other issues such a slack of health opportunities, education,
employments, etc. In addition to this, health inequalities as per the alienation theory can be
accounted by the social workers by reflecting the negative freedom given to the political parties.
Henceforth, social workers are required to pay attention on the alienation theory so that they can
save people from isolating themselves which further accounts to the other major issues
(Hepworth, Rooney and Strom-Gottfried, 2016).
In respect to develop understanding related to the focused on people production of life's
commodities. Human life are needed the existence of food, drink and clothes etc. Hence for
developing the knowledge regarding this it is important to have these materialistic condition and
the way production is organised in the starting. As the force of development Marx emphasised an
economic condition (Miley, O'Melia and DuBois, 2016). Further Marx argued that on the
superstructure base has a fundamental influence.
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According to this theory Marx viewed capitalism as an historical phenomenon. In the
Marxist economy profit play significant role which state that worker produces more than the
requirement and the things which is necessary in respect to reproduce the work labour. Marx
used that term terminology in respect to describe capitalism which is experienced by an
individual worker. Further it is also appeared in a social holistic perspective (Lee and Hudson,
2017). Further Marx also studied that inhuman consequence of capitalism and points out
alienation in this context. Therefore, it aimed to provide tools in respect to understand the driving
force in respect to change the society. It also describes the way capitalist means of production
alienates the workers. Along with the way it influences interpersonal relation which are valued in
respect to the market.
In social work, conflict models is with roots in Marxist theory which is used for
understanding the casual connection at macro level and the conflicts of interest and its effects on
the individual of being in positioned of powerlessness (Sue, Rasheed and Rasheed,2015). The
community work is introduced to the discipline as a reaction for viewing that social problems
were causes only because of individual. Reason. Conflict theory is used in respect to analyse
social development and the conflict of interest in society. As with the help of community work it
becomes easy to analyse social development and they way of working. There are different
learning theories which focuses on the way behaviour is learned and the individual interact
within the environment (Rubin and Babbie, 2016). It is a fact that social work has welcomed the
both cognitive behaviour and conflict theory which is not transform it in new and in different
manner. Different types of conflict theory draw which shows the terminology and understanding
in context the Marxist theory. Further, conflict theory has been used with a meaning and its
contribution with” The pedagogy of the oppressed has been essential on the evolution of the
conflict theory which is generally used in social work. Marx take interest in understanding a way
powerless situation can become active and change their own situation and the society which they
are part of it. One of the theory that is feminist which focused on oppression of women and it has
liberating aspects. Along with this feminist theory also inspired social work. It helps in
developing new working method in related to the newer social movement. In social work conflict
model shows the way group problem and individual is seemed in relation to the system and
society (Hepworth, Rooney and Strom-Gottfried, 2016.). In this focus is done on the
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powerlessness and power and all the social work is directed toward the mobilisation of power in
each individual with the problem take place within the society.
In a social work empowerment is a central term. Empowerment is defined as a process in
which both power in individual and mobilisation of power for changing the conditions which
causes problems in the system and society are a goal. Conflict theory brought back community
oriented social work. Freire (1974) uses Marxist theory in its analysis and the way social
condition affect group and individual. It states that the revolutionary who fight for the freedom of
people should not become prisoner in a circle of security where it gets locked in the reality. Iin
contrary to this an indivdual is more radical cannot be completely enter into a reality. Middle
class family experienced financial problem at the time of crises due to which they faced issues
related to the poverty.
According to the view of Lee, and Hudson, (2017) In the world so many theories were
described by different author about social workers. But Marx and Alienation theory is the best
theory than others theory. In this theory author want to explain about social worker, who work in
the offices, schools, collages, universities and different different sector. It is not only for the
normal people or professional people but also all people who survive in the world. A social
worker's professional knowledge is formed in the dynamic between Tradition, social problems,
institutional construction within the social work discipline. The various models and theories
place the focus differently with regard to the individual and society. The Marx and Alienation
theory focus on Psychodynamic, learning theory and Interactional models. In The Marx and
Alienation theory is systematics and working process. In this process social worker is to
contribute to an improvement in the living situation of the people. In this process all social work
based on time, that where the contact continues over a long period or it there is a shorter then it
will be complete in less time.
A holistic approach to social work is based on people problems. First understand the
people's problems and then know the form where problems are creating. This does not mean that
the individual social worker must always work with every problems (Miley, O'Melia, and
DuBois, 2016). The social worker also has to organise with people and clients and charities to
prevent and problems. And to assure that the work was done very good and cooperative was also
very good.
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Value based social work can be described as very practically discipline, sociology
according to situation. This subdivision of the theory will analyse to social work theory and
authorization remunerative special attention to the clients, people, professional people, political
leader etc. Social theory help to the people who can not able to survive in the world and who can
not able to earn money, who can not study, who can not arrange the money for hospital
treatment. So in the theory described that how people can help them for their problems, how they
can give an good attention, how they can solve their issues. So in the theory telling by author
about solve their problems by arranging the event, social worker, who go in that area and give
such types of service to that people who survive from different problems. There is no doubt that
social work in not good or profoundly frozen and moulded by socio political matter (Rubin and
Babbie, 2016).
In this theory described that humans psychologically necessitate the living human activity
that lead to their life and future conditions. If you have spent your time for reading philosophy or
sociology, you have sure that you notices that there are some people, who contributed as much to
the social work as KARL MARX.
In contrary to this, Payne, (2015) explained that there are various drawbacks of using
this theory. They break the connectivity from humanness and denied the accurate to self
realisation inception the one-on-one to see themselves or be seen by another as nothing more
than an target in a bourgeois system of manufacture. They could not be able to fulfils their issues
which from survived people and they denied from the problems of people (Payne, 2015). The
activity of alienation causation the lives of individual in many various ways, most of which are
negative. So that negative factors affect on the theory.
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References
Marx, K., 2015. On the question of free trade. Arsalan Ahmed.
Marx, K., 2015. Capital: a critique of political economy, Volume 1. Arsalan Ahmed.
Popper, K., 2014. Conjectures and refutations: The growth of scientific knowledge. routledge.
Veblen, T., 2015. The socialist economics of Karl Marx and his followers. Read Books Ltd.
Sue, D.W., Rasheed, M.N. and Rasheed, J.M., 2015. Multicultural social work practice: A
competency-based approach to diversity and social justice. John Wiley & Sons.
Hepworth, D.H., Rooney, R.H., Rooney, G.D. and Strom-Gottfried, K., 2016. Empowerment
Series: Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Nelson Education.
Krumer-Nevo, M., 2015. Poverty-aware social work: A paradigm for social work practice with
people in poverty. British Journal of Social Work, 46(6), pp.1793-1808.
Reamer, F.G., 2013. The digital and electronic revolution in social work: Rethinking the meaning
of ethical practice. Ethics and social welfare, 7(1), pp.2-19.
Reid, C., 2017. The wounds of exclusion: Poverty, women’s health, and social justice. Routledge.
Casey, K., 2017. I answer with my life: Life histories of women teachers working for social
change. Routledge.
Payne, M., 2015. Modern social work theory. Oxford University Press.
Rubin, A. and Babbie, E.R., 2016. Empowerment series: Research methods for social work.
Cengage Learning.
Hepworth, D.H., Rooney, R.H., Rooney, G.D. and Strom-Gottfried, K., 2016. Empowerment
Series: Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Nelson Education.
Padgett, D.K., 2016. Qualitative methods in social work research (Vol. 36). Sage Publications.
Miley, K.K., O'Melia, M.W. and DuBois, B.L., 2016. Generalist social work practice: An
empowering approach. Pearson.
Lee, J.A. and Hudson, R.E., 2017. Empowerment Approach to Social Work Treatment. Social
work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches, p.142.
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