Rural Social Work in the 21st Century: Serving Individuals, Families, and Communities in the Countryside

by Michael Daley

Overview

Despite current population movement towards urban areas, rural people remain a significant yet under-served population. These communities share a rich and distinctive culture, but also face specific problems including higher rates of poverty, increased rates of obesity, and decreased access to health coverage and social services. Rural Social Work in the 21st Century, Second Edition provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge, skills, values, ethics, and issues central to the practice of social work in small towns and rural communities.

The updated second edition features a new chapter on social, economic, and environmental justice. An expanded history chapter presents new information on the use of poor farms to serve dependent rural people in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Later chapters discuss rural social services, a model for rural social work practice, and ethical practice. The final chapters focus on the practice of rural social work and challenges for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190937676
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	03/20/2020
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Michael R. Daley, PhD, LMSW-AP, ACSW, Chair & Professor, Department of Social Work Texas A&M University-Central Texas; Editor-in Chief, Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work. He is a past president of both the National Rural Social Work Caucus and the Association of Social Work Baccalaureate Program Directors (BPD).

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Rural Communities and Social Work: An Introduction
Why Rural Social Work?
What Is Rural?
Is Rurality Confined to Small Towns and Communities?
What Is Unique About Rural Social Work?
Rewards and Challenges of Rural Social Work
Conclusion
2. Rural Culture and Behavior
Rural Values
Microsystems
Mezzosystems
Macrosystems
Change in the 21st Century
Conclusion
3. Diversity in Rural Communities
Rural Diversity
African Americans
Hispanics
Native Americans
Sexual Orientation: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
Senior Citizens
Conclusion
4. Rural Social Welfare Policy
Social Welfare Policy
Social Policy and Rural People
Effects of Social Policy on Rural Communities
Identifying and Addressing Disparity in Rural Policy
Conclusion
5. Social Welfare Services in Rural Communities
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Rural Health Care Services
Child Welfare
Domestic Violence
Services for Veterans
Services for Immigrants
Conclusion
6. History and Development of Rural Social Work
Origins of the Rural Myth
Industrialization and the Rise of Social Work
Serving the Dependent in Smaller Towns and Rural Areas in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Country Lifers and the Early Concerns About Rural Communities: 1900-1920
The Growth of Rural Social Work Practice and the Great Depression: The 1920s and 1930s
Retreat from Rural Assistance: The 1940s and 1950s
The Renaissance of Rural Social Work: The 1960s and 1970s
Continued Growth: The 1980s and 1990s
The 21st Century
Reconnecting with the Past: Rural Social Work Then and Now
Conclusion
7. A Model for Rural Social Work
Rurality and the Practice of Social Work in Small Communities
Rural Social Work: Is It Different from Urban Practice?
Generalist Social Work Versus Community-Based Practice
Rural Strengths and Assets
Rural Relationships and Social Work Practice
A Model for Rural Social Work
Down-Home Model of Social Work
Applying the Down-Home Model
Advanced Rural Practice
Conclusion
8. Ethical Rural Practice
The Rural Fishbowl as a Context for Ethical Practice
Social Work Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making
Dual Relationships
Confidentiality
Competency and Adequacy of Practice
Personal and Professional Identity
Relationships with Colleagues
Ethical Rural Practice
Conclusion
9. Rural Social Work Practice
The Person-in-Environment Perspective
The Strengths Perspective
Generalist Practice and Social Systems
Problem-Solving
Characteristics of Rural Social Workers
Conclusion
10. Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice for Rural Communities
Social Justice and Rural Communities
Economic Justice for Rural Areas
Environmental Justice for Rural Communities
What to Do? Addressing Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice for Rural Communities
Conclusion
11. Challenges for the Future
Rural Communities: Perception, Reality, and Demands of the 21st Century
Rural People and Change for the 21st Century
Social Work in Rural Practice
Conclusion
Index

Editorial Reviews

"The book is an inspiring reflective, strength-based and contemporary examination of social work practice with people living in rural communities and with rural lifestyles. It conveys and captures the essential intersectionality of diversity, knowledge, values and skills for working with this population. Moreover, it enhances the consciousness of readers in understanding the true character of rural people and their lifestyles." — Freddie L. Avant, Stephen F. Austin State University

"Dr. Daley has scored a hat trick. His Rural Social Work expands the knowledge base, offers useful practice tips, and paints invaluable pictures of rural life and culture. But he had me when he quoted Hazel Dickens!" — Sam Hickman, NASW West Virginia

"Once again, Michael offers a comprehensive overview of rural social work practice within the United States. This edition adds a much needed chapter on social, economic, and environmental justice given the often disproportionate injustices experienced within rural communities. A must read for any social work practitioner working in, researching about, or teaching on content related to rural communities." — Karen Rice, Millersville University

From the Publisher