Japanese Journal of Social Welfare

Human Rights and Social Welfare : In Support of Citizen-initiated Activities

Tokuji Yamanta

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 1-9
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_1

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

At the 44th Japan Social Welfare Society's Symposium, I had the opportunity to make a presentation on the subject of child welfare. Reporting on the current violation of children's human rights, I quoted a letter from a bullied child's mother. Furthermore, I illustrated with slides obituary cases of child abuse showing examples of foster parents bringing up children in need of protection. Through concrete and practical examples, I predict the principal organization of human rights activity in our country is likely to change in the future. We will see a shift from the administrative hands of the government to the citizens' hands in the form of a non-profit organization.

View full abstract

Download PDF (630K)
Some Issues on the Human Rights concerning Welfare for the Aged

Hideo Oguni

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 10-20
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_10

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Download PDF (741K)
HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL WELFARE : A GENDER PERSPECTIVE

Kiyoe Sugimoto

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 21-31
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_21

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

Human rights should be applied universally, yet historically, they have been done so prejudicially like Wealthy People's Rights, White Men's Rights and/or Male Rights. Among all, the issue for Male Rights has persistently remained as the most unconquerable to today. Recently, however, thanks to the feminism movement and its expanding effects, they have initiated to declare Women's Rights contractively. Specially, at United Nations level, coming in 1990, they initiated to proclaim Women's Rights vigorously. Those proclamations are concentrated on the issues related to sexuality such as Violence against Women, Prostitution Issue in Asian Countries, Sexual Slaves under the World War II, Female Genital Mutilation, Reproductive Heath and Reproductive Revolution, etc. In social welfare field, although Human Rights Issue has been implemented at its early stage, it is hard to say that Women's Rights Issue itself is positively implemented. The reason behind is that in social welfare field, with the exception of women's protection field, women are treated not as women themselves, but (1) dependence of male earner or care taker and/or (2) accompaniment with family view. In other words, what social welfare defines living rights, is a particular issue only belonging to male who is a breadwinner of family. In the meantime, however, in social welfare field, newly generated approach to Women's Rights and their issues is beginning to be seen. This is because that what hasn't been identified as issues before, is coming up to the surface, then those are becoming quite crucial at the same time. Issues identified here, can be summarized to (1) issues related to sexuality (domestic violence and child abuse), (2) single mother issues and (3) elderly families care issues.

View full abstract

Download PDF (715K)
Poverty and Human Rights : The Problem of Homelessness and the Public Assistance Law Cases

Shun'ichi Fueki

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 32-44
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_32

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

Main issues indicated in this paper are as shown under ; (1) Infringement the rights of homeless persons. (2) Judicial remedies for the rights of homeless persons by the Public Assistance Law Cases. (3) Present Issue ; Deprivation of 'a place to live' and the way of practical actions to realize 'the housing rights' of homeless persons in the community.

View full abstract

Download PDF (856K)
The Relationship of Social Welfare and Liberalism : a comparative study of the liberalism of J. S. Mill, L. T. Hobhouse and A. Sen

Shinya Iwasaki

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 45-64
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_45

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

In order to examine the relationship between social welfare and liberalism, we have to ask how liberalism can be found in social welfare. Based on I. Berlin's classification in "Two Concepts of Liberty" (1958), this paper offers three viewpoints of liberalism and makes a comparative study of each looking at the 'essence of liberty', 'ways to maintain liberty' and 'human suppositions of liberty'. It then goes on to discuss how each of these viewpoints relates to social welfare. Firstly, J. S. Mill's belief is explored ; that of negative freedom (freedom from) as the essence of liberty. This is followed by L. T. Hobhouse who recognizes the significance of positive freedom (freedom to) and finally A. Sen who regards both types of freedom as important. In Mill's and Hobhouse's concepts of liberalism, liberalism and social welfare can only be considered to have a mutually exclusive relationship. This is because, within these two concepts of liberalism, liberty is maintained by the establishment of an untouchable 'freedom sanctuary' that will not allow national intervention nor intervention from other power organizations, including social welfare agencies. However for social welfare, what is of great importance is to ensure the freedom of those people who have been left on the outside of the practical applications of Mill's and Hobhouse's liberalism. On this point, the author believes that Sen's proposition on 'well-being freedom' in relation to 'capability', while it carries many unsolved issues, illuminates fundamental ways by which to harmonize social welfare and liberalism.

View full abstract

Download PDF (1240K)
Case Study on Application of Electronic Communication Aids Equipments for The Severely Physically Disabled

Yumi Kunou

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 65-80
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_65

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate how electronic communication aids equipments were daily used by the severely physically disabled. Electronic communication aids equipments are those that help the severely physically disabled, such as people with quadriplegic and upper extremities, to communicate with others. In 1990, the electronic communication aids equipments were included in the provision items of equipments for the severely physically disabled. However, few studies have investigated how the equipments were daily used by the disabled after provision without a specialist's help. In the present study, four electronic communication aids equipments users (two patients in the hospital, one homebound disabled, and one patient at home) were investigated. The main results were as follows : (1) Little information as to the communication aids equipments was available to most of the disabled ; (2) It was very difficult for two disabled of the cases to learn how to use the communication aids equipments by lacking of both physical and mental abilities ; (3) With patient's deteriorating decease it became more and more difficult for her to use the communication aids equipments ; and (4) Adjusting the communication aids equipments in detail according to individual condition was indispensable to practical use. For the reasons mentioned above, it was suggested that the coordinator who knew the mechanics, assessed the user's conditions and could adjust both sides was very important for more appropriate utilization of the electronic communication aids equipments.

View full abstract

Download PDF (1041K)
Life-modeled Social Work Practice with the Practitioner's Organization : Formation and Empowerment of a Within-Organization Informal Action System

Keiko Yokota, Shigeo Tatsuki

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 81-98
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_81

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

When a social work practitioner intends to influence and change his or her own agency's organizational structure, it is imperative to understand the structural characteristics of the organization and its mandated tasks. Eugene Litwak proposed a conceptual framework to identify optimal matching between the tasks of daily living and the corresponding service delivery systems ranging from a primary group to bureaucratic organizations. However, Litwak's model failed to address the existence and its importance of informal groups within formal human service organizations. Withinorganization informal groups play an especially important role when practitioners plan to influence an agency's formal decision making process and its mandated service delivery system. This paper presents a case study in which the first author was involved in an informal group formation process within the agency and in that group's subsequent empowerment. This process finally led to a formal organizational change. In addition to Litwak's organizational analysis model, this paper demonstrates the usefulness of the life model of social work practice in working not only with individuals and families at a micro level, but also with the practitioners' own agency at a mezzo level. The interrelationship between the practice and research is also discussed from the view point of action research.

View full abstract

Download PDF (1066K)
Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy With Young Adult Epilepsy Patients

Takahiko Kawamura

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 99-114
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_99

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

Epilepsy, one of the most misunderstood and stigmatizing disorders, has a significant impact on people's psychological development. The impact seems greater especially when they are adolescents or young adults - since that is the most difficult time to be different. Being different causes a lot of emotional stress, such as fear, anxiety, shame, and depression, undermining many areas of their social lives. In addition, social stigma and discrimination clearly restrict their equal social rights and opportunities. Despite these psychosocial problems, very little attention has been paid to this population in the social work literature. In this study, cognitive-behavioral group therapy has been practiced for the period of one year as an effective intervention for five young adult epilepsy patients who have had several emotional stresses. Besides a general supportive group-sharing style and social skills training, use of cognitive therapy is highly emphasized in order to teach these members how to manage their emotional stress. Specific techniques and worker's roles are discussed in each stage with some examples. From this study, I believe that the cognitive-behavioral group therapy for this population has been effective and helps them deal with their emotional stress and become more self-sufficient in the society.

View full abstract

Download PDF (903K)
Reconsideration of Studies of Family Welfare by Okamura : Issues in the Study of Family Welfare

Takahiro Turuno

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 115-129
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_115

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

This paper intends to present issues in the study of family welfare. For this purpose, I focus on and reconsider the studies of family welfare by Sigeo Okamura. His studies are theoretical and systematic. They are based on his own "Theory by Okamura" , which develops its own identity of social welfare. He defines a family as "modern family", and emphasizes the integration of the well-being of family members and their functional roles. But, due to the changes in families since about 1975, promoting family functions has not always led family members to their well-being. His basic concepts of family welfare do not fit the reality of family life. Therefore, it is necessary to build new concepts of family welfare. For this purpose, I propose to discuss basically the place and role of family in social welfare, by constructive criticism of his studies. Then, I clarify the importance of studies on family caregiving and the value of family.

View full abstract

Download PDF (1009K)
A Study on the Care Arrangement for Independent Living of People with Disability

Satoko Maruyama

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 130-144
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_130

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

This paper deals with the care arrangement for people with disability, called"exclusive" care for their independent living. This was promoted through the public care assurance movement. First, it examines the resources that are needed for the care system from the point of financial and manpower arrangement and the way in which they are organized to provide "exclusive" care. Second, it discusses the development that has led to a more organized service structure. With these discussions, this paper suggests that this analytical framework can be utilized for studies of service organization based in the community.

View full abstract

Download PDF (896K)
Social Workers' Support Practice for Inpatients' Discharge to Other Hospitals and Its Related Factors

Kazuko Ohmoto

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 145-159
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_145

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

Since the goverment policy of tight control on payment to medical care was introduced, hospital managements have been trying to achieve a more effective use of hospital beds with the earliest possible discharge policy. Within the context, social workers in hospitals are expected to play more important role in discharge operations. However, they are also required to show their professional values and skills in supporting patients when they leave hospitals to their homes or to other hospitals. This study attempts to establish standards of support practice for discharge to other hospitals and identify the extent to which the standards are observed. It then goes to clarify the factors affecting the standard practices. A mail survey using questionnaire method was conducted with 189 hospital social workers in and around Tokyo area. It was revealed from the result that the social workers who show high standard of support practice are not likely to be involeved with major bed-control operations and tend to develop their work basis by advocating roles of social workers and attending team conferences etc. It was concluded from the study that the awareness by social workers of their important roles in supporting inpatients' discharge to other hospitals lead to a better performance in the practice.

View full abstract

Download PDF (821K)
Japanese Right-consciousness of Social Service

Noriharu Unuma

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 160-176
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_160

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Show abstractHide abstract

This paper intends the evolutionary process of right-consciousness of social service users and the actual condition of that. Right-consciousness causes social movements to institutionalize new legal rights and improve of insufficient rights. The process of right-consciousness follows right-idea and right-feeling. The actual conditions of lack of it, appear in right-idea and unaccommodated laws. But, drawing on the Sociology of law of Japanese Lawconsciousness, social service users have duty, obligation, loyalty, and shame as sanction to perform them. Because they substitude for right-idea, right-feeling of indignation does not occur. Therefore we need to have a new theoretical model which grasps the elements to raise right-consciousness.

View full abstract

Download PDF (1170K)
[title in Japanese]

[in Japanese]

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 177-180
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_177

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Download PDF (359K)
[title in Japanese]

[in Japanese]

Article type: Article
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 181-183
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_181

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Download PDF (265K)
[title in Japanese]

Article type: Bibliography
1997 Volume 38 Issue 1 Pages 184-194
Published: June 20, 1997
Released on J-STAGE: July 20, 2018

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.24469/jssw.38.1_184

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

Download PDF (326K)

Register with J-STAGE for free!