Complex identities in ethical social work practice and research

ABSTRACT

Identity, a socially constructed concept, makes sense of who we are, and how we relate to others and define our places in the world, including the physical environment. Identity formation and maintenance are complex, transactional relationships negotiated through interpersonal interactions and constantly adapting to the people we meet. Identity is culturally specific and changes through exchanges between and across cultures. Identity formation is fluid, dynamic, and reproduced through interaction with others. Identity is negotiated through power relations to create feelings of “belonging” and acceptance in specific situations and locales. Being accepted as belonging establishes an individual’s and community’s entitlement to human rights in society through social inclusion and exclusion processes. Working with those who do not “belong”, social workers aware of the impact of the social construction of identity should treat people with respect and dignity and provide necessary services.

身份认同是一个社会建构的概念。它可以让我们理解自己是谁, 我们与他人的关系, 并定义我们在世界上的位置, 包括物理环境。身份认同的形成与维持是复杂、交互的关系, 它通过人际互动协商, 并不断适应我们遇到的人。身份认同在文化上是特定的, 并且通过文化之间与跨文化的交流而变化。身份认同形成是流动的、 动态的, 并通过与他人互动而复制。身份认同是通过权力关系来协商的, 在特定情况和地点创造“归属感”和接受感。作为归属感的“被接受”确立了个人和社区在社会中的人权, 它是通过社会融合或排斥的过程而形成的。当社会工作者帮助欠缺“归属感”的受助者时, 应该意识到社会建构的影响, 尊重和尊严地对待他们, 并提供必要的服务。

KEYWORDS:

• Participatory action research
• complex identity
• dynamic identity
• fluid identity
• negotiated identity
• culture and identity
• power relations
• belonging
• social cohesion
• human rights
• social inclusion
• social exclusion
• ethical practice
• service delivery
• transactional relationships

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).