Theories

The end goal to helping this family come together, finding health and unity is to come to a place instilling peace and tranquility.

I hope my series for this blog brought or brings some understanding to helping this family come together as a family.

Feminist Theory

Personal, individual and unique identities are classifies as great ways in which to grow into becoming a healthy member of society. This helps us to show others who we are and it helps us in building alliances with others who share the same interests, values and beliefs. Speak up and be heard, don’t let anyone shut you down. Feminist Theory even goes into multiculturalism introducing minority perspectives, pushing and sometimes distorting the already misunderstood practices of the minority group they are purporting to help.

Strength Based Approach

Getting past the hindrances of abusive put downs and realizing that they are strong and capable is key to understanding a Strength Based Approach. ROPES was introduced as part of the Strength Based Approach since 2001

R = Resources - Personal, Family, Social environment, Organizational and Community

O = Options – Present focus, Emphasis on choice, What can be accessed now? What is available and hasn’t been tried or utilized

P = Possibilities – Future focus, Imagination, Creativity, Vision of the future, Play, What have you thought of trying but haven’t tried yet?

E = Exceptions – When is the problem not happening? When is the problem different? When is part of the hypothetical future solution occurring? How have you survived, endured, thrived?

S = Solutions – Focus on constructing solutions, not solving the problems. What’s working now? What are your successes? What are you doing that you would like to continue doing? What if a miracle happened? What can you do not to create a piece of the miracle?

Using ROPES would work and help the entire family.

Indigenous Approach

Up to this point the entire family has been learning about and implementing Indigenous Approaches. The Medicine Wheel, The 7 Grandfather Teachings, The 7 Native American Philosophies and Sharing Circles as part of Restorative Justice.

References

Graybeal, C. (2001) Strengths-based social work assessment: Transforming the dominant paradigm, Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services. Volume 82, Number 3, p 5.

Greenfield, M. 2013 Seven Grandfather Teachings, Camp Widjiitwin News http://widjiitiwin.ca/seven-grandfathers-teachings/

Ponzanesi, S. (2007) Feminist Theory and Multiculturalism, Feminist Theory, DOI: 10.1177/1464700107074200 Volume 8, p 91

White Bison (2015) http://www.sapphyr.net/natam/natam7philosophies.htm & https://www.facebook.com/whitebisoninc?fref=ts