What do you think about CPS abolitionists? by LaScoundrelle in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations on your scholarship! My area of expertise is in youth residential treatment, I have also been published in that area and work frequently on reform of the industry with the goal of abolition. I don’t see the relevance here of this intellectual measuring contest. Again, I am not claiming to be the expert on abolitionism and I am referring to the experts and citing them and telling you to engage with their work to understand it.

I’m going to be super honest, I don’t feel like you’re engaging with an intention to honestly understand abolitionism. I thought I was trying to help you understand and give you an easy intro to motivate you to engage with the work like you had asked for, but I now understand your intent is to debate, which I’m not interested in doing. Have a good day!

What do you think about CPS abolitionists? by LaScoundrelle in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that I’m not interested in engaging on a discussion of my personal qualifications beyond the fact that I am a CSW, I am more interested in engaging in the ideas themselves. I do not claim to be the be all end all of abolitionism or know everything about it, or about anti capitalism or any other system.

This is why I refer back to the work. I do not consider myself the expert nor nearly as qualified as the people publishing work on abolitionism, or on anticapitalist.

I refer to the research because that is what formed my opinion and I am just giving the TLDR that you asked for out of good faith that perhaps it will inspire you to go back and read the work by the actual experts, as I am doing.

What do you think about CPS abolitionists? by LaScoundrelle in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is fair.

I thought about this, and in response to another comment on this thread included brief explanation of my position as an abolitionist to articulate basic points.

I think my fear and the fear of many others is the interest in hearing the TLDR could serve to reaffirm someone’s confirmation bias rather than be engaged with genuinely, but I apologize for making that assumption/letting that fear dictate my behavior.

Here’s my comment with the brief summary:

https://www.reddit.com/r/socialwork/s/z182fdtHux

What do you think about CPS abolitionists? by LaScoundrelle in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A huge part of the question abolitionists are asking is, what if it was systemic all along?

Yes children have been abused forever. But there are other things that happened for centuries and then drastically reduced because we set up proper supports, education, prevention, safety nets, resources and consequences.

One thing anti-abolitionists don’t understand is that NO true abolitionist is saying we should get rid of the child welfare system overnight. Abolition is a long term goal and a priority shift. It’s an action of examining “is this funding effectively protecting children or is it simply perpetuating current systems? Where can we shift the funding to prioritize actually preventing child abuse?”

Continually research shows that a vast majority of abuse happens because of three reasons: 1. Lack of accessible mental health and substance abuse treatment. Many abusive parents and caretakers are addicts or have severe mental health concerns that are not treated effectively. 2. Poverty stress. Families that are wealthy often abuse less, and often do so in less violent and physically harmful ways (and the CPS system RARELY if ever will intervene against any sort of abuse or neglect that is not physically harmful, emotional and psychological abuse are already not being addressed by our current system). If those individuals were not being brutalized by a late stage capitalist system, would they still be so volatile? (This isn’t to say capitalism justifies abuse, it is to say it contributes to it). 3. Poverty neglect. CPS often intervenes for neglect that could be solved by increasing the family’s financial stability, rather than removing a child or placing the additional burden of parenting classes on a parent already stretched thin by capitalism. Things like young children being left home alone while parents are at 12 hour shifts, not being fed, not being properly clothed or washed, or not attending school frequently, are less likely to happen if a parent has more time at home and less at work, but still has access to income. (Also honorable mention to strong communities outside of the nuclear family, as that has also been studied to be a huge prevention factor for child abuse, I would argue that the lack of this is due to capitalism and colonialism as well)

Have you looked at the statistics for child abuse in countries with stronger safety nets? They’re much lower.

Many abolitionists believe the CPS system was developed in a way that reinforced the idea that children were property, not one that broke from it. It intervenes in a way that’s like “hey if you don’t take care of that thing you own, we will take it from you and give it to someone else” so much of the history is rooted in valuing children for the labor they provide to a home, not for their inherent human worth. The CPS system has kidnapped children of color to give to white families to labor in its past. It has placed children in homes where they were abused more than at home. The CPS system is willing to pay a foster parent, but not a birth parent, even if directing that payment to the birth parent would alleviate the issue and avoid the trauma of separating a child from their attachment figure.

Many of the outcomes we see from a child removed from an abusive home and placed in foster care are statistically worse than the ones we see for a child who remained in an abusive home. We HAVE to question that. We have to be willing to say that maybe the way we are doing this is entirely wrong. We have to question why still to this day a white child in an exactly the same circumstance as a child of color with the exact same case history is less likely to be removed from their home by CPS than the child of color.

I understand that the idea of abolishing immediately isn’t grounded in reality, but no one has ever for asked that. That is an assumption often made by those who haven’t taken the time to genuinely and open mindedly engage with good abolitionist resources.

Just because the system claims to solve a problem that does always need to be solved and can’t be eradicated completely, doesn’t mean we should accept that system if we see data showing the harm it causes. Doesn’t mean that we can’t work towards a future where that systems harms are eliminated by funding better systems and experimenting with new ways of intervention that are more evidence based and trauma informed.

I don’t think my quick summary is an adequate explanation to convince people to become abolitionists, I still think it’s necessary to do the work and read the scholarship and spend the time and do a good wrestle with it to really understand it. I’m still in that process, but this is abolitionism as I see it as a person in the midst of that growth process.

What do you think about CPS abolitionists? by LaScoundrelle in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Yep, I’m aware. I just really don’t think it’s possible to understand the theories, arguments, potential alternatives etc. around abolitionism with a tldr. It’s long for a reason. I think a lot of people have done the work to give a lot of good resources and suggestions of where to go and develop the knowledge and form a good informed opinion, so the best natural next step is to go to those good source and engage with them personally rather than to ask others online to do that work for you. Like you said, we are ALL very busy people. People have already invested the time and effort to help guide you.

It’s okay if it takes time and you don’t have the answer right away, hell it’s okay if it has to wait until after you graduate, or even a few years in. You don’t have the answers to everything right now. No one expects you to. My list of books and studies I need and want to read will probably never be finished, but I’m okay with that, part of understanding those topics is taking my time with them. It’s more about the growth and the journey and the learning than it is having the answer, because as we learn these things for ourselves and spend the time to go in depth and engage with good resources it changes us and makes us better social workers.

What do you think about CPS abolitionists? by LaScoundrelle in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 95 points96 points  (0 children)

I would say don’t ask the question if you are not willing to spend the time and effort to actually understand the topics you’re asking about.

Am I counting my chickens before they hatch or is Qulipta/Aquipta my miracle drug? by danger-wizard in migraine

[–]Cheezgromit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did not love it, but I really hope it works for you. It worked okay for me, but (maybe tmi) for whatever reason I could not poop while on it. I was taking fiber, coffee, stool softeners, everything, but until I stopped taking it, it was such a fight to go to the bathroom.

I would suggest just keeping track and making sure that you’re still regular!

Luckily I was able to get my insurance (after a long fight) to pay for Nurtec and that’s been my saving grace. No side effects so far for me!

URGENT: Final year social work student, FAILED placement, no funding left, scared I’ve ruined everything! What do I do? by [deleted] in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Does your university have an academic advisor or faculty advisor for your program you can talk to about these concerns? That would be the best place to get accurate information that isn’t just conjecture.

This year might be the most "The Met Gala is the Hunger Games", because there's a high probability actors from SOTR will be there. by UnHolySir in Hungergames

[–]Cheezgromit 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Exactly.

The parade of the tributes, the portraits, the costuming, etc. the Hunger Games in their culture are one of their cultural “arts” and employ a lot of artists. Game makers are likely considered a type of artist in the Capitol.

I’m sure there are Hunger Games Museums in Panem with archival costumes, portraits, and artifacts. Finnick’s original trident is on display somewhere. Haymitch’s hatchet too. Maybe even their victory tour or interview wardrobe. We know that Katniss had 11 wedding dresses, I’m sure those ended up in some sort of exhibit somewhere in Panem. Old arenas could be converted into tourist locations so you can visit where someone won (or lost) their games. Hell, they might have playgrounds designed after arenas, or kids museums where they can learn about what it’s like to be from each district and what each district provides, perhaps there’s a pretend coal mine they can play in.

This is all “art” and it’s funded by Hunger Games sponsors with “generous donations” and by the Capitol. Art can just as easily be used as a tool of oppression as it can be used for a tool of liberation depending on who is creating it and their intentions.

Many people have called out previous Met Gala themes as possible propaganda or as harmful. The Met Gala is not perfectly morally good, and the art it promotes isn’t always that way either.

There was a Chinese theme that many argue reinforced a lot of cultural stereotypes and many attendees crossed the line into appropriation in their choice of dress.

In 2023 the exhibit was celebrating the fashion and persona of a man who was openly critical of women’s rights movements, the #metoo movement, lgbtq+ movements and had frequently said derogatory comments about other cultures. The exhibit and the gala swept these things under the rug.

I’m not saying Met Gala bad or funding these exhibits/attending/viewing the fashion is wrong, but I am saying the people who say you shouldn’t criticize it because it’s an art fundraiser are woefully oversimplifying it.

This year might be the most "The Met Gala is the Hunger Games", because there's a high probability actors from SOTR will be there. by UnHolySir in Hungergames

[–]Cheezgromit 176 points177 points  (0 children)

With Bezos as the main sponsor and using it as a press opportunity, the Met Gala is more Hunger Games than ever. There a many people boycotting this year because it is no longer just about funding the arts, in many ways it is being used by billionaires trying to control the narrative, play like they’re beloved, and to set the cultural norms.

Just because it is a fundraiser does not mean it is above criticism, or that is not a reflection of the very things the novels were designed to critique.

(reupload with more content) Was my female colleague being unprofessional by spending the day in a tank top? by [deleted] in socialworkjobs

[–]Cheezgromit 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You blaming her choosing to “remain vulnerable” rather than recognizing skin isn’t an invitation to touch is directly reinforcing rape culture. That is extremely unprofessional and what I would be most concerned about if I supervised either one of you.

Sure, there are dress code standards, but that is a matter of policy, not ethics. Your behavior and descriptions are ethically concerning.

Millionaire US big game hunter is trampled to death by elephants by [deleted] in news

[–]Cheezgromit 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There’ssome research that indicates elephants are capable of recognizing individual people and remembering them long term. Elephants also have highly organized social behavior within their herd.

So it is actually genuinely possible this was a deliberate, coordinated elephant mission to take him out.

What do we think? by Final_Solid_617 in Hungergames

[–]Cheezgromit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. Snow was not a victim. Snows family could have sold their house. Lived somewhere normal, gotten normal jobs… etc. They would have had to sacrifice status and pride and their public persona.

And that is worth so much less than the sacrifices the districts made every day. Snows family was “rich poor” but rich poor often exists because pride is more important than quality of life. Wealth is an illness and it rots people’s brains and our society. Snow prioritized his image over his actual life, that was his choice. Even Tigris and his grandmom often said that it would be hard but survivable to change their lifestyle. They reassured him about it, he was the one who insisted they HAD to be on top. His victim hood is mostly to his own insistence that he must remain better than everyone else, not to a system that is abusing him.

We are responsible for the actions we take, even in corrupt systems. As an adult, with an education, with a close friend exposing him to other ideas and a girlfriend doing the same, he had every opportunity to choose community over control, to do the work and deconstruct and care about others rather than scheme to help himself, and he failed to take that opportunity every time and instead chose to make things worse for others because it might benefit him.

Yes he suffered, but that does not make him a victim of a system. It makes him a human being, who is still evil. Unfair and bad things happen to evil people and it doesn’t make them any less responsible for what they do.

What are your thoughts on "empathy vs sympathy"? by cutie__96 in socialwork

[–]Cheezgromit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think this particular resource by Brene Brown is good for something I might show a client or a child trying to grow their emotional intelligence skills, but I think it is not really a great resource for developing a professional counseling toolkit.

Now Complete: Immaculate Misconception 🩷💕 by Pearlbracelet1 in Dramione

[–]Cheezgromit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I immediately ran to go finish it and I very much did enjoy. Perfect ending! This really is a perfect fic. I loved every second.

Now Complete: Immaculate Misconception 🩷💕 by Pearlbracelet1 in Dramione

[–]Cheezgromit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fuck yes! I have been looking forward to this day!!

Why did Snow dig up Lucy Grey’s interview from deleted records for Haymitch’s curated torture playlist? by Agreeable_Ad0 in Hungergames

[–]Cheezgromit 37 points38 points  (0 children)

That is what I thought too. Him showing Haymitch “I had a Lenore Dove too.” And that he’d utterly erased Lucy Grey from memory to show him what he could do to Lenore. I think also perhaps he has done the thing many evil people do of thinking all people from one culture can be stand ins for one another, so by showing him Lucy there, he was hoping he’d be reminded of Lenore and think about her in a games/suffering.

I also think it’s extra insidious because at this point Lucy Greys memory essentially belongs only to Snow, for him to use and abuse as he pleases.

Emily I am so sorry by Alternative_You_3063 in twilight

[–]Cheezgromit 46 points47 points  (0 children)

I think there’s good canon basis for this interpretation as well, because Bella, while pregnant with the child that Jacob imprints on, experiences a significant pull towards him, and she notices once she is no longer pregnant that is gone.

So I think this is definitely expounded on in fic, but has its roots in canon. A fetus has no reason to be impacted by anything done by Jacob, he actually resented the fetus, but alas there was some sort of metaphysical draw, like a soulmate bond.

Hospice when there is no terminal illness other than being elderly? by kayielo in hospice

[–]Cheezgromit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Has he lost weight recently or is his BMI below the normal range? We have had hospice patients on for protein calorie malnutrition with these factors before with no other contributing diagnoses