Advanced Topics in Micro and Macro Social Work

Several recent high profile cases raised important questions about how parents use physical punishment, especially toward young children. In this mini-course we will examine the role of discipline and punishment in childrearing, addressing research on the effectiveness of wide range of parental disciplinary approaches. Content will be embedded within a child development framework that considers the child’s age and development stage, in conjunction with family- and community-level factors. We will examine evidence-based parenting interventions, and their recommendations and approaches to child discipline. We will discuss how cultural norms and beliefs may influence parents’ discipline choices and how social workers can best dialogue with parents help them achieve their parenting aims. This mini-course will address micro- and macro- social work issues.