The previous post gave examples of incongruity between theory and practice in helping people in deep distress.
Following some consideration here are a few ideas that I have as to why this incongruity exists – i.e. why theory is not translated into practice in the area of helping families in the Focus Group. As you are reading you might think of more:
1. There is not enough money available to pay the number of practitioners who would be needed if we were to commit to supporting the people who most need support using the theories that would really make a difference. This is undoubtedly true.
2. In respect of the theories concerned with the primacy of building long-term relationships, the real world of promotions, transfers, job security/insecurity, changes, house moves etc. gets in the way. There is little that can be done about this but we need to be aware of it!
3. Mostly, people of influence within the Pillars do not have the knowledge that is necessary to plan and implement a strategy that will work. But unlike science and engineering, lack of knowledge will not stop them doing it. There is little that we community workers can do about the power structures of society.
4. Many people in senior positions within the Pillars have a power base which might be threatened by a person of lesser rank pointing out that a particular practice contradicts some theory that they have learned. I promise you – this happens! See 3 above.
5. There is prejudice as to what should be resourced and what should not. This prejudice could arise from previous negative experiences, fear, pressure to save time, bias towards a particular modality (e.g. the medical model), and many other factors. We’re really up against it here.
6. We (community workers and leaders) come under influence from the Pillars (in particular Public Service and Academia) to roll out a programme which has been bought at some expense even though we know in our heart of hearts that it goes against theories that we have learned and experience we have. This is something that we can do a lot about with a bit of confidence and assertiveness – and really knowing what is needed by families.
7. People in power wish to make a name for themselves and they pin their colours to a particular modality because they are identified with it – even if it isn’t working that well. Or, perhaps, they have some monetary gain from it. See 6 above.
8. The culture of the middle-class formally educated and trained practitioner can be very removed from that of the Focus Group and application of the theories (e.g. unconditional positive regard) in the real world can cause so much discomfort that they are ignored, or substantially diluted. As in 6 above, again.
I deliberately put the first four at the top of the list because there is little that we can do about them.
But I believe that good training that is matched to the needs of the families and children will go a long way in ameliorating the negative effects of many of the others.
This is because good training will give us both the confidence to argue for implementation of the theories in a respectful and well-thought-out manner, and the clarity to discriminate between what will work and what won’t.