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8 SEPTEMBER 2010

NO 1625

Worker identity

That’s right. lf we’re talking about ethics and making it more real in interactive practice, then why not emphasize an Ethical Identity that informs all our CYC actions? But before we explore an Ethical Identity, let’s first amplify CYC Professional Identity.

When considering a CYC Professional Identity, we need to keep in mind that all that we do in CYC practice is a function of what we’ve learned from our experiences in the practice field and from all those cognitive and theoretical frameworks presented to us in pre-service and in-service training. Whatever approach we use, whether it is behavioural, psychodynamic, ecological, systemic, or phenomenological/ constructionist, we are all in some way products of our acquired professional knowledge. To give you one clear example, I’ll use myself as a case in point with one particular conceptual framework that has influenced me in my CYC work.

Many years ago in my training as a CYC worker, I was exposed to the work of Polsky and Claster and their application of a sociological, role-function model to CYC ‘ work. I found myself attracted to their ideas because, in my opinion, they envisioned CYC work as a form of reflection and action-in-process. In their research in examining role performance of workers, Polsky and Claster used a social interactive model to observe the what, how, and when of CYC work. Their observations and analyses influenced me to view the CYC worker as a kind of juggler who, in continuous time, handles four balls or, let’s say, four role functions: monitor; nurturer; teacher/counsellor and integrator. The magic came in viewing the CYC worker as this dynamic, creative juggler who could exercise a high degree of fluid, focused, creative responsiveness in deciding, from one moment to the next, which specific role to perform. As the moment changes — so do observations, so do decisions, so do actions.

This conceptualization helped me view CYC work as a dynamic process in which the worker continuously and creatively responds to any interactive moment. Although I have expanded my repertoire to include other orientations, I’ve stayed loyal to this particular vision of CYC work. Whereas you see yourself as wanting to be open and in control of your mind, I view myself as wanting to be open, creative, and responsive as I juggle those four role functions. Maybe my CYC fantasy friend would be a juggler.

MARK GREENWALD

Greenwald, M. (2008). "Susan" talking to "Bob" in 'The virtuous Child and Youth Care practitioner: Exploring identity and ethical practice'. In Bellefeuille, G. and Ricks, F. (Eds.). Standing on the Precipice: Inquiry into the creative potential of Child and Youth Care practice. Edmonton, Alberta. MacEwan Press. pp. 182-184.

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