Introduction
Researchers created the Aguirre and Turner Model of Discrimination, Resource Shares, and Stratification to better explain and assess social experiences. Through social stratification, resource distribution, and prejudice, this technique allows us to evaluate differences between cultures. This essay will assess the model’s ability to assist diverse racial and ethnic groups in comparing their experiences and comprehending other vulnerable populations’ biases. The model will also be ethically assessed using the NASW Code of Ethics.
Comparison of Racial/Ethnic Groups
The Aguirre and Turner Model compares and contrasts racial and ethnic experiences to analyze social stratification, resource allocation, and prejudice. The model’s strength is its comprehensive approach to comprehending these experiences, which involves unravelling the historical, institutional, and structural variables that define distinct groups’ destinies. Aguirre et al. (1989) say the technique fully examines bias and each group’s issues. This shows how historical injustices continue to affect society’s institutions and the core causes of inequality. This historical perspective helps one understand racism and ethnic prejudice’s long-term impacts.
The Aguirre and Turner Model’s focus on resource allocation further enhances its comparative performance. The model considers that the possibilities and wellbeing of different socioeconomic groups are greatly affected by the availability of resources. The approach reveals disparities in education and the economy, among other sectors, by meticulously analyzing resource distribution patterns. By conducting a detailed analysis, one can understand how different racial and ethnic groups negotiate their socioeconomic environments. The identification of inequities in the allocation of resources exposes the structural obstacles that hinder specific demographics from obtaining critical resources, thereby reinforcing patterns of inequality (Aguirre et al., 1989). By focusing on this particular aspect, the model empowers analysts and researchers to identify precise domains that require policy reform and intervention to rectify these systemic inequities.
Additionally, the examination of social stratification by the Aguirre and Turner Model substantially enhances its efficacy when applied to comparative analysis. Social stratification pertains to the hierarchical configuration of groups and individuals within a given society, predicated on many factors such as race and ethnic origin.
Understanding Other Populations-at-Risk
The Aguirre and Turner Model, widely recognized for its efficacy in contrasting the experiences of racial and ethnic groups, demonstrates itself to be a flexible conceptual structure that can substantially augment our comprehension of the discriminatory circumstances encountered by at-risk populations. One such demographic comprises women, for whom the model’s focus on discrimination harmoniously corresponds with feminist viewpoints. Through its emphasis on discrimination, the model facilitates a comprehensive examination of gender-based inequalities, providing invaluable perspectives on how systemic barriers to progressing resources sustain the unequal distribution of resources and contribute to the marginalization of women (Crunk & Barden, 2017). This approach encourages a comprehensive examination of the diverse manifestations of prejudice that women encounter, acknowledging the interdependence of gender-related inequalities with racial, ethnic, and economic determinants.
Looking at social stratification and resource distribution via the Aguirre and Turner Model is valuable when considering the prejudice that poor people experience. Poverty and other oppressed identities often overlap, and the model’s comprehensive approach helps us understand how economic inequities are connected to many forms of bias. Through an analysis of resource distributions, the model sheds light on the complex web of factors that contribute to the marginalization of low-income areas, exposing the reality that these communities face. The unique challenges caused by the interaction of poverty and prejudice may be better understood using an intersectional framework (Crunk & Barden, 2017). To craft targeted actions and policies, an all-encompassing perspective is essential.
The applicability of the Aguirre and Turner Model to comprehend the experiences of discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community serves as further evidence of its versatility. The model’s primary analytical emphasis on discrimination is congruent with the obstacles encountered by the LGBTQ+ community. This facilitates a comprehensive examination of how societal frameworks reinforce the exclusion of people based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. By integrating the perspectives and experiences of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, the model expands its reach and acknowledges the interrelatedness of diverse manifestations of prejudice (Crunk & Barden, 2017). Understanding the intricate dynamics that give rise to disparities among disparate populations necessitates this inclusiveness.
NASW Code of Ethics Application
When the NASW Code of Ethics is applied to the Aguirre and Turner Model, it becomes evident that the ethical principles delineated by NASW and the model’s goals are in perfect harmony. The congruence mentioned above highlights the ethical underpinnings of the model, which prioritize social justice, the dignity and value of every individual, and cultural sensitivity in the effort to rectify inequalities among heterogeneous populations. An essential ethical implication arises from the model’s alignment with the NASW’s steadfast dedication to social justice. The explicit emphasis of the model on discrimination and social stratification harmonizes harmoniously with the NASW’s mission to promote social justice. Social workers are encouraged, per the NASW Code of Ethics, to confront systemic obstacles and actively participate in advocacy efforts to advance policies that cultivate equity (Santhiveeran, 2009). The model satisfies the ethical obligation to advance equity and inclusiveness in social work by offering a systematic and all-encompassing framework for comprehending and rectifying social injustices.
The Aguirre and Turner Model manifestly implements an additional foundational NASW Code of Ethics tenet: cultural competence. How the model considers at-risk, racial, and ethnic minorities reflects the NASW’s emphasis on cultural competence. Social workers are ethically obligated to comprehend and value the distinctive experiences of individuals and collectives hailing from various cultural contexts. Integrating cultural elements into the model’s analysis is consistent with the NASW’s recommendation that social workers maintain an ongoing education regarding various communities and cultures (Swick et al., 2021). This emphasis on cultural competence is vital to ensure that social work interventions are effective, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the requirements of diverse populations. The Aguirre and Turner Model upholds ethical social work practice by adhering to the NASW’s ethical commitment to cultural competence, which emphasizes recognizing and respecting the diversity of communities and individuals.
The dignity and worth of the person is a fundamental principle emphasized in the NASW Code of Ethics. It stresses the criticality of treating every individual respectfully and acknowledging their intrinsic worth. The Aguirre and Turner Model is inherently consistent with this ethical principle by emphasizing social stratification and discrimination. Enhanced comprehension of the experiences of individuals belonging to racial, ethnic, and at-risk groups results from the model’s investigation into the distinct obstacles these groups encounter. By recognizing the influence of systemic obstacles and power imbalances, the model underscores how prejudiced methodologies and unjust frameworks can undermine the dignity and value of individuals. This alignment strengthens the ethical underpinnings of the model, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging and maintaining the dignity and value of every person, regardless of their origin or identity.
Conclusion
Finally, the Aguirre and Turner Model demonstrates its efficacy and adaptability as a comparative analysis instrument by elucidating the experiences of diverse racial and ethnic groups and expanding its relevance to comprehend the prejudice encountered by other at-risk populations. Adopting a comprehensive approach that considers historical, structural, and intersectional factors aligns with the fundamental tenets of cultural competence and social justice outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics. In addition to enabling a nuanced examination of disparities, the model guides social workers toward a comprehensive understanding of societal inequalities following ethical imperatives. By applying the Aguirre and Turner Model, social workers can effectively navigate the intricate nature of discrimination, make informed contributions to advocacy efforts, and advocate for ethical and equitable interventions.
References
Aguirre, B. E., Saenz, R., & Hwang, S. S. (1989). Discrimination and the assimilation and ethnic competition perspectives. Social Science Quarterly, 70(3), 594.
Crunk, A. E., & Barden, S. M. (2017). The common factors discrimination model: An integrated approach to counselor supervision. Professional Counselor, 7(1), 62-75.
Santhiveeran, J. (2009). Compliance of social work e-therapy websites to the NASW code of ethics. Social Work in Health Care, 48(1), 1-13.
Swick, D. C., Dyson, Y. D., & Webb, E. B. (2021). Navigating a pandemic, racial disparities, and social work education through the lens of the NASW code of ethics. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 27(1), 84-93.