Social Role Valorization Theory - Sociology Paper Example

Social valorization theory is a term formulated by Wolf Wolfensberger following his previous development of the principle of normalization. He defines the concept as an application of what science says about the defense, establishment, enhancement, and maintenance of people social roles that are valued. The social valorization theory often aims at creating and supporting social role that are valued for different individuals in society. It is because socially valued goals put an individual on a level where he or she will benefit from the good things accorded to individuals who hold such a status in society. It means that the good things people strive for in a particular society are often automatically accorded to an individual who holds a social role that is valued in his or her society.

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Some of the good things such an individual is entitled to include a family, housing, having friends, treated with respect and dignity, have and education and acceptance within the community. The individual also has a voice in issues that take place within the society, a decent place to live in and opportunities for work and support from the society. The theory is often relevant to two groups of people. They are those who are already devalued in their society and those who are at the risk of being devalued. Therefore, in a way the theory responds to the social devaluation concept that has been in existence for the past centuries.

It is normal for individuals in any society who are devalued are often treated badly by their society. It means that they will have negative experiences throughout their lives due to the position they hold in their communities. They are often viewed negatively and will face rejection in all aspects. Their community, society, and family will reject them. Consequently, these individuals end up being pushed into negative roles within society including being labeled as a burden to society. The rest of society distances itself from them and they will have negative images according to their society. It is therefore evident that not every individual in society will be valued and therefore the importance of social roles valorization theory. The concept gives an opportunity to those who are socially devalued to be safe and keep away from bad things. It also ensures that these individuals will eventually enjoy the good things any society has to offer. It will always be the desire of such individuals to acces the good things in society. It is not always the case as society will segregate them and expose them to harsh conditions. Such individuals will often face imposing of what is known as the bad things in life including rejection and segregation. It is the reason why it is always important that an individual has a socially valued role. In some cases those with socially valued roles may have more negative characteristics compared to those viewed negatively by society. However their socially valued role will overpower their weakness and society will often overlook their weaknesses. Those without a socially approved role will always be discriminated upon on negative characters imposed on them by society.

Therefore, the process of enhancing the value of an individuals social value amounts to social role valorization or role valorization. Therefore, the aim of the concept is always to ensure that the image of the socially devalued is enhanced in the eyes of their society. It also works towards ensuring that the competencies of these individuals are significantly enhanced. Therefore, it will be normal for an individual who is socially valued to experience favors from society and thus his or her competencies will be enhanced in the process.

There are numerous groups of people who are socially devalued. One significant group is those who are impaired especially mental impairment. In many societies such individuals are often neglected and left in the streets. Some will be locked in their homes without the necessary help. However, it could be that if they get the necessary treatment such individuals will recover and get better. They often spend their time away from their family who in most instances do not want to be associated with them. They will often be dirty and in torn clothes while on the streets and therefore develop a negative image in their society. The individuals will often be viewed as deviant in the society and therefore be blamed for the evil that takes place in society. They will automatically acquire a negative image from the rest of society and people will keep their distance from them. However, they are not in the situation because they prefer to but because society puts the there. The mentally impaired therefore need the help os social role valorization theory to help them gain value in their society.

However they lack the ability to make use of the concept because they are challenged. In most instances they have no idea about it and thus the opportunity for them to use it to their advantage will pass them by. It is evident that if these individuals would get access to the concept their societal misconceptions would seize and they would have better lives. They therefore require empowerment to identify what can help them and how the concept may be used to their advantage. Those aware of the concept in society will need to use it to ensure that these individuals have an opportunity to get socially valued roles thus raising their image from what society has created for them to one where they can get the good this society can give.

Another group of individuals who need the social role valorization theory but do not use it is those who are impaired physically. Like the mentally impaired, these individuals will face neglect from their families and in extension society due to how they are. Their condition will automatically qualify them to be socially devalued individuals. Many often need specialized care and help from their families and society to cater for their daily needs. Some families will find such responsibilities hard to fulfill and therefore leave these individuals in situations that put them out of their hands. It means that they will no longer be their familys responsibility. However, they are often at a place where caring for their needs is difficult and they will not get access to basic needs in life. Many will end up on the streets where they beg for money or food while others may be abandoned and end up in homes that care for them. In whatever situation they end up in, they often face rejection and neglect from their families and society.

Therefore the physically disabled are another special group within any society that needs to apply the social role valorization theory. However, it may not often be the case considering that their condition prevents them from identifying social roles that are valued. In many instances rejection and segregation makes them lose trust in people and hope that their lives could be better. It is a mentality that will keep them away from realizing that they can become socially valued and get an access to the good things in life through use of the social role valorization theory.

Those addicted to drugs are another group of devalued individuals in society. Every society will have individual who get into drugs for one reason or the other. In many instances, they start engaging in drug abuse while still young. These individuals are often viewed negatively by society. Crimes within the community will always be attributed to those are addicted to drugs. Their families often do not want any association with them because they appear as failures. They are always labeled as criminals and deviant. They are often in a situation that is also hard for them to handle because in many instances such individuals will find it hard to quit drugs. They will try many times in their lives to do away with drugs but due to one reason or the another they end up in the same situation. They may have the desire to change but different factors within their environments will prevent them from becoming better.

They will not realize the existence of the social valorization theory because their drug of choice imprisons them. They often cannot survive without using it and therefore everything they do will be directed towards acquiring their drug of choice. They will lack the ability to apply the concept in their lives and in many instances have no idea the concept exists. They first need help to overcome their drug of choice to realize the opportunity at their disposal. Once they lose concentration on drug abuse, their thoughts may be clear on what they can do to change how they are. In such cases, they will have the ability to identify a socially valued role they can undertake thus gaining social value from their societies.

These groups need empowerment from people in society who can help them rise from their situation. They need to provide the individuals the help they need especially in terms of treatment and care. It is what these individuals initially require them to think clearly and critically. Once their impairment is addressed these individuals will identify a socially valued role they could engage in to make their lives better. There is evidence of such individuals rising from their negative situations to become influential individuals in society. Therefore, all they need to empowerment and encouragement to get to where they can easily access the good things their societies have to offer.

Social role valorization theory plays an important role in todays society. Many groups in society are often devalued and therefore their worth from society is low. The situation is no different in many working environments. Many organizations will lack the necessary policies that protect their employees and thus some individuals will be at the risk of social devaluation. They may be vulnerable because of favoritism, race, age, or gender. These personal factors will make it difficult for such individuals to make it in their work places and develop a successful career path. I believe that the concept of social role valorization theory will be essential for the job I plan to be part of. It will be a concept that will encourage me and other individuals within the working environment. Any organization will have individuals who may be devalued due to some of the reasons mentioned earlier. It may be that I am one of those who face devaluation within my organization. Such an experience will affect the overall productivity of any employee and he or she will always be frustrated and stressed.

The social role valorization theory will provide an opportunity for devalued individuals within an organization to get back on their feet. They will get an opportunity to identify a socially valued role within their organization to adopt and therefore raise their position within the organization. Once they get the opportunity to social valuation, such individuals get the motivation to work better and increase their contribution towards the organization. In turn, the organization will also benefit from the rise of such individuals because their overall impact will be positive individually and for the organization. Therefore, the social role valorization theory is essential for the job I may acquire in the future and it will be beneficial for, me, other employees, and the organization at large.

There are numerous roles individuals in my expected work place can play to ensure social valuation for those who seem socially devalued. After identification of such individuals, other individuals and I in the workplace will need to change how the organization views the individual. It is evident that devaluation is not an inherent characteristic of the individual but a view that the organization creates and forces it on the individual. Therefore the person will predominantly be identifies by the image the organization forces o...