- Volume 11, Number 2 (2023)
THE SYNERGISTIC NEXUS: SOCIOLOGY'S PRACTICAL INFLUENCE ON SOCIAL WORK
Anna Katharina Becker, Thomas Heinrich Müller
This article redefines some aspects of the relationship between practical social work and the scientific discipline of sociology based on Niklas Luhmann‘s sociological systems theory. After clarifying the social system context of social work, the article focuses on the distinction between self-description and outside description and asks whether social work needs a critical perspective.
BRIDGING THE GAP: G.I. BILL POLICY REFORMS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY
Sarah Elizabeth Brown, Michael James Rodriguez
Following World War II, an influx of 15 million servicemen and women returned to the United States, yearning to reintegrate into civilian life. The instrumental intervention of the G.I. Bill, championed by the Roosevelt administration, proved pivotal in providing federal support for crucial services like healthcare, education, home acquisition, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Through multiple amendments, including the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, the focus has shifted towards bolstering access to benefits, extending entitlements to families, and addressing disparities in educational accessibility (Kleykamp, 2013). However, the specter of invisible disabilities, particularly mental illness, continues to cast a long shadow over this population....
NARCOTICS VS. POLICY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE WAR ON DRUGS
Emily Katherine Thompson, David Michael Lee
The impact of United States policies and laws resonates deeply within the lives of its residents, shaping their experiences and opportunities. For those identifying as minorities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), or falling under the category of "other" in our societal framework, the influence of U.S. policies and laws often manifests in oppressive and stigmatizing ways. This article delves into the intricate relationship between U.S. drug laws and the perpetuation of systemic racism, specifically targeting BIPOC individuals, while concurrently fostering detrimental stereotypes about drug use. Consequently, these stigmas have fundamentally altered societal perceptions and responses towards drug users....