The social justice paper should include the following components:
Introduction of problem, including a problem statement
Historical context including relevant systemic/structural entities (i.e., what structural deficit has been holding this in place?); make sure to clearly define this as a social justice issue
Review of relevant literature
Attempts to address the issue and efficacy of these attempts
Your proposed solution (address also whether your proposed solution is innovative [i.e., is original] or involves a partnership w/ existing organizations and why?)
Social work theory that is in line with your proposed solution (POST-COLONIAL THEORY or FEMINIST THEORY)
References
Consider the following when providing an overview of the social problem, attempts to address the issue, and proposed solution:
Clearly define the social issue/ problem.
Make a compelling case as to how, why and to whom this issue is problematic.
Frame your issue using key language/ concepts covered in the course
Provide quantitative estimates, if possible, of the magnitude, intensity, and scope of the problem. If possible, estimate future projections of the problem.
Discuss when and how did the issue begin to become an issue.
If applicable, list the key dates (usually by year) in the issue’s development, particularly governmental actions. If appropriate, list major events year by year, or if appropriate, month by month.
Use historical trend data to so how the issue has evolved (e.g., got better, or worse, increased public awareness, public opinion, growing costs, decreasing quality or access, etc.).
Discuss what attempts have been made to address the social issue/ problem (consider intervention/ action steps at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels).
Offer a proposed solution to address the social issue/ problem
Does your solution involve an innovative solution or partnering with an existing organization/ program?
Frame your proposed solution theoretically (using an appropriate, justice-informed theory)
Identify people and agencies in your professional/ personal network that you could engage for support
SOME ARTICLES TO USE:
Chapter 2: Pickard, A., Childs, S., Lomas, E., McLeod, J., Shenton, A., & EBSCO Publishing. (2013). Reviewing literature. Research Methods in Information(Second ed.).
http://ezproxy.uky.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1560617&site=ehost-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_25Links to an external site.
Andrews, R. (2003). Research Questions (Continuum Research Methods). https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.uky.edu/lib/kentucky-ebooks/detail.action?docID=436194Links to an external site.
American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. (n.d.). Fighting to End the Family Policing System. ACLU of Northern California. https://www.aclunc.org/issue/gender-sexuality-reproductive-justice/fighting-end-family-policing-system#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20family%20policing,as%20the%20child%20welfare%20system.
Dettlaff, A. J. (2021). Racial disproportionality and disparities in the child welfare system (Vol. 11). Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
Dominelli, L. (2017). Anti oppressive social work theory and practice. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Hill, R. B. (2006). Synthesis of research on disproportionality in child welfare: An update (p. 60). Seattle, WA: Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity in Child Welfare.
Hyunil, Kim, et al. (2017). Lifetime prevalence of investigating child maltreatment among US children. American Journal of Public Health 107(2) 278. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5227926/pdf/AJPH.2016.303545.pdf.
Legha, R. K., & Gordon-Achebe, K. (2022). The color of child protection in America: Antiracism and abolition in child mental health. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 31(4), 693–718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2022.05.004
Roberts, D. (2009). Shattered bonds: The color of child welfare. Hachette UK.
United States. Children’s Bureau. (2022). The AFCARS report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau.
UPEND Movement. (n.d.). Family Policing Definition. UPEND Movement. https://upendmovement.org/family-policing-definition/
Washington, S. L. (2022). SURVIVED & COERCED. Columbia Law Review, 122(4), 1097-1164.
*I’ve attached one of my prior papers that focuses on this topic in case this is helpful in seeing my writing style and learning more about the issue.
