University of Southern California
Assignment # 3
SOWK 614 May, 27, 2015
Introduction This response paper will analyze the book, And Still We Rise: The Trials and Triumphs of Twelve Gifted Inner-City Students. The paper will link the developmental tasks of adolescence to the students in the book. It will identify a student introduced in the book and explain the dynamics of specific macro forces and mezzo factors that help explain the challenges faced by this student. Three specific interventions that a school social worker might conduct with and on behalf of the student will be identified. The paper will also identify an adult in the school and discuss how they contributed positively and negatively to the …show more content…
Adolescence is the most difficult and challenging stages of development for an individual. This makes the youth the most vulnerable population when it comes to development. Adolescents spend a lot of time trying to figure out their identify. The students in the book struggle with various identify obstacles within their community and school system. The students are exposed to great adversity in the inner-city neighborhood. Gangs, violence, drugs, and poverty are a part of the students' every day lives. Students must make the difficult decision of their social role within the community. For example, the student Sadi struggled with the gang lifestyle. He had to make the difficult decision of whether to stay in the gang or explore his intellectual abilities as a student in school. Ultimately, with some encouragement from teachers, Sadi made a positive choice and dropped the gang …show more content…
The book provided me with valuable insight into the difficult lives of inner-city students. The book informed me about the obstacles these students face in their every day lives in order to acquire an education. I have a better understand of how the varies systems within the community influence students negatively and positively. I have a better insight into how to assist students in there environment. The book highlighted the important roles of the administration and staff at Crenshaw High School and how important it is for school social workers to work collaboratively with school staff and administration to ensure that student's needs are being met. The book illustrates the potential that inner-city students have. It is important for the school social worker to identify obstacles, providing support, resources and advocate for the students to aid in helping them reach their full