Occasionally, we will post a question/reflection on social roles. Roles are obviously a fulcrum point for understanding, teaching and applying Social Role Valorization. It can be helpful to think about one’s own roles as a way of better understanding the power of roles (valued and devalued) in the lives of vulnerable and socially devalued people. We recommend reflecting on, writing about and discussing these ‘reflections on roles’ posts rather than just reading them once. We encourage you to post your reflections and suggestions for future role reflections.
On to the first reflection: A key point in SRV is that valued roles bring greater access to the good things of life. What good things of life do your valued roles bring to you?
An interesting question, and one well worth answering!
I will choose one valued role and attempt to list the good things that come from this:
The valued role of worker/employee for a large community college in Montreal.
This role brings me money – which gives me access to the material necessities of the good things of life – food, shelter, clothing, expendable income for entertainment, etc.
This role brings me friendship – I come into contact with many people throughout my day with whom I have meaningful interactions with.
This role gives me a sense of purpose in life – a reason to get up in the morning and go forth in the world.
In my role as a note taker and attendant at the college I get to audit several classes each day including philosophy, sociology and political science. Hence this role brings me education and enrichment of the mind.
My work role also allows me access to other valued roles, such as that of student. By earning a decent wage I am able to afford tuition for school.
That’s my brain storm for now, though I’m sure I’m just scraping the surface of what this valued role brings me.
-Steve Tiffany
What a thoughtful answer… I like how you pointed out that one valued role (employee) has led to other valued roles (student). In my experience, this is an often overlooked strategy when trying to support societally devalued people to acquire and hold onto valued roles. Even a relatively small valued role (or a low bandwidth valued role, as the SRV monograph by Wolfensberger describes it) can be the jumping off point for other and even bigger devalued roles. Yet so often we don’t take advantage of that dynamic.
Thanks for the post, and oh yeah, I’m jealous of all those classes you are able to audit! What a great opportunity.
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