LETTERS: SOCIAL WORK A BIG JOB

To the editor:

The purpose of this letter is to acknowledge the social workers who are required by law to investigate complaints of child abuse and neglect. They have a misunderstood and thankless job.

There is a high degree of turnover in the child-welfare profession. It is most difficult for these educated professionals to become devoted to their work. They realize that abuse is not the long-term problem as the removal of the abuser often stops abuse. Neglect, on the other hand, is a lifestyle which take a long time to change. When court assistance is needed to make change effective, it is at this point that any working relationship between the family and the social worker begins to break down. The lawyer destroys the working relationship by turning the family against the social worker. I worked in this profession for several years, and I never met a lawyer who gave a damn about my working relationship with his client. I worked under six juvenile judges, and only one of the six was interested in safeguarding the family's relationship with the social worker.

I am not surprised at the high turnover rate among social workers working with victims of child abuse and neglect. Who would want to work in a profession where you can never do anything right? In return, this leaves the child in a no-win situation. I feel sorry for the child as well as the misled social workers who allow themselves to believe they can find a satisfying and fulfilling career in the area of child welfare.

THOMAS FIELDS

Gordonville