Offensive Behavior Research Paper
Offensive Behavior in Groups:
Challenges and Opportunities
Julianne Wayne
Alex Gitterman
ABSTRACT. This paper discusses offensive behaviors that often occur in groups. The sources and meanings of such behavior both to the individual and the group are explored. Principles are presented to help workers decide when to respond to the more serious underlying personal and group issues these behaviors may express, and when to confront them directly. The authors also examine the reasons why it is so difficult for workers to deal with offensive behaviors and conclude with practice examples that illustrate ways to use challenging behaviors as stepping stones towards positive individual and group development. [Article copies available for a …show more content…
Social Work with Groups, Vol. 26(2) 2003 http://www.haworthpress.com/store/product.asp?sku=J009 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1300/J009v26n02_03
23
24
SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS
ers may even respond in a punitive manner when confronted by such actions. Reasons for these reactions range from moral indignation to a desire to help members set limits on offensive and destructive behaviors that impede the development of effective social and interpersonal skills.
While these motivations are understandable, seemingly “inappropriate” behaviors often represent disguised calls for help, and provide social workers with opportunities to explore hidden communication, and to demonstrate unconditional acceptance of group members. When workers can see beyond the social infractions and respond to the underlying meaning of the challenging behavior, they create positive turning points in the group’s movement towards an environment of safety and mutual support (Gitterman and Wayne, 2003).
This article examines offensive behavior in groups as expressed through rude behavior, obscene language, sex and sexuality, and …show more content…
Yet, it was the expression of the anger that in this instance was a key therapeutic factor for the children.
OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR
IN GROUPS
Social workers must judge when offensive behavior provides an opening and opportunity to reach for significant underlying issues it represents for the member and for the group. The following examples illustrate this point.
Example 1. Beth, a member of a group for mothers in need of parenting skills, began to read a newspaper during a discussion in the group’s second meeting. The worker asked her to please put down the paper. A debilitating power struggle ensued, and Beth did not return the following week.
Example 2. A worker informed a group of pre-adolescent boys that she needed to miss the next two meetings and that a staff person would meet with them instead. The group members sat in silence except for
Lenny, who became very angry and quickly blurted out, “That sucks.
What kind of bullshit is that? Fuck that!” The worker quickly let
Challenges and Opportunities
Julianne Wayne
Alex Gitterman
ABSTRACT. This paper discusses offensive behaviors that often occur in groups. The sources and meanings of such behavior both to the individual and the group are explored. Principles are presented to help workers decide when to respond to the more serious underlying personal and group issues these behaviors may express, and when to confront them directly. The authors also examine the reasons why it is so difficult for workers to deal with offensive behaviors and conclude with practice examples that illustrate ways to use challenging behaviors as stepping stones towards positive individual and group development. [Article copies available for a …show more content…
Social Work with Groups, Vol. 26(2) 2003 http://www.haworthpress.com/store/product.asp?sku=J009 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1300/J009v26n02_03
23
24
SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS
ers may even respond in a punitive manner when confronted by such actions. Reasons for these reactions range from moral indignation to a desire to help members set limits on offensive and destructive behaviors that impede the development of effective social and interpersonal skills.
While these motivations are understandable, seemingly “inappropriate” behaviors often represent disguised calls for help, and provide social workers with opportunities to explore hidden communication, and to demonstrate unconditional acceptance of group members. When workers can see beyond the social infractions and respond to the underlying meaning of the challenging behavior, they create positive turning points in the group’s movement towards an environment of safety and mutual support (Gitterman and Wayne, 2003).
This article examines offensive behavior in groups as expressed through rude behavior, obscene language, sex and sexuality, and …show more content…
Yet, it was the expression of the anger that in this instance was a key therapeutic factor for the children.
OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR
IN GROUPS
Social workers must judge when offensive behavior provides an opening and opportunity to reach for significant underlying issues it represents for the member and for the group. The following examples illustrate this point.
Example 1. Beth, a member of a group for mothers in need of parenting skills, began to read a newspaper during a discussion in the group’s second meeting. The worker asked her to please put down the paper. A debilitating power struggle ensued, and Beth did not return the following week.
Example 2. A worker informed a group of pre-adolescent boys that she needed to miss the next two meetings and that a staff person would meet with them instead. The group members sat in silence except for
Lenny, who became very angry and quickly blurted out, “That sucks.
What kind of bullshit is that? Fuck that!” The worker quickly let