"Sic" Myths

Clearing the air on “Sic” (Six) Myths associated with Social Work

Ever since my childhood, I have respected and admired the profession of social work. My liberal education has also sensitized towards social- economic issues and taught to question the system whenever things go awry. However, I find many of us especially elders in my hometown are cynical towards this profession and have formed various pre-conceived notions about it. This article is written particularly for them and I hope it brings about some change in their mindset, miniscule though it may be. Are they reading?

1) Social work is for affluent people: Who says so? Charity begins at home. You need not have large chest for storing wealth rather you need a big heart to pursue social work. “Every drop makes an ocean,” they say. Your contribution may make miniscule difference but you will applaud yourself for doing something good.

2  2) Social work takes up too much time and effort: In fact, this is a profession that does not require special skill or effort. Just try to donate old goodies to people of a nearby slum area or may be teach underprivileged children free of cost. I am sure you can spend an hour or so every day of your spare time.

3  3) First improve yourself and then go for social work: Life is a journey. The process of improving and developing your self is continuous. You can pursue social work simultaneously. By the way, nobody is perfect.

4  4) Social work involves lot of travelling and hence not suitable for ladies: In today’s world there is no such thing which cannot be accomplished by women. Stop under-estimating women, please. Travelling is only one aspect of it. Other department also includes communication, graphic designing, fundraising and the like.

5  5) Social work is not lucrative profession: I agree it may not be as lucrative as engineering or architecture but it is high time, we should stop judging a profession on basis of salary it fetches. The amount of satisfaction you get from this profession is uncomparable. When you do not expect anything in return, your joy and satisfaction from it gets double- trust me, its true.

6  6) NGO’s are hotbeds of corruption: Unfortunately corruption has permeated into every institution of our country and NGOs are no exception. But why blame the institution? The best thing we can do is to ensure that we do not get co-opted in the web of corruption. The recent report alleging that only few NGOs are registered, has given fillip to such myths. But that applies to several companies and educational institutions too.