Counselors are concerned with the need of shaping, guiding and influencing people to emotional stability, morality and personal success. Through their skills and knowledge, they steer people to understand behaviors that are ideal in improving healthy living (Davis, 2010).
The case of ‘Rust belt’ city demonstrates the importance of counselors’ roles in shaping the society. Over time, economic activities have significantly declined in the city leading to poverty and multiple economic challenges.
On the other hand, the level of teenage pregnancies has drastically increased. For this reason, people have accepted and conformed to the problems since it is regarded as part of the norms.
If I were an interventionist, I would bring into attention the social challenges facing the community. Through the adoption of intellectual competency and people skills, I would arouse interest on the problems that have grown and developed in the area.
Notably, parents have laxity in handling teens’ issues while teens lack self-control on the prevailing challenges. Hence, issues on parental responsibility and teens behaviors will be considered as critical topics in the community.
When people appreciate the challenges facing them, it is essential to offer counseling regarding the mitigation measures and positive living (Dougherty, 2010).
Counseling exercise is demanding since personal attributes such as being visionary, passionate, courageous, inspiring, honesty, confident, empathic listener, fairness and effective communicator are required. The integration of these attributes with leadership skills enables one to address effectively the issues at hand.
As such, people will forward their challenges such as economic problems and social qualms. Therefore, I would analyze their concerns and provide directions on matters that are crucial in order to restore healthy living and morality in the community. This process will demand the segmentation of the topics based on the age groups such as parents and teens.
It is crucial to point out the level of laxity that has prevailed amongst parents with respect to the provision for their children. In this case, economic issues will be integrated into societal challenges in order to counsel the parents.
Through the provision of alternative means of survival, which enhances livelihood, parents would realize their responsibilities for the children. At the same time, parents would comprehend that the teenage pregnancies issue is a menace in the society.
Consequently, I would offer services pertaining parental responsibility to teens with respect to the provision of basic needs and emotional stability.
In this regard, it is essential to realize that parents and teachers have the responsibility to guide children on issues concerning sex and emotional growth. Although these matters are broad, it is essential to arouse pressing issues, and focus on the implementation of the acquired skills and knowledge among the parents (Davis, 2010).
The segment of teens also demands considerable counseling concerning their lives. In this case, teens have to be guided on the virtues that ensure one lives responsibly. This implies that issues enhancing self-sufficiency and self-control are ideal for teens to realize the prevailing conditions in the community.
For this reason, teens should be taught on the alternative means of living healthy apart from participating in sexual activities. However, in the case where abstinence is difficult, teens would be given lessons concerning the use of protective methods (Dougherty, 2010).
As a result, the prevalence of teenage pregnancies would decline immensely. At the same time, parents will be responsible for their teens since they have the right skills and knowledge. This will enhance strengths of morals and healthy living in the society.
References
Davis, T. E. (2010). The School Counselor’s Book of Lists. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Dougherty, A. M. (2010). A casebook of psychological consultation and collaboration in school and community settings (6th ed.). Australia: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.