Free College Admissions Essays: Social Work Will Allow Me to Grow :: College Admissions Essays

The Study of Social Work Will Allow Me to Grow The rapidly growing elderly population is becoming a serious social problem in many countries. Some countries have been successful at finding solutions for this problem but other(a)s have not. Japan is unitary of the latter countries. Although Japan has one of the highest life expectancy rates and a reputation for good quality of life for its elderly population, it has been unsuccessful at addressing this problem. Compared to other industrialized countries, Japan lags behind in programs for elders who are physically disabled, bedridden or in pack of long term care. The current economic crisis is exacerbating this situation as the government is cutting funding for elder programs. This problem resonates deeply with me, and I hope to someday work on finding a solution. It is for this reason that I am applying to the graduate program in social work at Boston University I seek the skills and knowledge I need to return to Japan and work for a social work service. My interest in the elderly dates back to my childhood. Growing up with my grandparents greatly influenced my values and spirit they taught me to be self-motivated and disciplined. Their resilience and support has helped me to persevere even when confronted with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Because of their kindness toward me I have a deep respect for them and for elderly deal in general. This is what motivates me to become involved in the field of social work. Traditionally in Nipponese society, the care of ones parents is believed to be the childrens duty. After World War II, much(prenominal) traditions have evolved due to changes in family structure. No longer is the eldest child the only one to inherit his parents property, and two-income families have become the norm. These changes have left Japanese people at a loss as to how to care for their aging parents. The current response to this problem seems to be hospitalization. Families in creasingly hospitalize their elders who are physically disabled, bedridden or in need of long-term care. These individuals are usually transferred to nursing homes, but because of sparse accommodations and a one to two year detainment list, they end up staying with family members who are often ill equipped to care for them. As a result, there are a number of incidences of elder step by family members and elder suicide.