Mythologies of German Social Work

Does When We Leave subscribe to 'Mythologies of German Social Work?
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Pratt argued that the ‘Mythologies of German Social Work’ influenced views and discussion about the immigrant youths and the role of social workers in social integration. Social conservative European politicians have increasingly voiced their concerns that the effect of social workers is not so profound for the youth who appear violent and at times radicalized (Ewing, 2006). The depiction of Umay in When we leave, subscribes to the mythologies of social work. This is because the Turkish Muslim descended women have to move away from the patriarchal society to find redemptions, and the social service workers are willing to ‘help’.
Literature and cinematic depictions reinforce cultural stereotypes that people of Turkish descent in Germany are unwilling to integrate. This had informed policy makers when intervening to the extent of downplaying the role of collective identity in shaping opinion and ideas. Casting the Turkish immigrants and their descendants as the ‘other’ makes it harder to foster assimilation. Umay an estranged wife living in her father’s home runs away after overhearing that her son would be sent to Turkey, and finally lives in a woman’s shelter. It is as though the ‘oppressed’ Turkish women have to adapt to life in German including multiculturalism, individualism and integrating aspects of German culture through hybridity.
The ‘Mythologies of German Social Work’ have mostly been visible in the depiction of gender relations. The one-sided representation of males as women oppressors assumes that there are no checks to limit abuse to women, and this has been ongoing narrative influencing social workers. Even though, male children appear more valued in the Turkish community compared to female children, the girls and wome...