A Chivalry Princess : The Self-Narrative of a Social Worker Working in the Community

• Main Authors: Tsai-Yi Yen, 顏采宜
• Other Authors: Yeun-Wen Ku
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/zq88m7

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 社會工作學研究所 === 105 === This is the reflection and course of myself as a new social worker working in a community, learning and finding the balance in between social welfare, social advocacy and social movement. Throughout the time being, the differences that I’ve experienced within the knowledge compared to the family of which I grew up in, caused me to start doubting myself as of who I am and what I’ve known throughout my life. This conflict within myself pushed me forward to work in the community. By working among and interacting with the residents, I felt like a “chivalry knight”. However, issues between me and the authorities emerged during my chivalrous acts. I’m constantly fighting with the authorities and feeling of myself as the rightful side being oppressed. I hated the game of power making me just seem more like an ignorant “princess”. When narrating the course of my family, I realized the difference between me and the person who has power also appeared in the course of my family life. After understanding my family history of how they fought against the system, authority and political issues, in order to advance from blue-collar worker to bourgeoisie to intelligentsia, I started to understand the thinking of the people with power. Relocating my social position, I realized I am not just a “knight” and “princess”, but a “chivalrous” one who can fight against authority, it’s in my blood. After realizing my history, I was more able to liberate myself to living among the different social stratification. Writing this thesis made me a softer person. Now, I can understand why I always feel pain when in need to choose sides. I can feel the multiple identities in my body and living among this diversified society, being able to move between the different class has become an important task in my life. Working in the community sharpens me as who I am, allowing me to realize my most essential self, hones my skills to fight against authorities and also to search for comrades down the same road. This, I believe, is my path home.