Do you ever think about how we talk about our clients, each other, and ourselves?

As social workers, we need to think about the language we use with clients and the language we use to describe clients. Is it person-first language? Is it strengths-based language? Is it objective and free from bias? Have you asked your clients how they self-identify? What assumptions are you making about your clients?

Here is an example: “At-risk youth” versus “at-promise youth.”

”At-risk” is harmful and ambiguous. It describes youth in a negative light and sets them up for failure. Do we want our youth self-identifying with an “at-risk” label? Think about the harmful effects that might have on their own self-worth. They may feel disempowered. They may think, “If this is how my peers, my society, and professionals in my life see me, then what’s the point?” Labeling a youth as “at-risk” ignores the real issue at hand. For example, racial bias plagues schools across the country. Being a minoritized* student is not the risk. The real risk is racism. “At-risk” feeds into racist, classist, sexist ideologies. “At-risk” puts the individual at fault. Our biases tend to make us quick to judge without much thought. As therapists, educators, and community members, it is necessary to identify, process, and address our implicit biases to ensure that we do not put the individual at fault. It is crucial that we do not ignore the intersectionality of each individual’s situation. What are the societal, cultural, systemic barriers at play? How can we help eliminate harmful structures? Ignoring intersectionality is ignoring the reality and the humanity of the situation. “At-risk” is deficit-based. It is associated with youth who are living in difficult situations. Often times, implicit or explicit biases and perceptions associate “at-risk” with “dangerous” or “bad.” We tend to ask, “What do at-risk youth not have/what is working against them?” while ignoring the question, “What do at-promise youth have that will work in their favor, and what are their strengths?” Reducing the deficit-based approach is necessary for real change. Many “at-promise” youth also have incredible protective factors at play. Maybe they love school, or they have a wonderful, supportive family, or maybe they are incredibly resilient. “At-promise” changes the stigmatizing tone to a more hopeful one - one that will lead to success.

“At-promise” rehumanizes and empowers individuals; it may help encourage them for success.”

*The term minoritized recognizes that there is a harmful system issue (e.g. racism) at play that strategically places individuals in a minority status.

Sources: Samuels, C.A. (2020, January 9). ‘At promise? Can a new term for ‘at-risk’ change a student’s trajectory? Education Week.

Mckenzie, L. (2019, November 5). No more ‘at-risk’ students in California. Inside Higher Ed.