This study was conducted to explore the applicability of culture & arts education to social work practice for poor children. The method of the qualitative case study was applied to analyze the process of the Project I as culture & arts education in wh...
This study was conducted to explore the applicability of culture & arts education to social work practice for poor children. The method of the qualitative case study was applied to analyze the process of the Project I as culture & arts education in which 51 children in poverty and 13 media artists were participated. These poor children meaningfully experienced cognitively-stimulating environments that the Project I provided. The Project I was associated with the increase of abilities to understand arts, which in turn influenced the level of social cognitive skills in order to avoid conflict and aggressive solutions to interpersonal dilemmas. It was also found that poor children gained self-confidence and self-esteem from accomplishments in the Project I. Poor children with high self-esteem are more likely to resist the temptations of involvement in antisocial behavior. In addition, poor children from the Project I were more likely to have positive role models and express themselves without reservation. Children with positive role models are more likely to have aspirations for their future, which in turn increase the possibilities of positive development and adjustment. Implications for social work practice for poor children are discussed.