Upon starting this article, I wasn't sure whether to call this "The Four Different Types" or "The Four Different Stages," so I'm kind of blending the two together. From my observation in real life, and from gaining knowledge by reading @familyprotection posts, I have a theory that there are stages in the evolution of the average social worker. I think some go through all stages, and some go through a couple, and some may be a blend... but rarely do they stay in the first stage. So without further ado, here they are.

1.) The Savior

This social worker is probably young. She grew up in a cushy little bubble and knows nothing about adversity or the real world. She has good intentions and wants to make a difference and do her part to truly save poor abused children. I believe many social workers start out this way, and are bright eyed and bushy tailed straight out of the university. My last social worker was very young, and she even said to herself under her breath once, "Oh Kayla, Always wanting to save the world..."

She came from a different county, and was scolded when she spent too long talking to my husband. Her defense was, "Well, where I come from, you're supposed to build a relationship with the parents." She arranged for me to receive goodwill vouchers and a Walmart giftcard. I went from homelessness to getting my house back, and I needed supplies for the house after it was ransacked by meth heads, it's a long story. She was very helpful, and eventually dropped the case.

2.) The Cynic

This social worker is disillusioned, and hes seen too much evil, both from truly abusive parents, and from the corruption in the system. His/her personal life may also be a mess. She has lost all trust in human sincerity, and she cuts off her emotions while she keeps going through the motions of her job. She has made compromises, and may struggle in private, but has a generally cynical outlook of the world and feels powerless.

3.) The Power Trip

Knowing how the world is supposed to work, she throws her weight around to shape it as she sees fit. She looks to society's standards as a compass, and forces parents to adhere to these standards. She has no insight into alternative ways of living, nor does she have the patience for it. Close to a robot or machine with a God comlpex, she values conformity and has little sympathy for a parent's plight, her decisions are based heavily on hunches and how she feels. Let's just hope she likes you.

4.) The Black Heart

Maybe she started out on the good side of the force, but she has been hardened, and now has learned how to work the system. She has been trained to exploit every weakness, and is a master at deception. She rips families apart for fun and for money, as this brings her the greatest rewards. She is truly evil, has no conscience and no scruples. Pray you never cross paths with this type of social worker.

I'd like to add a fifth type here: The hypocrite.

This could be at any stage of the journey, but social workers are no strangers to the same problems the rest of humanity faces. How they can separate their job with their issues and behaviors in their personal life is a superpower. Their lives are not copacetic with their career at all! I'll give you some examples...

• My husband had a friend in high school named Brent. He and Brent spent most of their time smoking weed in Brent's basement, which was also his bedroom. Brent's mom was a social worker and knew all about it.

• Rumors are rumors, but I have read accounts from annonymous people on our city's "confessions" Facebook page, that there is a social worker here in town who is a drunk, and spreads STD's around everywhere.

• Here on Steemit, I've read in the comments of one of my posts, that there is a social worker out there who doesn't even have her own kids, but somehow is allowed to continue on in her work.

So what do you think? Was I accurate in pinpointing the different types of social workers? Is there anything you'd like to add? Comments welcome!!

Love, snowpea ❤

Pixabay used for meme and other image