Posted by Toph on December 21, 2008, at 7:16:04
In reply to Re: Praise for the civil phrase » lucie lu, posted by Dinah on December 19, 2008, at 22:58:33
In my job as a protective services worker I am charged with assessing harm and risk to children and vulnerable adults. I have to confront perpetrators of abuse and neglect and even adults who are self-neglecting. I have to document my observations and describe individual,the facts and share my judgements with the court. Fortunately, I sometimes I get to use such words as adequate, competent, capable, intelligent, continent, ambulatory, managing well compliant with their medication, safe and many other nice descriptors. Most of the time I describe people as abusive, neglectful, incompetent, dangerous, filthy, molested, confused, malnurished, pathologic, psychotic, dishonest, thieves, and a host of other unpleasantries. In my work when I use I-statements I feel like I am being disingenuous, avoidant and manipulative. When I am not direct and honest with my assessments in courts the judge, attorneys and interested parties treat me like I am incompetent and stupid. And to think they call it a civil proceeding.
poster:Toph
thread:869731
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20081003/msgs/870005.html