Friday, 13 April 2012

Tutorial 2: Occupational Engagment, Doing, Being, Becoming and Belonging


Making a Cup of Tea
(Click on the link above to view Slideshow)

I chose the occupation of tea-making because it is a common place task that individuals engage in in the workplace, at home or out with friends. Tea-making can be a way of caring for others and is primarily a domestic task. I have been involved in tea-making on a Fieldwork placement where patients or clients are asked to complete a tea assessment for the Occupational Therapist to assess safety and the client's ability to carry out a task. In Humanities for Occupational Therapy making a cup of tea is an activity of value for its familiarity, social interaction and therapeutic qualities.

The terms doing, being, becoming and belonging are central concerns of the Occupational Therapy profession as they are terms that relate to both occupation and human experience (Rowles, 1991). Rowles (1991) states that ‘doing’ contributes to an individual’s self-worth through occupational performance. Doing stimulates, entertains and occupies time and is a powerful determinant of well-being and self-worth (Wilcock, 1998b). Being is when one is self-reflective, introspective or values the presence of others. Belonging occurs when an individual experiences social support, friendship and a feeling of inclusion which then lead to greater life satisfaction and fulfilment (Hammel,2004). Becoming is the idea of being able to imagine a future self and who or what they wish to become later in their lives (Hammel, 2004). Becoming also incorporates ideas of self-perception and the ability of an individual to control their environment.

The images chosen in the PowerPoint reflect these concepts. ‘Doing’ is seen in the images of the process of tea making, from the selection of the type of tea to the pouring and the drinking of this beverage. Tea drinking is purposeful and goal-orientated as it has an end point where the individual can sit down and enjoy what they have created. ‘Being’ is seen in the images where tea drinkers appreciate being with valued people. ‘Becoming’ is achieved in the self-value that is created through the successful making of tea and the belief that the individual creates in their own abilities. ‘Belonging’ is evident in the images where individuals drink tea together creating social interaction and inclusion.

Ethical considerations I have made in relation to these images are mentioning where my images are sourced (as evident in the end slide of the PowerPoint). I have stated which images I have taken on my own camera and which ones I have sourced from the internet. I have informed consent from the owner of the kitchen and furnishings which I have taken images of and the owner is aware that these images are to be placed on both the SlideShare website as well as Blogger.com. Additionally, I have included information about experiences that I had on placement but I have maintained privacy by not mentioning the location or the name of where this placement was.

References:

Wilcock, A.A. (1998b).  Reflections on doing, being becoming.  Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 248-256.

Hammell, K.W. (2004). Dimensions of meaning in the occupations of daily life.  Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71 (5).

Rowels, G.D. (1991). Beyond performance: Being in place as a component of occupational therapy.  American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45, 265-271.






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