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DO NOT BE A "RESCUER"By Phil Bartle, PhDTraining HandoutSome Rescuers are in need of RescueWe as community mobilisers are in a helping industry. We chose a profession that seeks to help low income people to become more self reliant. So we must carefully examine our motivations for wanting to help. For some, that desire can be pathological. A “rescuer” is a person who sees friends and acquaintances in need or lacking something, and then sets out to fix the problem for them. Sometimes that help is unwanted. Sometimes, even, it is unneeded. It is ironical, but that rescuer is herself or himself in need of some fixing. People are often too polite at first to say no thank you to offered assistance when they do not want it. But later it comes out, and the rescuer feels betrayed and unappreciated. Sociological research has uncovered the irony that many people in nurturing and helping professions, eg nursing and elderly care, are holding deep desires to be cared for themselves. Many people in the aid industry are there because they want the rewards of gratitude and respect from their clients. Unfortunately. some of them want even more rewards such as sexual favours, and personal services. In community mobilisation, a “rescuer” is on another path to failure. They have an unrealistic desire to help, even when that help is not needed or wanted. They will become disappointed and frustrated when their assistance is rejected, and when they are treated as busybodies rather than as super heroes. A mobiliser will be happier and healthier when she or he examines her or his motivations for wanting to help, and discards those of a “rescuer.” Be a happy and healthy mobiliser. ––»«––© Copyright 1967, 1987, 2007 Phil Bartle
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