Lessons from Social Work’s History for a Tumultuous Era

Abstract

For more than a century, political-economic, demographic, and ideological forces have shaped US social work. Torn between social justice and status enhancement, the profession vacillated between advocating for social reform and seeking elite support. Ongoing contradictions between empowerment and expertise, social change and social control, and collaboration with and coercion of constituents reflect this tension. During the past 4 decades, neoliberalism, antiwelfare perspectives, and hyperpartisan politics transformed social work practice and its research and knowledge base. The 2016 election rocked the profession and produced significant changes for the people with whom we work and the nature of social work. New social movements, such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, and global action over climate change and gun violence have also posed new challenges. Social workers must now reexamine long-standing assumptions about practice and evidence; their relationship to power, place, and context; and their role in shaping the future of US society.

Diverse Views of Political Empowerment Among Community College Students Who Receive Food Assistance Benefits

“…The language of empowerment was a response to the limitations faced by clients to achieve self-determination: exploitation, oppression, inequality, and lack of opportunity; empowerment requires an active stance and "implies that people not only have the right to self-determination, but also the right to the power ability, and authority to achieve self-determination" (Hartman, 1993, p. 365). In order for change-oriented social work practice to occur, power must be understood and empowerment strategies need to be implemented in micro, mezzo, and macro settings (Almeleh et al, 1993;Fisher, 1995;Reisch, 2019). As we continue to explore issues related to understanding and measuring empowerment, it is important to remember that actions demonstrating empowerment might not look the same in every individual.…”

“…Since the beginnings of the social work profession, unequal distribution of power has impacted vulnerable populations and shaped the focus of social work (Reisch, 2019). Through her work at Hull-House, Jane Addams viewed poverty as a consequence of economic, social, and political structures, not individual deficits (Gutierrez & Lewis, 1999).…”

Introducing the Theory of Neurosocial Interdependence

“…Social work has also come to use feminist theory and critical race theory (CRT) toward breaking down patriarchal constructs of mental health and centering communities of color in discussions of resource provision and acquisition (Constance-Huggins, 2012; Kolivoski et al, 2014;Sands & Nuccio, 1992;Saulnier, 2000). Alongside these frameworks, PIE has increased in popularity across the field of social work and has brought many unique strengths to clinical practice and research (Engel & Schutt, 2016;Hepworth et al, 2016;Hutchinson, 2017;Kondrat, 2013;Reisch, 2019;Rogers, 2022;Rogge & Cox, 2001;Zastrow et al, 2018).…”

Uprooting (Our) Whiteness

“…As Reisch (2019) examined issues of contemporary relevance through the lens of social work history, he found that the profession remains "torn between social justice and status enhancement … between advocating for social reform and seeking elite support" (p. 581). White dominance can be seen through these reformist leanings and contradictory loyalties, which expose the profession of social work as a mode of White hegemonic social control.…”