Political Content in Social Work Education as Reported by Elected Social Workers

Inspiring and Training Students for Social Action: Renewing a Needed Tradition

“…These include influencing legislation (Hoefer, 2005;Teater, 2009) and involving clients and highlighting client data in the policy-making process (Haynes & Mickelson, 2010). New scholarship has added to our knowledge of the scope and impact of social workers elected to public offices in the United States (Lane, 2011); variables that predict social workers' political activity (Andrews, 1998;Enzell, 1993;Hamilton & Fauri, 2001;Parker & Sherraden, 1991;Ritter, 2008;Wolk, 1981); and the reasons many find it difficult to involve themselves in social action (Hartnett, Harding, & Scanlon, 2005;Rocha et al, 2010). As educators, especially in social work schools with a clinical or direct practice focus, helping students see both the relevance and the importance of social justice in their work is the first challenge; teaching strategies and skills in this area is the second (Figueira-McDonough, 1993;Wolk, Pray, Weismiller, & Dempsey, 1996).…”

“…Lobby Days frequently are included in social work education to provide students with an immersion in the political environment (Lane, 2011). The state-level lobby/learn trips were one-day bus trips to the state capitol sponsored by the state chapter of the NASW.…”

MSW Students' Perspectives on Social Work Goals and Social Activism Before and After Completing Graduate Education

“…This has remained remarkably consistent regardless of samples of subjects studied since the sixties. Another 10% identify as independent or nonaffiliated, with a small core group characterized as radical left (Domanski, 1998;Fisher et al, 2001;Lane, 2011;Reeser & Epstein, 1990;Rosenwald, 2006). When a "moderate" category is added, it usually reduces the numbers of liberals overall.…”

“…There are few systemic studies that examine social or political activism of U.S. social work practitioners (Domanski, 1998;Lane, 2011 ;Reeser & Epstein, 1990;Ritter, 2007Ritter, ,2008. Again, a limitation is that each defines and measures activism somewhat differently with different cohorts.…”

“…A recent study (Lane, 2011) found over 400 political social workers across the U.S. in electoral activist positions. Compared to Ritter's (2008) finding that only 21% thought their social work education contributed to their political activism.…”