“Unless we are Native, we are all immigrants to Canada”: Tensions between multicultural inclusion and settler-colonial consciousness among Canadian social workers

Bhuyan, Rupaleem; Osazuwa, Sandra; Hanley, Jill; Schmidt, Catherine; Park, Yoosun

doi:10.1080/15313204.2023.2291663

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Gravelle (2018) identified partisanship, economic interests, perceived cultural threat (i.e., threat to Whiteness as the norm), and the local context as explanatory factors for negative public attitudes toward immigrants in Canada. Our study aims to contribute to this literature by examining nuances in attitudes among Canadian social workers whose affinity for social justice and multiculturalism is central to the profession's identity (Bhuyan et al, 2023).…”

Section: Research On Social Workers' Attitudes Toward Immigrantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canadian social workers’ attitudes toward immigrants with different legal statuses in Canada

Bhuyan,

Osazuwa,

Schmidt

et al. 2024

Journal of Social Work

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary This study contributes to the ongoing efforts to address systemic inequality within social work by examining Canadian social workers’ attitudes toward immigrants who are permanent residents (PR), refugees, temporary residents (TR), or undocumented immigrants. Using a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample (n = 653), we explore how social workers’ attitudes toward immigrants vary in relation to (a) respondents’ demographics, (b) contact with immigrants, (c) perceptions of equal opportunities among immigrants, (d) perceptions of deservingness for immigrants with different legal statuses, and (e) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these attitudes. Findings While Canadian social workers generally express positive attitudes toward immigrants, there is a slightly stronger endorsement for PR and refugees to access public services compared to nonstatus (NS) immigrants and TR. Social workers who identify as conservative or have limited contact with immigrants are more likely to perceive NS immigrants as potential criminal threats or burdens on the healthcare system. Significantly, a majority of respondents feel that their social work training inadequately prepares them to work effectively with immigrants. Applications Canadian social workers advocate for principles of diversity, inclusion, and commitment to social justice. However, perceptions regarding which immigrants deserve access to social services vary based on legal status, suggesting a limitation in social workers’ professional mandate. The study discusses implications for social work education and training, emphasizing the need to address and unsettle systemic racism within the profession.

show abstract

Section: Research On Social Workers' Attitudes Toward Immigrantsmentioning

confidence: 99%