Social work emerged as a profession in response to social disparities brought on by the Industrial Revolution and subsequent urbanization.
SOCIAL WORK HISTORY, MISSION, AND YOUR ROLE
Social work emerged as a profession in response to social disparities brought on by the Industrial Revolution and subsequent urbanization. One type of practice, called macro practice, developed through the community work of Jane Addams and Hull-House, which focused on creating a socially just environment in which communities could thrive. Another pivotal figure, Mary Richmond, focused on helping the individual and family to develop skills and resources needed to be successful in society—what is known as micro practice. The history of the social work profession includes countless individuals who devoted their lives to social change, equality, and social justice, incorporating their accompanying values into the profession.
What will be your role in the history of social work? How will you draw upon that rich history? What from that history can help you articulate how you see your role? How can your role help effect positive social change? Consider these questions as you engage with this week’s Discussion.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
TO PREPARE
· Review this week’s Learning Resources focusing on the history of social work and the mission of social work.
· Recall the Mission of Social Work: Mission of Social Work, as defined by the NASW Code of Ethics (2021): “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession's focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.”
· Reflect on your inspiration, goals, and the social work role you see for yourself.
BY DAY 3
Post a response to the following:
· Explain how 1 or more aspects of the history of social work relate to the social work population with whom you want to work.
· Explain how the mission of social work aligns with your goals for your social work career.
Support your post with examples from the course text to demonstrate that you have completed the required readings, understand the material, and are able to apply the concepts.
BY DAY 6
Respond to at least one colleague by drawing connections between their analysis of social work history, social work mission, and social change with yours.
REFERENCES
· Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2019). Introduction to social work: An advocacy-based profession (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
· Chapter 2: “The History of Social Work” Download Chapter 2: “The History of Social Work” (pp. 23–37)
Introduction to Social Work: An Advocacy-Based Profession, 2nd Edition by Cox, L.; Tice, C.; Long, D. Copyright 2019 by SAGE Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications, Inc via the Copyright Clearance Center. Licensed in 2020.
· Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2019). Introduction to social work: An advocacy-based profession (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
· Chapter 4: “Advocacy in Social Work” Download Chapter 4: “Advocacy in Social Work” (pp. 57–75)
Introduction to Social Work: An Advocacy-Based Profession, 2nd Edition by Cox, L.; Tice, C.; Long, D. Copyright 2019 by SAGE Publications, Inc. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications, Inc via the Copyright Clearance Center. Licensed in 2020.
· Reisch, M. (2016). Why macro practice matters Links to an external site. . Journal of Social Work Education, 52(3), 258–268. https://doi.org/10.1080/23303131.2016.1179537
· VCU Libraries Social Welfare History Project. (n.d.). Richmond, Mary Links to an external site. . https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/social-work/richmond-mary/
· Jane Addams Hull-House Museum Links to an external site. . (n.d.). Home. https://www.hullhousemuseum.org/
· Walden University: Academic Skills Center. (n.d.). Developing SMART goals Links to an external site. . https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/academic-skills-center/skills/smart-goals
· Academic Skills Resources: Locate the Academic Skills Resources page under Start Here for your Assignment this week.
MEDIA
· National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Social work history Links to an external site. . https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Social-Work-History
Note: Watch the “Legacies of Social Change” video at the bottom of this page.
· Walden University: Student Affairs. (n.d.). Walden SafeAssign and academic integrity tutorial [Interactive tutorial] Links to an external site. . https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/studentaffairs/academicintegrity#s-lg-box-16524229
Note: Take this online tutorial for the Assignment this week. The tutorial provides a certificate to download upon completion. You must submit this certificate in the Assignment.
· Walden University Library. (n.d.). Becoming a scholar [Interactive tutorial] Links to an external site. . https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/c.php?g=259282&p=6149946#s-lg-box-wrapper-22937499
· Walden University Library. (n.d.). Critical reading and evaluation [Interactive tutorial] Links to an external site. . https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/c.php?g=259282&p=6149946#s-lg-box-wrapper-22937514
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YesterdayDec 5 at 2:06pm
I am open to work with different populations. I have an extensive background working with children, but I am interested in working with different ages. I am interested in healthcare social work. Therefore, this aspect of the history of social work will fit. In 1935 President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president during the Great Depression Era. He made extreme changes in social welfare policy. He put into effect the New Deal. This new policy provided “unemployment insurance, social security system for older people, dependent children, and individual with physical challenges.” (Cox et al., 2019, p. 30-31) The New Deal provided more opportunities of employment, but it did not address racial discrimination.
In the 1930s social workers organized the rank and file movement. This movement started because social workers realized that they were underpaid, they were overworked, and their living situations were barely better than their clients. (Cox et al., 2019, p. 31) They created unions, but after World War II, the movement was dissolved. The people who worked in this movement were linked to the communist party and, they were fired. (Cox et al., 2019, p. 31)
These historical events relate to my work in this field because if I could help clients with social security issues, employment, etc. As I progress in my studies I hope to understand social welfare policy more.
I would like to become a strong advocate for my clients in the future. Advocacy is part of the mission of social work and aligns with my social work career goals. As I was reading the text this caught my eye. Cause advocacy necessitates social workers to be knowledgeable about social action and ways to create social change. Social workers engage in many types of cause advocacy, such as legal advocacy, legislative advocacy, self-advocacy, and system advocacy. (Cox et al., 2019, p. 58)
References
Cox, L. E., Tice C. G., & Long D. D. (2019). Introduction to social work: An advocacy-based profession (2nd ed.) SAGE Publications, Inc.
References
Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2019). Introduction to social work: An advocacy-based profession (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
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