Male Bedouin Social Workers in Israel

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to examine gender perceptions within the Bedouin community in Israel, particularly the perception of masculinity among male social workers of the community. These men work in a field in which most of the employees are women, and their professional values conflict with the values of Bedouin culture and society. The research employed a qualitative methodology in the phenomenological tradition. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 20 male Bedouin social workers aged 40–54, all married and fathers. The interviews revealed their struggle to accommodate both their personal and professional masculinity and their society’s traditional view of masculinity. This complex dichotomy is manifested in the different behaviour of the social workers within their society and in their personal and professional spaces. IMPLICATIONS Respecting or honouring local knowledge is important for social workers in all contexts. Bedouin social workers integrate two types of values and principles—those of social work and those of their local culture—that are equally important and that present a fascinating ethical challenge for them. Recognising native knowledge is an important aspect of a social worker’s education.