Social Work and Social Reform: An Arena of Struggle

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The twin pressures of containment and change have plagued social work since its origins in the late 19th century. The profession can boast of a long history of progressive activism directed to individual and social change. At the same time, observers within and outside social work have often accused the profession of serving as a handmaiden of the status quo. This contradiction has made the social work profession a site of ongoing struggle. Although often difficult, the battles the profession has endured have ensured that social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities is neither handed down from above nor written in stone. Rather, the design of social work as we know it reflects internal and external political struggles. The presence of this tension becomes critically important, because with it comes opportunity for change. The centennial gives occasion to celebrations, critical reviews, and future visions for the profession. In this spirit, this article reviews the history of activism in social work in a framework of the relationship between social work and social reform as an arena of struggle. Most histories of social work present the story chronologically. I use the history to bring the activist struggles in social work into bold relief. More specifically, I have developed three parallel narratives centered on social work as an arena of struggle: (1) the largely untold history of activism in the profession during the 20th century, (2) the effect of the process of professionalization on social work activism, and (3) the ways the changing political climate shaped the relationship between the profession of social work and its impulse for social reform. The Prochange Mandate in Social Work Social work's commitment to both individual and social change stems from at least three sources: (1) the mandates of our professional organizations, (2) the professional literature, and (3) the long history of activism among social workers themselves. Professional Mandates Since the mid-1960s both the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) have recognized social work's role in social reform. The 1994 CSWE Curriculum Policy Statement (CSWE, 1994) and the 1996 NASW Code of Ethics continue to call for action to improve social conditions as one way for social work to honor its primary obligation to individual and community welfare. Review of the Literature Many social worker scholars have articulated social work's commitment to social reform (Galper, 1975; Haynes & Mickelson, 1997; Mahaffey & Hanks, 1982; Withorn, 1984). Systems, transactional, person-in-situation, empowerment, and other practice theories emphasize the relationship between social conditions and the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The theories assume that individuals grow, change, and develop a sense of mastery best when they can gain self-insight, have real choices, and secure access to the resources and power needed to realize these goals. The theories recognize that communities thrive when governments promote individual and collective responsibility, equal opportunities, and social solidarity. In brief, social work scholarship suggests that, although a focus on individuals is critically important, it may not be enough (Payne, 1991; Simon, 1994). History of Activism The third foundation of social work's commitment to social reform stems from the long history of activism among social workers themselves. Social work activism has had many strands. As is the case in any large group of people, the politics of social workers range across the political spectrum. During the past 100 years, the most visible and documented activism of the organized profession has tended toward liberal reform. The goals of the activist members, however, have ranged from liberal to radical, leading to both collaboration and conflict. …