Introduction to Social Work: An Advocacy-based Profession
SAGE Journal Articles
Explore full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected to support and expand on the concepts presented in the chapter.
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Summary:
The nature of social work practice is explored, and whether a definition can be achieved that is inclusive of all social work practitioners. Several sources of difficulty in achieving an inclusive definition are presented, such as the profession's history, the range of social work jobs and the different settings. The original definition of social work practice was conceived as a work in progress. There is no reason to believe that a uniform definition will be achieved, if we continue to view social work in a dichotomized manner, i.e., direct and indirect services, and clinical and administration. Reframing the definitional search is presented from the vantage point of the reality of one's job, where direct and indirect tasks and responsibilities are inherent in every social work job. It is the emphasis, focus, and amount of these responsibilities that differs by level. Thus, social work practice remains as a work in progress.
Summary:
Many practice models in social work focus primarily on the concepts associated with resilience. By contrast, resistance and rebellion, important strategies of the disadvantaged, are often neglected by social workers in developed countries. The authors seek to reconstruct and revitalize the strengths perspective by constructing a framework that includes theories of reflective practice.