Social Work: Historical Roots and Future Perspectives

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Historical Roots of Social Work
Social Work as a Profession
Prospective Future of Social Work
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Social work is a discipline and academic profession centered on promoting change and development in the community. The field investigates all factors affecting society and finds ways to overcome them. An example of social work activity is helping individuals and families recover from the impacts of substance abuse through training. The fundamental principles of social work include human rights, social justice, collective responsibility, people empowerment, and respect for diversity (Crisp, 2019). Social workers are critical change agents in society and must be promoted for a better quality of life to be achieved.

The origin of social work can be traced to volunteers who wanted to address the social question in society. The volunteers were concerned about the increasing poverty rates in a prosperous society (Lavié & Fernandez, 2018). The capitalist economy was impoverishing the poor to enrich the business tycoons. Social work in Europe emerged in the 19^th century when Christian social organizations supported struggling working-class families (Zaviršek & Rajgelj, 2019).

The philanthropic movements focused on Western European industrialized countries to aid poverty reduction by empowering penurious workers. In the second half of the 19^th century, the concept of philanthropy to improve the life of workers spread throughout Europe, and the charity organization society was formed (Crisp, 2019). Most of the workers of the philanthropic organization were female. They focused on the suffering encountered by struggling working-class families to improve their quality of life.

However, the need for social work services increased with time as capitalism flourished. The industrialists had unions that offered them legal protection from interference by charity organizations. The philanthropist wondered about the best way of improving charity through rational means and incorporating scientific action. Consequently, workers in charity organizations required basic knowledge in psychology and socio-economic development (Zaviršek & Rajgelj, 2019). The psychological knowledge was to help in lowering the depression suffered by the working class. In contrast, socio-economic knowledge would help in policy formulation to protect the workers using a scientific viewpoint. As a result of the scientific requirement for successful social development, an academic profession to study the field emerged.

Most social workers in the late 19^th century belonged to the bourgeoisie and wanted to obtain class equality. They came together to lobby for an academic discipline that teaches people to fight for community rights from a professional point of view. Columbia University was the first ever school to offer a degree in social work in 1898 (Crisp, 2019). The class struggle made many people wish to join colleges to be professionals in social work as a prerequisite for instituting societal change. Since the introduction of social work academic qualification, different sectors of the economy require people educated in social work to help make society a better place.

The educated social workers became powerful in Europe as they not only challenged the crony capitalists but also challenged the government to improve the well-being of people. As globalization started, the social work movements lobbied for equality when treating immigrants, worked towards eliminating poverty, and aided all the people in need. Social work started in Europe as poverty relief spread worldwide as the workers became passionate about people’s suffering worldwide. Social work is among the most revered academic qualifications required in various employment platforms. Most governmental appointments require people qualified in social work to help in the public service (Lavié & Fernandez, 2018).

In the hospital setting, social workers are paramount in the health promotion and reduction of lifestyle diseases. Social work today has evolved to be the world’s defender of human rights and a key agent in the development of humanity. One of the most influential social workers in the contemporary world is Joe Kort, who specializes in helping families in the USA through couple counseling (Zaviršek & Rajgelj, 2019). An increase in the number of social workers increases society’s quality of life.

The world is experiencing an exponential rise in population, poverty, and climate change problems. Consequently, the number of societal problems is expected to increase. The future of the social work profession is promising, and more social work jobs will be open for professionals in the field. The rise in population and poverty leads to challenges such as drug abuse, family problems, and crime. The police service will also require social workers in the fight against crime in impoverished societies. The bureau of labor statistics in the USA projects a growth of 12% in social work by 2030 (Crisp, 2019). It is imperative to note that the profession’s growth rate is higher than all other professions worldwide. Social workers are highly needed in nations that are moving from industrialization to a service society.

Conclusion

Social work is a noble profession that aims at improving people’s life. It started as a philanthropic organization in Europe in the late 19^th century by helping struggling working families. The need to help the working class employees was the impoverishment perpetuated by the crony capitalists. The field was turned into a profession as the challenges facing the poverty-stricken workers required scientific tools. Consequently, colleges and universities offered social work as a professional course, and its services expanded worldwide. Social work is expected to grow at a higher rate as the population, and other societal problems increase worldwide.

References

Crisp, B. R. (2019). Social work education: Moving the profession into the future. Australian Social Work, 72(1), 3–7. Web.

Lavié, A. H., & Fernandez, A. I. L. (2018). New social intervention technologies as a challenge in social work: IFSW Europe perspective. European Journal of Social Work, 21(6), 824–835. Web.

Zaviršek, D., & Rajgelj, B. (2019). Anti-refugee sentiment without refugees: Human rights violations and social work in the social context of post-socialist countries of Southeastern Europe. Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, 4(1), 5-16. Web.

Click Here To Order Now!

Introduction

Historical Roots of Social Work

Social Work as a Profession

Prospective Future of Social Work

Conclusion

References

Related