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What is Social Work?

 

What is Social Work?

Social work is a field of study in social sciences. It concerned with study of social problems and social intervention. It is an academic subject as well as practice discipline. It sets to study individual, group, communities and institution and these remain as academic boundary of subject. Social worker involve in direct practice and intervention in the field thus it is practice discipline. It is a scientific discipline which still requires creative and artful approach to work with individuals, families, groups and communities that are struggling with problems. Social worker focused on helping people to improve their social functioning, their ability to interact and relate to others.

Social work may be defined as an art, a science, and a profession that helps people solve personal, group (especially family), and community problems and attain satisfying personal, group, and community relationships through social work practice. The major focus is on reducing problems in human relationships and on enriching living through improved human interaction.

Social work is an art; it requires great skills to understand people and to help them to help themselves. It is a beginning science because of its problem solving method and its attempt to be objective in ascertaining facts and in developing principles and operational concepts. It is a profession because it encompasses the attributes of a profession.

Some definitions of Social work

Anderson (1943) stated, “Social work is a professional service rendered to the people for the purpose of assisting them, as individuals or in groups to attain satisfying relationships and standards of life in accordance with their particular wishes and capacities and in harmony with those of the community”.

Friedlander (1951) defined, “Social work is a professional service, based on scientific knowledge and skill in human relations, which assists individuals, alone or in groups, to obtain social and personal satisfaction and independence”.

According to Indian Conference of Social work (1957) “Social work is a welfare activity based on humanitarian philosophy, scientific knowledge and technical skill for helping individuals or community, to live a rich and full life.”

Mirza R. Ahmad (1969) said, “Social work is professional service based on the knowledge of human relations and skills in relationships and concerned with intra-personal and inter-personal adjustments resulting from unmet individual, group or community needs”. This definition has emphasized on role social work as professional practice to bring intra-personal (within the person) and inter-personal (between persons) adjustments.

Pincus and Minahan (1978) combinely gave a definition of social work saying, “Social work is concerned with the interaction between people and their environment which affects the ability of people to accomplish their life tasks, alleviate distress, and realize their aspirations and values”.

The Social Work Dictionary (1995) defines social work as “the applied science of helping people achieve an effective level of psychosocial functioning and effecting societal changes to enhance the well-being of all people.”

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Social Work is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to this goal. Social Work practice consists of the professional application of Social Work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve processes. The practice of Social Work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social, economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interactions of all these factors.

International Association of School of Social Work (IASSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) argue, social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being.

Curriculum Study sponsored by CSWE (1959) “Social work seeks to enhance the social functioning of individuals, singly and in groups, by activities focused upon their social relationships which constitute the interaction between man and his environment. These activities can be grouped into three functions: restoration of impaired capacity, provision of individual and social resources, and prevention of social dysfunction.”

Global Definition of Social Work

The following definition was approved by the IFSW General Meeting and the IASSW General Assembly  in July 2014:

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.  Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing. The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional levels.”

Thus Social work is

  • a professional practice which critically involves professional knowledge, skills, tools and techniques for dealing with human behavior
  • mainly emphasizes on the analysis and synthesis of human behavior for establishing a growth-producing relationship
  • Concerned with individual and social problems which are solved by applying different methods and techniques.
  • Giving much emphasis on social adjustment.
  • Its main objective is to help the individuals to become self-dependent.
  • It aims at permanent solution of problems and prevention of their occurring through proactive measures.
  • It relates the available resources with the needs of individuals, groups and community at large.
  • It also integrates and coordinates the means and resources of social development.
  • It believes in democratic values.
  • It is based on humanitarian philosophy

Question (Answer this question in comment)

What do you mean by social work?

 

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