by Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW
Glad Social Work Month!
I’ve been reflecting on the theme of this yr’s Social Work Month, “The Time is Proper for Social Work”—and I’ve acquired some ideas to share. However first, some questions:
- What about this time makes it proper for social work?
- What about social work makes us proper for this second?
What about this time makes it proper for social work?
I don’t assume anybody will argue with me that this time is a difficult one. We’re a divided nation, with competing world views and priorities. Some have even instructed that we’re in a struggle for the soul of our nation. It positive feels that manner. A number of of us have misplaced belief within the establishments which were the “glue” holding this nation collectively: our federal authorities, electoral processes, scientific institution, and our system of upper training. Now, to be honest, I feel it important that we re-examine these regularly.
To what extent have our authorities, electoral processes, scientific institution, and/or establishments of upper training promulgated white supremacy? Colonization? Imperialism? Are these establishments attaining what they had been created to attain? Are there equitable outcomes for all segments of society? These are critically essential inquiries to ask ourselves periodically in order that we are able to decide to adjustments that can enable us to make good on the promise of this nation—which is why I feel this time is true for social work.
After we are being our greatest skilled selves, we aren’t afraid to ask laborious questions. We don’t search for simple or easy options to complicated issues. We keep away from binary considering. We think about how adjustments in a single system have an effect on different components of the system. We lead with the values of fairness and justice in how we predict and what we do. This time requires all this stuff, which makes it proper, even important, for social work to be on the desk and to steer.
What about social work makes us proper for this second?
The historical past of our occupation is filled with each superb achievements and ill-considered involvement in programs which have damage individuals. I really like that social work was born as a response to the challenges that arose with industrialization and urbanization. I’m proud to be a member of the occupation that emerged as a voice for the poor and disenfranchised, and that social staff led actions to finish baby labor, to advance maternal and baby well being, to guard staff from abusive work situations, and facilitated suffrage for girls and African Individuals.
However the occupation has additionally performed a task in some occasions that introduced ache and run counter to our values. One instance of this involves thoughts shortly: the participation of social staff within the internment of Japanese Individuals throughout World Warfare II. There are different examples, each historic and up to date, of conditions wherein social staff have been co-opted, our abilities appropriated, and the end result has been dangerous—maybe unintentionally, however dangerous, nonetheless.
We should be prepared to be trustworthy with ourselves in order that we could act with integrity and humility. Different professions, establishments, and people have to be doing the identical factor, but when we decide to doing this as a occupation, social staff can lead by instance.
We’re able to this; let’s decide to doing it. And present others that social work is true for this second.
Sure, “The Time Is Proper for Social Work.” For the social work perspective. For social work values. For social work management.
Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW, is President and Chief Govt Officer of the Council on Social Work Schooling (CSWE). CSWE is the nationwide affiliation of colleges and applications of social work, representing almost 900 accredited undergraduate and graduate applications. CSWE’s Fee on Accreditation is acknowledged by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the only accrediting company for social work training within the U.S.. By its many initiatives, actions, and facilities, CSWE helps high quality social work training and offers alternatives for management {and professional} growth in order that social staff play a central position in attaining the occupation’s targets of social and financial justice.
