THE STATUS OF SOCIAL WORK AS PERCEIVED BY KEY HUMAN SERVICE PROFESSIONALS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15270/46-3-157Abstract
First-hand experience in various practice settings points to large-scale misunderstanding,ignorance and undervaluing of social work. In fact, it may be argued that the social worker is
often confused, lacks confidence and has a weak voice when compared to other professionals.
Barter (cited in Shera, 2003:203) adds that the profession is indeed actively marginalised and is
losing ground to nurses, health workers and occupational therapists. Dane and Simone (cited in
Dittrich, 1994:19) also mention this marginality and token status that is generally attributed to
social workers in secondary settings such as hospitals, schools, legal aid offices, nursing
homes, business and industry. Their explanation for this perception is that, where social
workers are few in number but their visibility high, this may lead to their decisions being
constantly scrutinised, thereby undervaluing and undermining their worth. To add to this
complexity these writers introduce the dimension of gender into the undervaluing of the
profession, stating that social work may be “devalued as women’s work in such settings that are
predominantly male in inspiration” (Dittrich, 1994:20).
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