‘Doing’ social work : critical considerations on theory and practice in social work

• Social work is a multi-dimensional and contradictory field of practice,which often leads to theoretical confusion. Another tendency within social work todayis the development of an evidence-based practice. This kind of social engineering,together with the theoretical confusion, might lead to the reproduction andstrengthening of dominant discourses and perspectives. Pointing out the need forcritical theory to transgress and resist hegemonic practices, the article aims topresent ideas on how to theoretically position social work practice within aframework of critical theory. The question is how to combine an ambition to developsuitable methods and to anchor social work in a sound social-scientific context withcritical theories concerning, for instance, gender, ethnicity, and class. It is suggestedthat a movement towards a more deconstructive and reflexive mode of thinking andpracticing social work, ‘doing social work’, would enable the field to become moreethical and reflexive.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialt arbete (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Work (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Critical theory

doing gender

evidence

reflexivity

Social Work

Socialt arbete

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)