Illogical Argument
The profession of social work has lost its focus and will soon be indiscernible from other helping vocations such as psychologists. Specht & Courtney (1995) contend just this and note it is often hard to delineate the differences between a social worker and a “faith healer” these days (p. 2). The profession as a whole needs to remember its history and work towards realigning its values to ensure compliance with the genesis of social work ethos. Some feel the blame lies on the training programs and professional organizations tasked with supporting and monitoring the profession. Thus, this researcher posits a necessary step to remedy this troubling trend is to mandate all social work educational program teachings focus …show more content…
However, some such as Specht & Courtney (1995) suggest the evolution of social work is a negative occurrence which will render social workers indiscernible from other helping vocations such as psychologists. Specht & Courtney (1995) contend it is often hard to delineate the differences between a social worker and a “faith healer” these days (p. 2). The roles social workers now fill are indeed different than they were in the past. In fact, social workers now occupy many different positions and according to a May 2013 the Bureau of Labor and Statistics there are over 591,000 social workers in the United States employed in diverse settings. (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social service/socialworkers.htm) Social workers now have employment choices beyond the traditional community setting and some are choosing to enter private practice. Specht & Courtney (1995) assert that close to 40% of social workers are in private practice and can now be found working with the middle class (p. 4). This is a shift Specht & Courtney (1995) contend is not in line with the history of this community based, social justice orientated helping
The profession of social work has lost its focus and will soon be indiscernible from other helping vocations such as psychologists. Specht & Courtney (1995) contend just this and note it is often hard to delineate the differences between a social worker and a “faith healer” these days (p. 2). The profession as a whole needs to remember its history and work towards realigning its values to ensure compliance with the genesis of social work ethos. Some feel the blame lies on the training programs and professional organizations tasked with supporting and monitoring the profession. Thus, this researcher posits a necessary step to remedy this troubling trend is to mandate all social work educational program teachings focus …show more content…
However, some such as Specht & Courtney (1995) suggest the evolution of social work is a negative occurrence which will render social workers indiscernible from other helping vocations such as psychologists. Specht & Courtney (1995) contend it is often hard to delineate the differences between a social worker and a “faith healer” these days (p. 2). The roles social workers now fill are indeed different than they were in the past. In fact, social workers now occupy many different positions and according to a May 2013 the Bureau of Labor and Statistics there are over 591,000 social workers in the United States employed in diverse settings. (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social service/socialworkers.htm) Social workers now have employment choices beyond the traditional community setting and some are choosing to enter private practice. Specht & Courtney (1995) assert that close to 40% of social workers are in private practice and can now be found working with the middle class (p. 4). This is a shift Specht & Courtney (1995) contend is not in line with the history of this community based, social justice orientated helping