Social work, politics and society : from radicalism to orthodoxy / Kenneth McLaughlin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McLaughlin, Kenneth G.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social service.

Social service--Political aspects.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiv, 177 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Bristol, UK : Policy, 2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This original and stimulating book examines contemporary issues in social work, particularly exploring the politicisation of the profession from the 1970s onwards. Detailing the wider social and political influences on the development of social work, the book argues that underlying much social theory and practice is a pessimistic and degraded view of humanity. The author discusses different areas of social work in relation to this diminished view of the human subject, exploring the rise of the concept of abuse, the focus on individual vulnerability and the fear of the other, as well as the threat to civil liberties and privacy that has influenced changes in mental health legislation and the introduction of the Social Care Register. The book highlights the need for a new approach to social work that has a more optimistic view of both individuals and society, and of their capacity to overcome problems. It is essential reading for students of sociology, politics and social work and for those involved in social policy and social care practice.

Contents:

Social work, politics and society; Contents; Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Understandings of and developments within social work; 2. Politicising social work; 3. 'Depoliticising' social work; 4. Agency, pathology and abuse; 5. The politics of risk and mental health; 6. The subject of stress; 7. From at risk to a risk: regulating social work; 8. Politics and social work; References; Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 19 Jan 2022).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-168) and index.

ISBN:

9786611975494

9781447314950

1447314956

9781447303572

1447303571

9781281975492

1281975494

9781847423559

1847423558

OCLC:

437106669