The Rise of the Social Work Profession
1. The Rise of the Social Work Profession
During the Civil War, American women became active in public life. Explain the role of women during this era. How was women’s involvement during this time a precursor to the development of the social work profession? Describe the factors that led to the development of the social work profession. Include in your analysis how the two historical traditions of the settlement house movement and the charity organizations influenced the structure of the social work profession.How did the fledgling profession reflect the values of the times? Have these values changed over the years? How so? (Completed See attached)
Respond to one peer. Share what you learned from your peer’s post.
Peer – Some historians attribute the development of the modern U.S. welfare state to the maternalist reform movement. Influenced by their traditional roles and mothers and wives and the desire for gender equality, the maternalist movement united women to politically influence a variety of reforms. These included the creation of the Children’s Bureau, child and women labor legislation, and improving maternal and child health.
As mothers became responsible for financially supporting their family and raise their children during this time period, women advocated for policies to reconcile the conflicting roles placed on them. This led to the creation of workmen’s compensation and mother’s pension, the first step in welfare provided by the government. Leaders of the Charity Organization and Settlement House movements came together on behalf of social reform at the height of the reform movement. The changing views of the family initiated the involvement of organized charity in reform.
The development of the social work profession began with the development of voluntary charitable associations after the Civil War. It expanded with the growth of reform organizations and the maternalist movement. Today, we still see the social work profession focusing on meeting the needs of the population such as housing, food, clothing, and utilities. We also see social work advocating for the rights of different groups of people as well such as minorities, immigrants, and the LGBTQ community.
Axinn, M.J.S. J. (2017). Social Welfare. [Capella]. Retrieved
