Knowing where you stand: Neoliberal and other foundations for social work

Woodcock, Ray

doi:10.1080/17486831.2011.595077

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The true task here is to define the contemporary meaning of social work in ways that are relevant to both social workers and non-social-work professionals (Bisman, 2004). For a social worker with two watches, it is very likely the best of times and the worst of times to stand out from the crowd and answer Woodcock's (2012) question: 'Where do you stand? '…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This quote also relates to the situation of contemporary social work practitioners, that is, being swung by the pendulum between ideologies. Woodcock (2012) asks US social workers a question: ‘Where do you stand?’ Along the sociopolitical spectrum, he identifies neoliberalism, neoconservatism, and communitarianism as three significant contemporary ideological variations. Acknowledging the reminder from Chu et al (2009) that social work is inevitably political, he urges for action to help social workers to interpret dialogs, understand clients’ views, and identify potentially divergent threads in their own political orientations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A social worker with two watches: Synchronizing the left and right ideologies

Cheung

2016

International Social Work

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Accompanying the diminishing voice of the client in cross-subsidized social work, the author makes an attempt to reveal the ambivalence and ambiguity of state-sponsored social work in Hong Kong. In light of the increase in quasi-welfare markets that promote an environment of competitive bidding on government subventions, this article addresses the contradictions between commercial and social work values after the commodification of welfare. Because frontline practitioners are becoming more reluctant to be involved in 'typical' social work interventions, reconsidering and recalculating costs are recommended under the pendulum of left and right ideologies in a postcolonial, neoliberal metropolis.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A social worker with two watches: Synchronizing the left and right ideologies

Cheung

2016

International Social Work

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“…In contrast to the do‐no‐harm mandate, those working in the health and human services sector may ironically be contributing to the erosion of social welfare simply by acquiescing to the mechanics of a now institutionalized neoliberal algebra. And, as Woodcock (, p. 7) warns those in the social work profession, “When a profession becomes equated with an ideology, it runs the risk of adopting ideological prejudices and illogics.”…”

Section: Implications Of Neoliberal Policy For the Health And Human Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutionalizing Neoliberalism: 21st-Century Capitalism, Market Sprawl, and Social Policy in the United States

Caplan¹,

Ricciardelli²

2016

Poverty &Amp; Public Policy

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Neoliberalism is a foundational expression of 21st‐century capitalism. This article advances critiques of neoliberal influences on social welfare in the United States by detailing how core neoliberal principles such as individualism, freedom of choice, rationality, self‐interest, utilization of market mechanisms, and non‐intervention of the state have become institutionalized in contemporary social services as (i) welfare capitalism, (ii) privatization, (iii) contract service delivery, (iv) individual savings strategies, (v) voucher systems, (vi) consumer‐directed spending, and (vii) labor market activation. The authors provide an overview of capitalism and classic economic liberalism as incubators of neoliberalism and describe each mechanism and propose a framework to visualize their interrelated structure. As indicators of market sprawl, these mechanisms express and perpetuate deep market involvement in the health and human service sector. It is argued that the neoliberal institutionalization of social services is antithetical to the goals of a modern welfare system, and instead creates punitive and restrictive programs and policies. Recommended actions include critique and empirical examination of how market mechanisms influence the social services sector, specifically regarding the intermediary role of government‐funded private sector service provision.

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“…Similarly, targeted initiatives and efforts within the political sphere have acted to impair the social work profession in their efforts to uphold moral and ethical standards in practice (Chu, Tsui, & Yan, 2009;Jones, 2006). As a consequence, Welbourne (2011) has identified the need to recognize the role of public policy (another aspect of the socio-political context of direct social work practice) in shaping the direction and focus of practice (see also Woodcock, 2012).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subjective well-being, social work, and the environment: The impact of the socio-political context of practice on social worker happiness

Shier

Graham

2013

Journal of Social Work

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The environmental context of direct social work practice has been found to impact social worker subjective well-being. Most research focus on the geographic and cultural characteristics of that practice environment. To expand this knowledge domain a qualitative inquiry has been undertaken to understand what aspects of the socio-political environment impacted social worker well-being.Findings: This qualitative study, with a sample of social workers (n ¼ 19), found three themes related to the socio-political environment that can contribute to practitioner well-being. Respondents identified that their subjective well-being is impacted by: (1) perceptions of practitioners by community members, (2) conflict with social work program mandates, and (3) changes with the social welfare system.Applications: Possible methods of addressing these issues to improve workplace functioning for social workers are discussed along with areas of future research.

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Knowing where you stand: Neoliberal and other foundations for social work

Cited by 9 publications

References 49 publications

A social worker with two watches: Synchronizing the left and right ideologies

A social worker with two watches: Synchronizing the left and right ideologies

Institutionalizing Neoliberalism: 21st-Century Capitalism, Market Sprawl, and Social Policy in the United States

Subjective well-being, social work, and the environment: The impact of the socio-political context of practice on social worker happiness

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