Recalibrating micro and macro social work: student perceptions of social action

The struggle to find theory

“…Although not a new debate, scholars have continued to call upon social workers to ‘eradicate the either-or perspective that has come to define social work practice’ (Chan and Ng, 2004; Knight and Gitterman, 2018: 12). Scholars have advocated that the profession eliminate this micro-macro divide within educational programs in teaching a new generation of social workers (Austin et al, 2016; Krings et al, 2020; Montaño, 2012).…”

“…I chose a profession with explicit values not only in social justice and social change but also of doing this work with critical thinking across micro, mezzo, and macro systems. I find hope in the profession because of its commitment to engage across systems through multiple roles, and I see it as part of the strengths-based approach of what makes social work unique (Austin et al, 2016; Krings et al, 2020).…”

Honoring Our Ancestors

“…So the story goes, white, middle class women like Jane Addams, Mary Richmond, and Ellen Gates Starr built settlement houses and charity organizations in Northeastern states and went for friendly visits among neighbors to address issues of poverty and to advocate for immigrant rights (Abramovitz, 1998;Abrams & Curran, 2004;Edmonds-Cady & Wingfield, 2017;Franklin, 1986;Gregory, 2020;Kendall, 1989). The story of social work includes a schism between acolytes of Jane Addams (macro practitioners in the present day) or Mary Richmond (micro practitioners today) that is still healing (Krings et al, 2020). The story even has a villain in the form of Abraham Flexner, who maligned fledgling social workers by saying they weren't "real" professionals and forever altering the course of social work's disciplinary destiny as social justice advocates sought validity through professionalization (Gelman & González, 2016).…”