The Appealability of the Social Work Profession in the United States: Possible Explanations

Abstract

In many parts of the world, the social work profession has continued to become a magnet for students from various backgrounds. This field has attracted local and international students with prior expertise in other disciplines, including but not limited to, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, education, and law. This chapter, among other things, presents an overview of the social work profession in the United States, highlights the uniqueness of this discipline, and explains the rise in enrollment in the twenty-first century. It is hypothesized that the appealability of social work is associated with (a) a quest for social justice, (b) a pragmatic path toward direct practice, (c) a commitment for social services delivery, and (d) a passion for empowerment. Understanding the rationale behind the appealability of the profession is crucial for social work educators to meet the needs of their student body in a world deeply ravaged by contemporary social problems.

The predictive efficacy of racial identity attitudes, historically Black college/university attendance, and sources of motivation in Black therapists’ career choices.

“…This focus may appeal to people who have experienced family problems as they have a personal understanding of how family dynamics and external stressors influence well-being. Similarly, social work training uniquely highlights the focus on environmental and systemic factors on psychological health (Joseph & Shon, 2020). Given this focus on systems, students who experience family problems related to structural inequities (e.g., unemployment) or interpersonal difficulties (e.g., mental health influencing family dynamics) may be more drawn to the social work profession.…”

“…Notably, examination of mean levels shows the altruistic motivation to be high for both clinical psychologists ( M = 4.25) and social workers ( M = 4.68) overall. While altruism may be highly motivating for therapists of all training backgrounds, it may be particularly salient to those pursuing social work due to the values inherent in that field (see Joseph & Shon, 2020).…”

“…However, the NASW explicitly identifies these necessary changes as occurring at a policy level within the democratic political structure. Social work focuses on both the person and their environment, leads in understanding complex social problems, and is grounded in a commitment to working with the underserved while advocating for social justice (Joseph & Shon, 2020). Further, social work training emphasizes improving the social conditions for all, rather than solely for individual clients (Csikai & Rozensky, 1997).…”