The “Undeserving” Narrative in Child and Family Social Work and How It Is Perpetuated by “Progressive Neoliberalism”: Ideas for Social Work Education

Abstract

“Progressive neoliberalism” is the current hegemonic approach to understanding social justice in Western liberal democracies. “Progressive neoliberalism” also resurrects the “deserving” vs. “undeserving” narrative that can lead to punitive and pathologising approaches to poor and unemployed people—the demographic comprising the majority of child and family social work service users. Indeed, research suggests that social workers’ attitudes towards families in poverty are strikingly congruent with “progressive neoliberalism.” This article suggests that generational changes and the particular form of group-based identity, postmodern social justice ideology often taught in social work education have unwittingly conspired to create this concerning picture. This article suggests that the resurrection of radical social work, with attention to economic inequality, is one way to counteract this trend.

Untitled

“…As shown before questions of deservingness and conditionality also play a relevant role regarding authoritarian attitudes. Fenton's (2021) findings demonstrate that especially younger "millennial" students were more "right-wing authoritarian" than older colleagues and showed more punitive and authoritarian attitudes regarding groups they considered as "undeserving", like unemployed people and persons who had committed a criminal offence. As authoritarianism poses a threat to social work -since it contradicts some of the core social work values of diversity, inclusion and equality -we will take a closer look at the authoritarian attitudes of social work students.…”

“…Therefore, social workers should challenge oppressive or unfair policies and practices and, when need arises, take a critical stand against employers or other professionals, policy makers and politicians and sometimes even the general public. In their studies, Fenton (2020Fenton ( , 2021 and Grasso et al (2017) illustrate that the neoliberal narrative is often linked to authoritarian attitudes. Fenton (2020) points out that in her study students tend to show a lack of critical thinking and reflection skills, a tendency to uncritically follow regulations or instructions and a lack of assertiveness and therefore she expresses fear of an emerging new "passive authoritarian, individualistic form of social work […] as generational changes gain purchase within the profession" (p. 1254).…”

The Scylla State. A gendered understanding of the experiences of marginalised women in the United Kingdom

“…Regardless of their mutual victimhood, the risk aversion of social services meant only the child was recognised, and so conversely mothers felt further disadvantaged by systemic mechanisms designed to protect the vulnerable and marginalised. Fenton (2021) attests to the pernicious impact of this, citing Fraser's model of injustice which describes how contemporary social work's immersion in progressive neoliberalism results in maldistribution (exacerbating inequality and deprivation) and misrecognition (exacerbating injustice). Several women experienced this, which echoed their life histories of neglect, and the result was greater entrenchment in abusive relationships, substance misuse and other harms.…”

Community Service Initiatives: Promoting Education about Justice for Parents and Children

“…Through education, community service programs improve families' health, sense of empowerment, and ability to advocate for their children. In addition, these efforts provide equal opportunities for all to flourish by reducing the gap between disadvantaged groups and their access to legal remedy (Fenton, 2021).…”

“…Community outreach initiatives include a wide variety of strategies and methods to educate parents and children about legal issues (Fenton, 2021). Workshops, training programs, seminars, and panel discussions are all examples of interactive venues for learning and participation (Yu et al, 2022).…”