An Initial Inquiry into the Impact of Privatization on Social Work in the United States

Date

2014

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work

Abstract

Although there is considerable research about the impact of privatization upon other professions, at this time there is no recent research and little remote research on the matter of client and staff outcomes following privatization of social workers in social service agencies in the United States. This is troubling in light of the fact that, generally speaking, privatization has harsh effects upon the emotional and material well-being of marginalized and oppressed communities. Concerning social work, the privatization of state social work in the United Kingdom has had profoundly negative effects. This evidence suggests there is a fundamental incompatibility between social work, its mission and values, and the theory and practice of privatization. For this reason, the paper concludes there is a pressing need to address the dearth of scholarly material currently available concerning the possible effect of privatization upon social work in the United States and its relationship to issues such as professionalization.

Description

Keywords

Social Work, Privatization, United States, United Kingdom, Social Welfare, Scott Graybow, Perspectives on Social Work, Social work, Privatization, United States, United Kingdom, Social Welfare, Perspectives on Social Work

Citation