TODAY -

Misconceptions Of Social Work

Sumel Yumnam *

World Social Work Day 2009 Logo



It is presume by the general public that anyone who does any kind of services to the masses is a social worker. And any kind of help done for the poor and needy; any work which benefit a particular population is social work.

People assume that a politician bringing some welfare measures to the people at the time of election, a philanthropist helping the needy, a well educated person leading a group of people to support a population affected by some natural or man-made calamities, a rich man giving alms to beggars are all social workers.

But truly speaking, it is not social work because these services are not based on scientific knowledge and values of social work. Everybody who helps the needy and destitute need not be a social worker. Social worker uses methods and techniques to help people. In order to be a social worker, one need to undergo a professional course and earn a degree from a recognize university. It is a profession.

Definition of Social Work

The given definition by Friedlander(1955) clearly defines social work.

According to him, Social work is a professional service, based on scientific knowledge and skill in human relations, which assists individuals, alone or in groups, to obtain social and personal satisfaction and independence.

Analysis of the definition

Friedlander has given a very comprehensive definition of social work. Social work is a profession like other professions i.e. medicine, law, management, through which social worker, trained in dealing with human relations and having scientific outlook helps individuals for the purpose of obtaining satisfaction – personal as well as social.

Differences of Social Work with other disciplines

Social Work Social Welfare
It is a profession It is a general service
Uses scientific knowledge and skills in human behavior Can be carried out by any individual
To solve adjustmental problems. Helping the people to help themselves To solve socio – economic problems. It involves social services to individuals and families as well as efforts to strengthen or modify social institutions
Clients chose their own path for their problems Such type of freedom is not given


Social Services Social Work
Helping the helpless is social work Helping the helpless to help themselves is social work
Essentially people changing institution (development,remedial,supportive) It fulfills the objectives of social services


Social Work Social Reform
Basis of personal touch and personal relationship is the medium of practices Does not have personal touch
Professional skills to help client No need of any skill
Concerned with assisting the individuals in freeing himself from his maladjustments in social life Radical change in social system


Social Work Social Security
It consist of social security in its programme activities so that individual may lead a secured and happy life It can be understood as the security that society furnished through appropriate organizations against certain risks to which its members are exposed




* Sumel Yumnam is a frequent contributor to e-pao.net . The writer is a Social Change Agent with (MSW in Human Resource Management)
The writer can be contacted at sam(dot)yumnam(at)gmail(dot)com
This article was webcasted on December 27 2011 .


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