Abraham Flexner’s article “Is Social Work a Profession” opens the author’s view on the essence of social work and its compatibility with the concepts of profession and professionalism. While his vision can be misinterpreted, it is worth noting that the article significantly impacts social work development. The publication provides criteria for professional work and assessment of social work within the framework of these criteria. In addition, the comparative characteristics of professions, the relationship between mental and physical labor, and the place of workers in social professions in this system are given. The article evaluates social work from the point of view of the ability to make decisions, background knowledge and experience, the presence of a professional goal, and the organized discipline of performing tasks.
Beginning his research on the place of social work in the system of the concept of the profession, Abraham Flexner notes that his knowledge in this field is limited, and the article only illustrates his subjective vision. Therefore, he does not rule out that the statements and conclusions given in the article may need to be more credible and unconvincing for some readers. Regarding the background information and sources on which the author relies, the text is based on personal experience and interviews conducted as part of the research. In addition, in interpreting the attitude to social work, Flexner relies on the information published in The Bulletin of the New York School of Philanthropy (Flexner, 2001). Thus, the article can be considered a purely informative source of information, while the statements’ veracity is a subjective assessment of the author.
Abraham Flexner explains the meaning of the profession for a better further understanding of the essence of the publication. He gives examples of the professionalism of specific areas, describes their characteristics, and evaluates their qualities. Thus, the author identifies six professional criteria: intellectual activity, practical approach, mental performance technique, self-organization, and altruistic motivation. He evaluates social work from the point of view of each of these criteria and reaches the appropriate conclusion. According to Flexner, the above signs are not constant and unambiguous. Instead, the similarities and differences between different types of work are flexible and can be interpreted in different ways. The author believes it is quite difficult to limit the concept of social work to a clear definition of the profession.
Speaking about the data obtained by the author, he notes that social work is not limited to the concept of employment. Instead, the concept of social work is much broader, as it covers many aspects of life and interacts with other professions. Social activism is an altruistic phenomenon and does not fit the narrow definition of a profession. In contrast, according to the author, social work only meets some of the characteristics of the profession. Considering this aspect in more detail, social work based on academic training and supported by scientific experience meets the criteria of the profession. On the other hand, the professional responsibility of workers in the social sphere is different from that in other spheres. Thus, it is worth considering social work not as insufficiently professional employment but as separate and unique.
One of the aspects of the difference between professions, Flexner sees the material profitability of the profession. Undoubtedly, a decent wage is one of the main drivers of choosing a profession and further improvement for both men and women. It would be hypocritical to claim that a person is ready to work on a volunteer basis because his profession is lovely and beneficial. The need for monetary reward is quite natural and understandable since we all need money to live and function, and accordingly, we tend to want more constantly. On the other hand, altruistic grounds and awareness of one’s good purpose bring satisfaction to the one who provides such services. In the context of social work, this subtopic is designed to clarify that most professions are paid higher along with increasing employee professional development. Whereas in the case of social work, good intentions are the main driver.
Summarizing the author’s vision, it is worth noting that Abraham Flexner is fully aware of the subjectivity of his interpretation. He understands that his statements can lead to certain disputes and is quite ready for counterargued opinions of other people. Flexner reiterates that his article is not intended to discredit social workers or diminish their importance in society. On the contrary, the contribution of social work is significant, and a comfortable existence or even health and life can depend on the people who work in this field. Instead, the author only tries to convey the differences between social work and the professional concept established in social activity. The article provides examples and clear arguments supporting the author’s opinion. Thus, regardless of whether the reader agrees with what he has read, it is worth noting that the article is easy to read, clearly formulated, and easily argued.
After reading the article, some information was new to me. For example, I learned about the six criteria of the profession concept and how they correlate with the essence of social work. Knowing this information, evaluating other professions, and drawing certain conclusions may be interesting. Interestingly, Flexner says social work is not technically a profession but is no less critical. I realized that the concept of social work could be more specific than I thought before reading the article. The author’s opinion has the right to exist and is published, whereas the article is quite interesting, albeit controversial.
Reference
Flexner, A. (2001). Is social work a profession? Research on Social Work Practice, 11(2), 152-165. Web.