A Brief History of Social Work (for Social Work Month 2015)

Michael Bettencourt

17 Dec 201512:40

Summary

TLDRThis script chronicles the influential pioneers of social work, highlighting their advocacy for social justice and transformative impact on society. From Jane Addams' establishment of Hull House to combat poverty, to Mary Richmond's foundational work in social casework, and the tireless efforts of figures like Florence Kelly and Robert Hunter in labor and child welfare legislation, the narrative weaves a rich tapestry of resilience and advocacy. It underscores the profession's evolution and its pivotal role in shaping cultural attitudes towards poverty, social mobility, and welfare, inspiring continued commitment to social justice.

Takeaways

📚 The social work profession has a rich history of advocacy and challenging systems that hinder social mobility.
🏆 Jane Addams was a pioneer in social work, establishing Hull House and advocating for social justice, which earned her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
🌟 Settlement houses, like Hull House, focused on addressing the root causes of poverty and provided services to immigrants and marginalized groups.
📈 Mary Richmond's research laid the foundation for social casework, emphasizing a person-centered approach to care.
🎓 World War I provided opportunities for social workers to apply their skills in new settings, such as the Red Cross's Home Service.
👶 Florence Kelly's work led to the creation of the first factory law prohibiting child labor and the establishment of the National Child Labor Committee.
📸 Lewis W. Hine's photographs of child labor helped to galvanize states into passing laws banning the practice.
🚨 Eda Wheeler's case against child abuse in 1874 led to the creation of the first child protection agency, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
🌱 The Great Depression highlighted the role of social workers in public service and shifted cultural attitudes towards welfare as a federal responsibility.
🌈 Social workers played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for education, employment opportunities, and voting rights.
🏥 The integration of social work in healthcare settings began in the early 20th century, emphasizing the importance of considering patients' social factors in treatment.

Q & A

What is the significance of Jane Addams in the social work profession?
-Jane Addams is a leading social reformer and a lifelong champion of social justice who founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889, which was part of the settlement house movement aimed at providing marginalized people with access to healthcare, education, and political power.
What was the purpose of the settlement house movement initiated by Jane Addams?
-The settlement house movement, including Hull House founded by Jane Addams, was dedicated to addressing social problems such as infant mortality, factory working conditions, housing, and sanitation, and to giving immigrants and other marginalized people in cities access to essential services and political power.
Who was Mary Richmond and what was her contribution to social work?
-Mary Richmond was a researcher who focused on poverty and social ills. Her book 'The Social Diagnosis' formed the basis of social casework, which is the precursor to today's person-centered care approach in social work.
How did World War I provide opportunities for social case workers?
-World War I provided unique opportunities for social case workers through their involvement in war-related activities such as the Red Cross's Home Service, where they applied their skills to address problems faced by servicemen and their families.
What was Florence Kelly's role in labor laws and child labor?
-Florence Kelly worked at the Henry Street Settlement and conducted surveys on working conditions in local factories. Her research led to the passage of the first factory law in Illinois prohibiting child labor under 14. In New York, she introduced the white label designation for employers following labor laws and safety standards and led campaigns that resulted in the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
Who was Robert Hunter and how did he contribute to the fight against child labor?
-Robert Hunter was a social reformer who commissioned Lewis W. Hine to photograph child labor in America from 1908 to 1912. Hine's images, which depicted the harsh realities of child labor, helped galvanize many states into passing laws banning child labor.
What was the first case against child abuse in the United States and who brought it?
-The first case against child abuse in the United States was brought by Etta Wheeler in 1874, involving a child named Mary Ellen Wilson. Wheeler's efforts, with the help of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, led to the creation of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
How did the Great Depression impact the social work profession?
-The Great Depression gave the social work profession a national stage, with the American Association of Social Workers testifying before the Senate on the crisis. Many social workers moved into public service, and the cultural attitude towards welfare shifted, making it a widely recognized responsibility of the federal government.
What role did social workers play in the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s to the 70s?
-Social workers played significant roles in the Civil Rights Movement, initiating programs in education and community-based planning, encouraging major corporations to hire more African Americans, and fighting for school desegregation, voting rights, employment opportunities, and public accommodations.
Who was Irena Sendler and what was her impact?
-Irena Sendler was a Catholic Polish social worker who saved the lives of about 2,500 Jewish children in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. She smuggled out children under the pretext of inspecting sanitary conditions and kept records of all the children to facilitate post-war reunions with relatives.
How did Ida Cannon, Dr. Richard Kit, and Garnett Isabelle Pelton contribute to medical social work?
-Ida Cannon, Dr. Richard Kit, and Garnett Isabelle Pelton helped establish the first social work department at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1906. They created collaborative systems of practice that combined medical and psychological information with data about patients' living conditions, emphasizing the importance of considering a patient's social factors in their health.
Who was Sheila Ryan and what was her contribution to social work?
-Sheila Ryan was a social worker who committed her life to social justice, volunteering for the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee and participating in Freedom Summers. She earned master's degrees in social work and public health and became the director of a special needs clinic supporting children and families affected by HIV/AIDS, co-authoring several chapters in a psychology handbook.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Pioneers of Social Work and Advocacy

This paragraph introduces the vital role of social work in societal development, highlighting its history of providing support to the vulnerable and challenging systems that hinder social mobility. It focuses on Jane Addams, a social reformer and founder of Hull House, which was part of the settlement house movement aimed at improving the lives of immigrants and marginalized groups by addressing social issues such as health care, education, and political power. The narrative also touches on the contributions of Mary Richmond, whose research laid the groundwork for social casework, and Florence Kelly, who fought for labor laws and consumer safety. The paragraph concludes with the story of Robert Hunter and his efforts to expose child labor through photography, leading to legislative changes.

05:02

🛡 Advocacy and Social Reform Movements

This section delves into the impact of social work during the Great Depression, emphasizing its national recognition and the transition of social workers into public service roles. It mentions key figures like Francis Perkins and the shift in cultural attitudes towards welfare and poverty. The paragraph also explores the involvement of social workers in the Civil Rights Movement, with individuals like Whitney Moore Young Jr. and Dorothy Height playing significant roles. The narrative extends to international social work, exemplified by Irena Sendler's efforts to save Jewish children during the Holocaust. Additionally, it discusses the establishment of the first social work department in a hospital and the development of collaborative systems of practice, as well as the creation of the New York School of Applied Philanthropy, which later became Columbia School of Social Work.

10:04

🌈 Resilience and the Legacy of Social Work

The final paragraph tells the story of Sheila Ryan, a dedicated social worker and advocate for social justice, who began her journey with the student non-violent coordinating committee and was involved in significant civil rights events. It recounts her arrest at the first-ever 'Sit-in at the White House' and her work in prison reform, peace in the Middle East, and radio. The paragraph highlights her academic achievements and her role in supporting children and families affected by HIV/AIDS as the director of a special needs clinic. It concludes with reflections on her impact, the resilience of the patients she served, and an invitation for the audience to continue the legacy of social work by adding their own stories to the profession's history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Social Work

Social Work is a profession focused on supporting individuals and communities to enhance their well-being. It involves advocacy, policy development, and direct services to address social issues. In the video, social work is the central theme, highlighting its history and impact on societal change, as seen through the work of pioneers like Jane Addams and the evolution of social policy.

💡Social Justice

Social Justice refers to the fair and just relations between individuals within a society. It is about ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all. The video emphasizes the lifelong commitment of figures like Jane Addams to social justice, advocating for marginalized groups and challenging systems that hinder social mobility.

💡Settlement House Movement

The Settlement House Movement was a social reform effort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where individuals lived in urban areas to provide support and services to the poor. The movement, as mentioned in the script, was exemplified by Jane Addams' founding of Hull House, which aimed to address social problems and provide resources to immigrants and marginalized communities.

💡Advocacy

Advocacy is the act of supporting a cause or policy, typically by arguing publicly on its behalf. The video script describes how social work pioneers wove advocacy into the fabric of the profession, fighting for social reforms and policy changes, such as child labor laws and women's suffrage.

💡Social Mobility

Social Mobility refers to the ability of individuals or families to move between different social classes. The script discusses how the social work profession has historically challenged systems that impede social mobility, working towards a more equitable society.

💡Person-Centered Care

Person-Centered Care is an approach to healthcare that focuses on the individual's needs, preferences, and values. Mary Richmond's work in social casework, as described in the script, laid the foundation for this approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding a person's context and strengths when providing care.

💡Infant Mortality

Infant Mortality is the death of infants before their first birthday, often used as an indicator of a community's health and well-being. The script mentions infant mortality as one of the social problems addressed by the settlement houses, highlighting the comprehensive nature of social work in improving public health.

💡Factory Law

A Factory Law is a legislative act governing conditions and practices in factories, often aimed at ensuring worker safety and fair labor practices. The script references Florence Kelly's research leading to the first factory law in Illinois, which prohibited child labor, illustrating the direct impact of social work on legislative change.

💡Child Labor

Child Labor refers to the employment of children in work that is inappropriate for their age. The video script discusses the efforts of social workers like Robert Hunter and Lewis W. Hine to expose and combat child labor through photography and advocacy, leading to laws that banned the practice.

💡Great Depression

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the 1930s. The script notes the role of social work during this period, with professionals moving into public service and influencing cultural attitudes towards poverty and government responsibility for welfare.

💡Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights Movement was a struggle for social justice and equal rights for African Americans in the United States during the mid-20th century. The video mentions social workers' involvement in this movement, advocating for racial equality and influencing policies and societal attitudes towards civil rights.

💡HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS refers to the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a health crisis that affected millions worldwide. The script highlights Sheila Ryan's work with HIV/AIDS-affected children and families, demonstrating the ongoing role of social work in addressing critical health issues and supporting vulnerable populations.

Highlights

The social work profession has a history of providing social safety nets and challenging systems that impede social mobility.

Jane Addams, a leading social reformer, founded Hull House in 1889 as part of the settlement house movement.

Settlement houses aimed to address social problems such as infant mortality, factory working conditions, and housing sanitation.

Jane Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, the first given to a woman.

Mary Richmond's research laid the foundation for social casework, emphasizing person-centered care.

World War I provided opportunities for social case workers to apply their skills in war-related activities.

Florence Kelly's work led to the first factory law in Illinois, prohibiting child labor.

Florence Kelly introduced the white label designation for employers following labor laws and safety standards.

Robert Hunter's work with Lewis Hine on child labor photography contributed to laws banning child labor.

Eda Wheeler's case against child abuse led to the creation of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

The Great Depression highlighted the role of social workers in public service and policy-making.

Social work influenced cultural attitudes, shifting the responsibility of welfare from private charities to the federal government.

Whitney Moore Young Jr. and Dorothy Height were key figures in the Civil Rights Movement.

Irena Sendler, a social worker, saved the lives of about 2500 Jewish children during the Holocaust.

Ida Canon, Dr. Richard Kitt, and Garnett Isabelle Pelton established the first social work department at a hospital.

Janet Thornton's work demonstrated the impact of social factors on medical care and disabilities.

Sheila Ryan's commitment to social justice included volunteering, activism, and contributions to the special needs clinic.

Sheila Ryan co-authored chapters in a psychology handbook and was remembered for her humanity and intellect.