Men and Social Work: Theories and Practices

The relationships between men and social work are contentious because men are under represented as social workers and over represented in social work management. Also, most social work service users are women and children, and social workers often deal with the direct and indirect consequences of men's violence. The question of men and the social work profession emerged in the literature in the mid-1980s but nowhere has the broad spectrum of critical issues been addressed in an integrated way. This book provides the first overview of the theoretical and practice issues raised when we put 'men' and 'social work' together. It introduces the key contributors to the debate so far and others who are entering the debate from their particular area of practice or academic interest. Theories of identity and gender are brought to bear on the development of the social work profession in Britain. Chapters include analyses of men's positions within the specific practice areas of child care, community care, mental health services, probation and social work education. Men and Social Work is written for social work students, workers and academics. The book raises questions about the professional and gender identities of men social workers and offers some recommendations for practice. A new agenda for debate within the profession and the academy emerges from the critical discussions that take place in this book.