The Time Is Right for the Social Work Perspective, Values, and Leadership

by Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW 

      Happy Social Work Month!                              

     I’ve been reflecting on the theme of this year’s Social Work Month, “The Time is Right for Social Work”—and I’ve got some thoughts to share. But first, some questions:

  • What about this time makes it right for social work?
  • What about social work makes us right for this moment?

What about this time makes it right for social work? 

     I don’t think anyone will argue with me that this time is a challenging one. We are a divided country, with competing world views and priorities. Some have even suggested that we are in a fight for the soul of our country. It sure feels that way. A lot of folks have lost trust in the institutions that have been the “glue” holding this country together: our federal government, electoral processes, scientific establishment, and our system of higher education.  Now, to be fair, I think it essential that we re-examine these on a regular basis.

     To what extent have our government, electoral processes, scientific establishment, and/or institutions of higher education promulgated white supremacy? Colonization? Imperialism? Are these institutions achieving what they were created to achieve? Are there equitable outcomes for all segments of society? These are critically important questions to ask ourselves periodically so that we can commit to changes that will allow us to make good on the promise of this country—which is why I think this time is right for social work. 

     When we are being our best professional selves, we are not afraid to ask hard questions. We don’t look for easy or simple solutions to complex problems. We avoid binary thinking. We consider how changes in one system affect other parts of the system. We lead with the values of equity and justice in how we think and what we do. This time requires all these things, which makes it right, even critical, for social work to be at the table and to lead.

What about social work makes us right for this moment?

     The history of our profession is full of both amazing achievements and ill-considered involvement in systems that have hurt people. I love that social work was born as a response to the challenges that arose with industrialization and urbanization. I’m proud to be a member of the profession that emerged as a voice for the poor and disenfranchised, and that social workers led movements to end child labor, to advance maternal and child health, to protect workers from abusive work conditions, and facilitated suffrage for women and African Americans.

     But the profession has also played a role in some events that brought pain and run counter to our values. One example of this comes to mind quickly: the participation of social workers in the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. There are other examples, both historical and recent, of situations in which social workers have been co-opted, our skills appropriated, and the outcome has been harmful—perhaps unintentionally, but harmful, nonetheless.

     We must be willing to be honest with ourselves so that we may act with integrity and humility. Other professions, institutions, and individuals need to be doing the same thing, but if we commit to doing this as a profession, social workers can lead by example.

     We are capable of this; let’s commit to doing it. And show others that social work is right for this moment.

     Yes, “The Time Is Right for Social Work.” For the social work perspective. For social work values. For social work leadership. 

Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE is the national association of schools and programs of social work, representing nearly 900 accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.  CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the U.S.. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development so that social workers play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice.