Running Head: ANALYSIS PAPER #2

Analysis Paper #2
Esther Mason
SW 3110
1 October, 2012

Analysis Paper #2

Identifying the practice of institutional discrimination in the area of social work seems to
be a mighty big order to fill. On the other hand if one looks at social work historically it does not
seem to be so. Truly some of the earliest forms of social work were steeped in discrimination.
Long before government involvement social work was based on charity and generally
administered according to a communitys religious affiliation. In addition to the previously
mentioned guidelines, due to patriarchal standards the decision as to who did and did not receive
help was left mostly to male authority figures. Generally this was an individual in authority such
as a tax collector or church leader. The standard of the deserving and undeserving poor was
established in early European history. This began a pattern for some charity work that can be
seen today. Unfortunately this standard social work crossed over to the Americas with the early
European settlers.
It was not until the civil war and a decimated nation that charity work turned to social
work. This is when government funding began and laws were being passed to help the destitute
survivors. Even in these times decisions such as who received assistance and who did not were
made by men in positions of power. During this era there were emerging philosophies about
social welfare; according to Day (2013) such ideas as social Darwinism which in short states that
the poor and needy were unfit to survive but nevertheless were kept alive by humanitarian
charity. Of course this contributed to class racism. Weather politicians or religious leaders the
decisions policies and laws were brought about by men. Which somewhat mirrors current day
agency boards. In turn women were left the duty of administering such services. This is one
indication of gender discrimination that occurs in a certain area of social work. Much like todays
social service agencies the majority of client services are performed by women. Weather in a

Analysis Paper #2

church organization, hospital or even a government organization the majority of client contact is
been done by women. It seems that hierarchy of agencies mimics the old standards of the male
authority model. Where more men are employed in positions of authority and administration, as
opposed to their female counterpart being employed in clerical and support positions.
This is just an overview of some agencies I am sure since the first and second womens
rights movements a good number of agencies recognize that women are just as capable as men to
lead. Unfortunately there may be individuals within an agency itself who feel it is acceptable to
administer to their clients according to their own personal values. I have seen such individuals
respond judgmentally with clients saying such things as well you chose to have a child or I
cant stand talking to that woman, she never shuts up (this was said to one client about another
client). I was really taken aback by the first phrase, it was spoken to a young mother whose
husband had abandoned her along with their infant daughter and she was seeking assistance to
continue her education. I simply couldnt help but wonder if the young mother had been of a
different ethnic background would the social worker had been so willing to share her opinion.
In conclusion I know that with the knowledge I will receive throughout my education,
discrimination will not have any aspect in my ability to perform social work it lessens me as an
individual. In addition any act of discrimination weather intuitional or personal has no place in
the field of social work.

Analysis Paper #2

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References

Day, P., Schiele, J., (2013). An American Welfare State Begins. A New History of Social Welfare,
209