Social Work Philosophy

One of the things I had to do this summer during one of my classes was to summarise my personal social work and social welfare philosophy. Basically, I was asked to briefly explain my personal perspective and philosophy about social work and social welfare; how I think about this work and what drives me to provide services the way that I do.

Here is what I wrote:

As both a midwife and social worker, I value and hold space for informed choices and consent. I see these aspects of my work as the foundation that supports the bodily and cognitive autonomy, dignity, and self-determination of my clients. I view myself as a social advocate, not a social controller, as my clients know themselves and their needs better than I do.

Food, housing, clothing, education, and healthcare are essential to the welfare of everyone. To be lacking in these essentials is not a personal or moral failure, but rather a side effect of Capitalism and its myth of scarcity. Social welfare should be expectant; as to exist is to be worthy of social welfare. To this end, I do not cosign systems of social welfare which require participants to perform their poverty or worthiness in order to rank high enough for mere table scraps.

I am continually working towards justice, autonomy, and equity for all.

“Love work, hate domination, and do not make yourself known to the government.” — Pirkei Avot 1:10