Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Ending Social Work's Grudge Match: Problems Versus Strengths, J. Curtis Mcmillen, Lisa A. Morris Phd, Michael Sherraden
Ending Social Work's Grudge Match: Problems Versus Strengths, J. Curtis Mcmillen, Lisa A. Morris Phd, Michael Sherraden
Faculty Publications
Some in social work have called for a paradigm shift away from a focus on problems to a focus on strengths, empowerment, and capacity building. This call sets up an unnatural dichotomy, asking social workers to identify with one side or another. In this article, we review social work history to argue that the best social work practice has always maintained a dual focus on both problems and capacity building. Throughout our history, those who championed a problem-oriented practice also emphasized strengths and growing client capacity, and today's strength-based, capacity-oriented practitioners typically advocate for the solving of consumer's presenting problems.