Foucauldian Fallacies: An Essay Review of Leslie Margolin's Under the Cover of Kindness

Article Abstract:

Leslie Margolin's 'Under the Cover of Kindness: The Invention of Social Work,' is simultaneously a brilliantly written and intellectually empty Foucaultean analysis of the importance of social work. Margolin was able to apply the previously unexplored relevance of Michel Foucault's ideas to social work, yet the book incorrectly assumed individuals whose problems are based in social-level processes cannot be helped by individual case workers. Margolin also believed helping a person with a problem implies that person is responsible for the problem, so concluded casework undermined social reform.

Influence, Criticism and interpretation, Literature, Foucault, Michel, Under the Cover of Kindness: The Invention of Social Work (Book), Margolin, Leslie

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Ecological perspective: response to Professor Jerry Wakefield

Article Abstract:

Jerome Wakefield's articles 'Does Social Work Need the Eco-Systems Perspective?' published in 'Social Service Review,' vol. 70, nos. 1-2, June 1996 brought out salient points on the discipline's applied approaches. However, his oversimplified view of the perspective has positioned it in a falsely dichotomous relation with the domain-specific theories that he supports. The ecological perspective does not exclude frameworks structured within the domain-specific theories, but takes other concepts, models and approaches in dealing with social service clients.

Environmental aspects, Wakefield, Jerome

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Does social work need the ecological perspective? Reply to Alex Gitterman

Article Abstract:

Alex Gitterman's response to the articles critiquing the need for and efficacy of ecological perspective in addressing social work cases questions their fairness and balance. Other points he raised includes the dichotomy between the generic ecological perspective and the domain specific theories, a dichotomy which he claims to be false. However, deeper analyses of both sides of the argument would reveal otherwise.

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