Theories of Social Work. A critical discussion (eBook)

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Social Work, grade: 1,0, University of Applied Sciences Esslingen, course: Einführung in Theorien Sozialer Arbeit, language: English, abstract: The aim of this paper is to critically discuss various theories of social work in the context of a case study from the field of family support.

Three approaches are used to analyse the case and then critically discussed. In this context, it seemed appropriate to choose a classical theory from the origins of social work. The approach of Alice Salomon, who can be regarded as a pioneer of the science of social work, serves this purpose. Complementing this, two important contemporary theories are also applied. The concept of "coping with life" by Lothar Böhnisch and the approach of "lifeworld orientation" by Hans Thiersch. These two theories were chosen because of their immense, structure-forming influence on social work.

The framework of this work does not allow for the inclusion of other theories, which is why Silvia Staub-Bernasconi's systemic theory, for example, which undisputedly has a formative character in current theoretical discourses, is not applied in this work.