I fully agree with the following quote from Zeller: "A study of social work and social pedagogy that is taught without history, that is, that does not ask about its roots, remains largely only on the surface of its professionalisation." Because I find the history of social work very important for understanding social work today.
In my opinion, the historical development of social work/social pedagogy is the basis for a professional self-understanding. In order to make it clear to myself which profession I choose, I have to know the history of this profession, why it exists at all and why in this form. Looking at the historical lines of development makes it clear that social work/social pedagogy on the one hand is to be understood from history until today, on the other hand that it is also a history of terms and their interpretations. In part, the same words are used to describe new contents - which also leads to misunderstandings.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Explanatory approaches to the development of social work and social pedagogy
3. History of Social Work
3.1 Why did social work come into being?
3.2 The Middle Ages
3.3 Beginning of modern times
3.4 Absolutism and Enlightenment
3.5 Industrialisation
3.6 Empire and Weimar Republic
3.7 National Socialism
3.8 German Democratic Republic
3.9 Federal Republic of Germany
4. Summary
5. Reflection
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive historical overview of the development of social work and social pedagogy in Germany. By analyzing various historical periods and theoretical approaches, the author seeks to understand the origins of the profession and justify the application of the "convergence theory" to explain how these two fields have evolved toward an integrated practice.
- Theoretical frameworks regarding the relationship between social work and social pedagogy.
- Historical evolution of welfare from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
- The impact of political systems, including National Socialism and the GDR, on social welfare.
- The role of key figures and legislative developments in shaping the profession.
- The development of the modern integrated understanding of social work.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 The Middle Ages
Due to wars and diseases, the poverty in the villages increased so much that the problem could no longer be solved by the family. As a result, the public welfare of the poor arose.
It was to be regarded as an independent offer of help. Their benefit system included, firstly, adult care and, secondly, child care.
A distinction was made between material poverty, which was seen as the reason for adult poverty, and moral poverty, which was the reason for the poverty of children. Material poverty was mainly economic failure. Moral poverty was understood to be neglect and inadequate education of children.
Thomas Aquinas developed a theoretical model of poverty. His view of the social order said that the common good stands before that of the individual, which is why the individual has to subordinate himself to society. The social order, so v. Aquinas, be natural and willed by God. This meant that poverty was a necessary level for society, so it should not be fought through care, but should be maintained.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author establishes the necessity of studying history to achieve a professional self-understanding in social work.
2. Explanatory approaches to the development of social work and social pedagogy: Seven different theories are presented to explain the relationship between social work and social pedagogy, with the author opting for the convergence theory.
3. History of Social Work: This chapter traces the development of welfare from the Middle Ages through various historical eras up to the Federal Republic of Germany.
4. Summary: The chapter concludes that the separate fields of adult welfare and youth welfare have converged over time into a unified domain of social work.
5. Reflection: The author discusses the challenges of researching this topic and the difficulty of condensing such extensive information while maintaining an overview of historical processes.
Keywords
Social Work, Social Pedagogy, History of Welfare, Convergence Theory, Middle Ages, Industrialisation, National Socialism, GDR, Federal Republic of Germany, Youth Welfare, Poverty, Social Insurance, Professionalization, Welfare State, Educational History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work provides a historical analysis of the development of social work and social pedagogy in Germany, examining how these fields have evolved from their roots to their current integrated state.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include the shift from religious charity to state-organized welfare, the impact of various historical political systems, and the theoretical debate regarding the professional identity of social workers and social pedagogues.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The objective is to trace the historical lines of development to foster a deeper professional self-understanding and to support the "convergence theory" as a framework for current practice.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The author applies a historical-analytical approach, reviewing literature and theoretical models (such as those classified by Albert Mühlum) to synthesize the history of the profession.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section spans from the Middle Ages to the modern era, covering the emergence of public welfare, the effects of the industrial revolution, the impact of the Weimar Republic and Nazi era, and the development of youth welfare in the GDR and FRG.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Essential keywords include Social Work, Social Pedagogy, Convergence Theory, Welfare History, and Professionalization.
How did Thomas Aquinas influence the understanding of poverty?
Aquinas viewed poverty as a natural and God-willed state necessary for society, arguing that it should not be eliminated but rather maintained, while providing opportunities for the rich to perform charitable acts to absolve their sins.
What was the "Elberfeld System"?
Developed in the late 19th century in Elberfeld, this was a municipal system that utilized volunteer nurses to provide individual assessments and aid to the poor, aiming to tackle the root causes of poverty like unemployment.
Why did the author choose to apply the "convergence theory"?
The author rejects the idea of breaking down social work into isolated elements, viewing it instead as a holistic network where the fields of social work and social pedagogy are increasingly growing together in practice.
What was the specific approach to youth welfare in the GDR?
Youth welfare in the GDR was narrower and more state-controlled, focusing on helping individual problems while promoting a "socialist personality" and the integration of youth into the socialist system.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Svenja Bialk (Autor:in), 2003, Historical Development of Social Work to Demonstrate the Theory of Convergence, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1161584
