Toward the sociology of social worker

Abstract

　In this paper, I propose “the sociology of social worker” which can contribute

the development of the theory and practice of social worker by analyzing the

system of social welfare critically. Social worker has the discretion to use his/

her power in order not only to support but also to control the client. The social

worker who can change the community uses the sociological imagination by

which one can analyze the constructional mechanism and variations behind the

individual problems. This type of social worker is “the critical practitioner” who

could transform her/his practice. It is necessary for the academics of welfare

sociology and social welfare to become “the practical critics” in order to support

“the critical practice and practitioner”. From this perspective, I suggest the

possibility of “the sociology of social worker”.