The Values of (Social) Work

Often I am asked about my profession: "Like that need training ah? So many volunteers around, all can do the same thing as you, only give out food and chitchat what".

(The other question I am frequently asked is "Like that can earn money ah?" Of course the short answer is No, absolutely not, but the payoffs come in other forms.)

I illustrate the first question with an analogy between physics and social work:

Work is done on an object if and only if:
1. a force is exerted on the object, and
2. the object moves as a result of the force exerted in 1.

If a force is exerted on the object but it does not move, no work is done.

If the object moves but not because of the force exerted on it, no observable work is done either, and the system is artificial and bounded wrongly - we must look outside this defined system for the source of the force. Implicit assumption: There is a force.

So the popular conception of social work is like saying that work is done only because the force of human generosity and compassion is exerted on the object. Whether any effect is achieved seems to be irrelevant. And if such effect is observed, it seems to be "understood" without question that it must have been due to the force of human generosity and compassion acted on it. This view of the profession is so ... wrong.

I have not even begun to look into the efficiencies of such forces, yet. :) And that is why social work is a profession and not a mere leisure activity.