Professional Role Orientation and Social Activism

Authors

Linda Cherrey Reeser, Western Michigan University

Abstract

This article examines the effects on social action of the client, bureaucratic, and professional role orientations of social workers. A national survey was conducted of 682 social workers who were members of the National Association of Social Workers. Systematic sampling was used and the questionnaire was self-administered. A bureaucratic orientation is not supportive of activism; a client orientation encourages activism; and a professional orientation-taken alone-is neither conservatizing nor reinforcing of activism. However, an orientation to the profession when coupled with a client orientation intensifies the activist effects of a client orientation for practice groups within social work. Possible explanations for these findings are presented.

Recommended Citation

Reeser, Linda Cherrey (1992) "Professional Role Orientation and Social Activism," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 19: Iss. 2, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2022
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol19/iss2/7