DefinePK

Research Objective

To present and explain the "poverty-aware social work paradigm" (PAP) as a comprehensive theoretical framework for engaging with individuals facing poverty, addressing philosophical, ethical, and practical challenges.

Methodology

The article presents a theoretical framework, the "poverty-aware social work paradigm" (PAP), which is analyzed through its ontological, epistemological, and axiological components. It draws upon existing literature in critical social work and poverty research, comparing PAP with conservative and structural paradigms. The methodology involves a conceptual analysis of these components and their implications for social work practice, supported by illustrative examples.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Introduction of Poverty-Aware Social Work Paradigm PAP"] --> B["Analysis of PAP's Ontological, Epistemological, and Axiological Components"];
    B --> C["Comparison with Conservative and Structural Paradigms"];
    C --> D["Identification of Key Findings and Contributions of PAP"];
    D --> E["Discussion of PAP's implications for practice and challenges"];
    E --> F["Conclusion on PAP's role in promoting social justice and poverty alleviation"];                    

Discussion

The discussion highlights how the PAP paradigm can transform social work practice by moving beyond individualistic explanations of poverty, as seen in the conservative paradigm, and by addressing the limitations of the structural paradigm's focus on redistribution without adequately considering interpersonal relationships. The article uses an example of a mother requesting clothing for her children to illustrate how different paradigms interpret the situation, emphasizing PAP's focus on understanding the family's plea as a response to societal marginalization rather than assuming dishonest intent. The degradation of ethical foundations in social work due to managerialism and neoliberal policies is also discussed, with PAP advocating for a more critical and analytical engagement with social structures.

Key Findings

The poverty-aware social work paradigm (PAP) offers a novel approach by integrating critical constructivism, emphasizing relationship-based knowledge, and acknowledging the political nature of knowledge acquisition. It challenges positivist assumptions prevalent in traditional social work paradigms by focusing on the client's perspective and the power dynamics inherent in professional relationships. PAP aims to reconcile theory and practice, contextualize interventions within power dynamics, and foster a more critical and analytical engagement with social structures and ideologies.

Conclusion

The poverty-aware social work paradigm (PAP) provides a critical and analytical framework for social work practice, emphasizing social justice and poverty alleviation. It encourages social workers to engage with social structures and ideologies, understand political dynamics in professional relationships, and develop strategic approaches to address poverty. The paradigm's principles are applicable across various social service sectors and national contexts, offering a path to modify existing practices and promote social justice.

Fact Check

1. Date of Publication: The article is published in Volume 6, Issue 2 (2023), covering July-September.
2. Coined Term: The term "poverty-aware approach" was coined by Davis and Wainwright (2005).
3. Author's Experience: The author established a social work program in Israel in 2010 focused on poverty awareness and has directed it since.

Mind Map