What is Social Work?

Micro Social Work with children

Social work is involvement with and for people on many different levels. Social workers are skilled in working with individuals at the micro level, with families and groups at the mezzo level, and with communities and organizations at the macro level. Social workers help deal with relationships, solving problems, and coping with social, economic, and environmental concerns such as discrimination, oppression, and racism which effect the daily life of populations-at-risk.

Social work is concerned with ensuring the responsiveness and effectiveness of the social institutions to which we look for needed resources for better living. Social workers focus on the interaction between people and their environments and institutions. Social workers are concerned with societal conditions in their efforts to improve the quality of life of those in need. A primary focus of social work is striving for social and economic justice, and helping to eliminate discrimination, oppression, and racism.

Macro Social Work - Working to change communities

Micro Practice
Social Work with Individuals

Mezzo Practice
Social Work with Groups and Families

Macro Practice
Social Work with Communities, Political Groups, and Organizations

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Updated: April 1, 2008

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