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The Desk as a Barrier and Carrier in Social Work

Martinell Barfoed, Elizabeth LU and Hjärpe, Teres LU (2022) 53. p.141-141
Abstract
This chapter explores the desk as a material object as well as its sym- bolic representations in social work from a professional perspective. As we will demonstrate, different and sometimes incompatible meanings and functions associated with the desk reflect current tensions and profession- al dilemmas: On the one hand, ever since the emergence of the social work profession, the desk has symbolized a distanced and uncommitted social worker, even representing asymmetric power relations.2 On the other hand, recent endeavors at professionalization, evidence-based practices, and ac- countable welfare work have resulted, to some degree unintentionally, in an administrative turn and a strengthening of the bureaucratic understand- ing of the... (More)
This chapter explores the desk as a material object as well as its sym- bolic representations in social work from a professional perspective. As we will demonstrate, different and sometimes incompatible meanings and functions associated with the desk reflect current tensions and profession- al dilemmas: On the one hand, ever since the emergence of the social work profession, the desk has symbolized a distanced and uncommitted social worker, even representing asymmetric power relations.2 On the other hand, recent endeavors at professionalization, evidence-based practices, and ac- countable welfare work have resulted, to some degree unintentionally, in an administrative turn and a strengthening of the bureaucratic understand- ing of the mission.3 Social workers, often described as semi-professionals striving for higher status, face trade-offs between traditional ideals of being committed and working close to the community, and administrative work in the office. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
DESKBOUND CULTURES : Media and Materialities at Work - Media and Materialities at Work
editor
Jarlbrink, Johan and Järpvall, Charlie
volume
53
article number
53
pages
162 pages
publisher
Mediehistoriskt arkiv
ISBN
978-91-985800-9-9
978-91-985800-8-2
project
Digital och automatiserad öppenvård och behandling i Helsingborgs stad
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
67c0bdef-fc34-47b7-bdf0-bb0e3c79e12b
date added to LUP
2022-08-08 13:12:38
date last changed
2023-03-17 07:56:19
@inbook{67c0bdef-fc34-47b7-bdf0-bb0e3c79e12b,
  abstract     = {{This chapter explores the desk as a material object as well as its sym- bolic representations in social work from a professional perspective. As we will demonstrate, different and sometimes incompatible meanings and functions associated with the desk reflect current tensions and profession- al dilemmas: On the one hand, ever since the emergence of the social work profession, the desk has symbolized a distanced and uncommitted social worker, even representing asymmetric power relations.2 On the other hand, recent endeavors at professionalization, evidence-based practices, and ac- countable welfare work have resulted, to some degree unintentionally, in an administrative turn and a strengthening of the bureaucratic understand- ing of the mission.3 Social workers, often described as semi-professionals striving for higher status, face trade-offs between traditional ideals of being committed and working close to the community, and administrative work in the office.}},
  author       = {{Martinell Barfoed, Elizabeth and Hjärpe, Teres}},
  booktitle    = {{DESKBOUND CULTURES : Media and Materialities at Work}},
  editor       = {{Jarlbrink, Johan and Järpvall, Charlie}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-985800-9-9}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  pages        = {{141--141}},
  publisher    = {{Mediehistoriskt arkiv}},
  title        = {{The Desk as a Barrier and Carrier in Social Work}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/122392103/Deskbound_cultures_inlaga_OA.pdf}},
  volume       = {{53}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}