The University of North Carolina Press VORII CAROLINA Social Forces, University of North Carolina Press Social Work Today Author(s): Helen I. Clarke Source: Social Forces, Vol 23, No. 2(Dec, 1944), pp 178-187 Published by: University of North Carolina Press StableUrl:http://www.jstor.org/stable/2572141 Accessed:0/01/201108:59 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsPJstOr'sTermsandConditionsofUseprovidesinpartthatunless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work, Publisher contact information may be obtained at http://www.jstor.org/action/showpublisher?publishercode=uncpress Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission JStOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor. org rsity of North Carolina Press and University of North Carolina Press are collaborating JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Social Forces OR ittp://www.jstor.org
Social Forces, University of North Carolina Press Social Work Today Author(s): Helen I. Clarke Source: Social Forces, Vol. 23, No. 2 (Dec., 1944), pp. 178-187 Published by: University of North Carolina Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2572141 . Accessed: 04/01/2011 08:59 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp. JSTOR's Terms and Conditions of Use provides, in part, that unless you have obtained prior permission, you may not download an entire issue of a journal or multiple copies of articles, and you may use content in the JSTOR archive only for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the publisher regarding any further use of this work. Publisher contact information may be obtained at . http://www.jstor.org/action/showPublisher?publisherCode=uncpress. . Each copy of any part of a JSTOR transmission must contain the same copyright notice that appears on the screen or printed page of such transmission. JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. Social Forces, University of North Carolina Press and University of North Carolina Press are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Social Forces. http://www.jstor.org
PUBLIC WELFARE AND SOCIAL WORK Contributions to th ere cil protea working pro gamer co oferbfces kin m gs g ind progres in og di cial results of study and research 6x熄炒孤总郑孤总郑 SOCIAL WORK TODAY HELEN I. CLARKE University of wisconsin instead of servants. a depression and a war have HAT are some of the highlights in social made that point of view anachronistic. Today work today and where does the pro- social work is less self-conscious and introspective fession seem to be going? There are and more aware of its place in a larger setting developments which are of major importance to Its objectives include not only providing technical the profession and to broad community welfare: skills to individuals with problems but also the there are others which are less so. Both dema prevention of distress. This implies knowledge attention but first let us consider those which of economic and social conditions and of national appear to have greatest significance. It seems the writer that there are four developments in social Innumerable illustrations might be given to work which are important for the total welfare of make this point. For example, the Emergency human beings and not just for social work per- Committee for Social Work comprised of seventy formance. They are:(1)the revived interest of social workers from all over the country, published social workers in social movements, social action, in the April 1944 Compass an article entitled To Social Workers: A Call to Action. Their objectives social work; (3)the adaptation of social work to for social action are as follows: (1)full development settings;(4)the weaving of the profession of and equitable distribution of national and inter social work into the community fabric. Let us national resources;(2)full employment and bal consider briefly each of these points. anced wage price system; 3)extension of education First. Social work is experiencing revitalization health services, housing, recreation, and socia/ It is looking at itself critically and constructively: security,(4)racial and ethnic equality. At least is adapting itself to a rapidly changing milieu; two meetings at Cleveland during the 1944 Na and it is restating its philosophy. In the early tional Conference of Social Work were given over years of what we now call social work, in the last this subject quarter of the nineteenth century, the leaders, not Again illustrative of the emphasis on causation yet having formulated many techniques, did not and prevention of social and personal problems are worry too much about them but put major em- the topics of some of the speeches given at Cleve- phasis on the social situation of the persons with land, such as: "War and the Social Services, "by whom they worked. If the environment was in. Elizabeth Wisner, President of the Conference adequate and unsatisfactory, they had the courag with her emphasis on the need for full employment fearlessly to expose it and to attempt its change In time, however, almost total consideration was P M magazine with his emphasis on the three goal given to techniques and methods, an inevitable and most wanted by our Armed Forces: a busy America even desirable phase of any profession provided the a warless world, a belief or faith; " The Social forest is not lost sight of, which unfortunately hap- Responsibility of Labor in Postwar Society"by two pened in social work. Techniques became masters labor leaders from the aF of L and the CIO
PUBLIC WELFARE AND SOCIAL WORK Contributions to this Department will include material of three kinds: (a) original discussion, suggestion, plans, programs, and thei_,J orics; (2)ureprs of ;,ecl ' peojects, working programs, conferences and meetings, and progress in any distcictive aspect of the ied; (3) sg pecial results of study an eerch. SOCIAL WORK TODAY HELEN I. CLARKE University of Wisconsin INTRODUCTION W HAT are some of the highlights in social work today and where does the profession seem to be going? There are developments which are of major importance to the profession and to broad community welfare; there are others which are less so. Both demand attention but first let us consider those which appear to have greatest significance. It seems to the writer that there are four developments in social work which are important for the total welfare of human beings and not just for social work performance. They are: (1) the revived interest of social workers in social movements, social action, social reform; (2) the cooperation of labor and social work; (3) the adaptation of social work to new settings; (4) the weaving of the profession of social work into the community fabric. Let us consider briefly each of these points. First. Social work is experiencing revitalization. It is looking at itself critically and constructively; it is adapting itself to a rapidly changing milieu; and it is restating its philosophy. In the early years of what we now call social work, in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the leaders, not yet having formulated many techniques, did not worry too much about them but put major emphasis on the social situation of the persons with whom they worked. If the environment was inadequate and unsatisfactory, they had the courage fearlessly to expose it and to attempt its change. In time, however, almost total consideration was given to techniques and methods, an inevitable and even desirable phase of any profession provided the forest is not lost sight of, which unfortunately happened in social work. Techniques became masters instead of servants. A depression and a war have made that point of view anachronistic. Today social work is less self-conscious and introspective and more aware of its place in a larger setting. Its objectives include not only providing technical skills to individuals with problems but also the prevention of distress. This implies knowledge of economic and social conditions and of national and international problems. Innumerable illustrations might be given to make this point. For example, the Emergency Committee for Social Work comprised of seventy social workers from all over the country, published in the April 1944 Compass an article entitled To Social Workers: A Call to Action. Their objectives for social action are as follows: (1) full development and equitable distribution of national and international resources; (2) full employment and balanced wage price system; (3) extension of education, health services, housing, recreation, and social security, (4) racial and ethnic equality. At least two meetings at Cleveland during the 1944 National Conference of Social Work were given over to this subject. Again illustrative of the emphasis on causation and prevention of social and personal problems are the topics of some of the speeches given at Cleveland, such as: "War and the Social Services," by Elizabeth Wisner, President of the Conference, with her emphasis on the need for full employment; "A Nation Worthy of Heroes" by Max Lerner of P M magazine with his emphasis on the three goals most wanted by our Armed Forces: a busy America, a warless world, a belief or faith; "The Social Responsibility of Labor in Postwar Society" by two labor leaders from the AF of L and the CIO; 178
PUBLIC WELFARE 179 'Needed Amendments to the Social Security Act social work. In the language of Dr. Ellen Potter and Their Achievement" by James E. Murray, 1944-45 President of the National Conference of co-author of the Wagner- Murray-Dingell Bill; Social Work, "From the point of view of the in- A Health Program for the Nation""by Michael M. coming President, the most profoundly significant Davis, Chairman of the Committee on Research development [at the Cleveland meetings] was the in Medical Economics; "International Migration: presence of organized labor in strength, AF of L Displaced Persons"by Mary E. Hurlbutt, of the and CIO registering as members, attending meet New York School of Social Work;"Equality of ings, speaking from the floor, asking pertinent Opportunity""by Lester B. Granger, Secretary of questions and speaking formally from several the National Urban league. platforms. The Joint Committee of Trade Lin, Gordon Hamilton, an outstanding case Unions in Social Work and The National Social worker and teacher in the New York School of Service Division of the United Office and Pro- Social Work, in a recent article in the Social Service fessional Workers of America are strong forces Review placed a strong emphasis on the need for especially in the east, in welding closer this rela reconceiving the curriculum of schools of social tionship A strong precipitating factor in this work in terms of world human needs. In such welding process has been joint participation in war planning she believes it necessary that the subject relief campaigns but the depression hastened an matter, philosophy, and technical skills be related inter-group consciousness. Labor and social work to a positive program for an adequate standard of share the same interest in the common man- living, to a world point of view, and to a philosophy his economic, social, and political welfare wherever of racial and cultural democracy. In her words, he may be. It is inevitable that labor and social Our students must assimilate fully the tremendous work organizations increasingly work together and concepts of rights, of needs, of responsibilities, of often in the face of opposition from politicians tolerance, self-direction and participation and boards of directors and vested interests. It is translate these tremendous concepts into skills. quite possible that some such heckling group as l of this seems to indicate that the social the dies Committee will come forth with the ac worker is again willing to be a reformer-not in cusation that the labor movement is the left wing the sense of muckraker or uninformed zealot or of social work or social work the right wing of bigoted missionary, but in the sense of combining labor. The truth of the matter is that because of knowledge of facts with a faith that a better world similarity of objectives there must be a closer tie-up can be achieved. There need not be a separation between these two large organized groups. It is between good professional practice and earnest even possible that from these two groups will come striving for a good life anymore than what Harold the main pressures for directed social change Laski calls the divorce between scholarship and Third and fourth. Since these developments will te. In his words, The abyss which separates the be discussed in considerable detail in the body of ntellectuals of the main world of scholarship, this paper it is unnecessary to do more than briefly above all in the academic world, from the main refer to them here. The methodologies problems of their time is as grave in its implications of social work, case work, group work, and com s it is wide in its extent 3 munity organization are making striking adjust Carr-Saunders and wilson in their book, The ments to changing conditions and are doing it far Professions regret that the professions make more easily than they did during the depression progress but only in their own grooves, that they The tremendous amount of attention that has been do not grasp the essential features of social and given to social work skills and to the broad social economic situations, that they treat superficially services since 1930, means that there is less resis- the remainder of life outside their special activities. tance today to the profession, in part because social own organizations not only for the consideration doxically have become better technicians, and in of technical problems but for the determination of part because the people who need the social serv- the place of the particular professional group in ices understand them and want them. Even the society. This is now being done by numbers Army has found itself using case workers, whom it calls fiele Second. The next development, and directly physical, and social histories on potential indue linked with the first, is the alliance of labor and tees. Although social workers are still ridiculed
PUBLIC WELFARE 179 "Needed Amendments to the Social Security Act and Their Achievement" by James E. Murray, co-author of the Wagner-Murray-Dingell Bill; "A Health Program for the Nation" by Michael M. Davis, Chairman of the Committee on Research in Medical Economics; "International Migration: Displaced Persons" by Mary E. Hurlbutt, of the New York School of Social Work; "Equality of Opportunity" by Lester B. Granger, Secretary of the National Urban League. Again, Gordon Hamilton, an outstanding case worker and teacher in the New York School of Social Work, in a recent article in the Social Service Review placed a strong emphasis on the need for reconceiving the curriculum of schools of social work in terms of world human needs. In such planning she believes it necessary that the subject matter, philosophy, and technical skills be related to a positive program for an adequate standard of living, to a world point of view, and to a philosophy of racial and cultural democracy. In her words, "Our students must assimilate fully the tremendous concepts of rights, of needs, of responsibilities, of tolerance, self-direction and participation and translate these tremendous concepts into skills." All of this seems to indicate that the social worker is again willing to be a reformer-not in the sense of muckraker or uninformed zealot or bigoted missionary, but in the sense of combining a knowledge of facts with a faith that a better world can be achieved. There need not be a separation between good professional practice and earnest striving for a good life anymore than what Harold Laski calls the divorce between scholarship and life. In his words, "The abyss which separates the intellectuals of the main world of scholarship, above all in the academic world, from the main problems of their time is as grave in its implications as it is wide in its extent." Carr-Saunders and Wilson in their book, The Professions regret that the professions make progress but only in their own grooves, that they do not grasp the essential features of social and economic situations, that they treat superficially the remainder of life outside their special activities. The remedy for this lack of vision is the use of their own organizations not only for the consideration of technical problems but for the determination of the place of the particular professional group in society. This is now being done by numbers of social work groups. Second. The next development, and directly linked with the first, is the alliance of labor and social work. In the language of Dr. Ellen Potter, 1944-45 President of the National Conference of Social Work, "From the point of view of the incoming President, the most profoundly significant development [at the Cleveland meetings] was the presence of organized labor in strength, AF of L and CIO registering as members, attending meetings, speaking from the floor, asking pertinent questions and speaking formally from several platforms." The Joint Committee of Trade Unions in Social Work and The National Social Service Division of the United Office and Professional Workers of America are strong forces, especially in the east, in welding closer this relationship. A strong precipitating factor in this welding process has been joint participation in war relief campaigns but the depression hastened an inter-group consciousness. Labor and social work share the same interest in the common man-in his economic, social, and political welfare wherever he may be. It is inevitable that labor and social work organizations increasingly work together and often in the face of opposition from politicians, boards of directors, and vested interests. It is quite possible that some such heckling group as the Dies Committee will come forth with the accusation that the labor movement is the left wing of social work or social work the right wing of labor. The truth of the matter is that because of similarity of objectives there must be a closer tie-up between these two large organized groups. It is even possible that from these two groups will come the main pressures for directed social change. Third and fourth. Since these developments will be discussed in considerable detail in the body of this paper it is unnecessary to do more than briefly refer to them here. The various methodologies of social work, case work, group work, and community organization are making striking adjustments to changing conditions and are doing it far more easily than they did during the depression. The tremendous amount of attention that has been given to social work skills and to the broad social services since 1930, means that there is less resistance today to the profession, in part because social workers are not so technique-minded and paradoxically have become better technicians, and in part because the people who need the social services understand them and want them. Even the Army has found itself using case workers, whom it ambiguously calls field agents, to gather mental, physical, and social histories on potential inductees. Although social workers are still ridiculed or
SOCIAL FORCES berated, and although relatively few people have period when it considers realities other than itself. much insight into their purposes and processes, Dr Ellen Potter made a similar observation when there is general acceptance of their indispensability whe wrote in a little article, "The President Speaks and the war is greatly increasing both acceptance her mind. in the July Conference Bulletin, "There and understanding was a shift in emphasis in the section programs [of the 1944 National Conference of Social Workl which was of historic significance. Case work did Having set out a brief general introductory state- not hold the spotlight to the same degree as in ment of developments and challenges in social recent years. Its techniques and psychiatric re- work, let us now proceed to observe activities and ements gave place to adaptation of skill to new trends in the areas of case work, group work, com. needs, in new settings, and shortcuts to goals which munity organization, public welfare administration must be quickly reached. " The present most significant developments Until very recently such organizations as The case work appear to be three: (1)counseling::(2) American Association of Social Workers and the extension into new fields;(3) leadership in the American Association of Schools of Social Work reconception of function built their membership and curricula requirements on the theory that the primary skills of social work marriage counseling, counseling in clinics are not are those of case work. In fact a case worker, new processes. The first has not usually been Mary Richmond, is responsible for the first com- done by professional case workers, the latter two prehensive formulation of social work and case often have. For the purposes of this paper coun workers have built additional principles. Many one individual seeking help from the other who is of these principles and techniques are equally ap. prepared to give the help without superimposition plicable to the other areas of social work. For of opinion or act. Suddenly counseling has be. example,all social workers must learn how to come a popular function, often performed by gather data, analyze, evaluate, and use it. All persons or agencies wishing to be helpful but not social workers must understand that behavior is quite knowing how. PTA's, AAUW's, Rotary symptomatic and purposive and may express deep Clubs, Junior Chambers of Commerce develop a sciously motivated; that it has a history. All social refugees, or migratory workers or whomever. It workers must appreciate the significance of the is as though there were magic in the word and hence in the activity. cultural environment to the development of per- The rapid growth of counseling in both new and sonality. All must recognize that the family as a old settings as in unions and in industry, in the unit of interacting personalities, is the primary administration of the social insurances, in employ- institution in the formation of personality and character. All must develop their professional ment and rehabilitation agencies, in USO's, in selves. All must believ settlements, Ys, Scout organizations, and in ciple of the right of self- determination and apply correctional institutions, inevitably means much it. Such principles as these permeate social work nadequate and some competent service. Many of activity and are part of the daily performance of the people in these organizations are counseling in all social workers. Case work has been the meal the sense of prescribing and dictating, not in the by which many of these ideas have seeped throu ense of helping the client work all professional social work practice. destiny. The principles of case work should be the principles of counseling or in other wo is case work most frequently on a short contact limelight today as ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago. basis. It seems clear that counseling will come to This is undoubtedly due to many factors, in part be considered an aspect of case work if case workers ecause the other areas of performance are more function unobtrusively and without smug superi- aware of the contributions they have to make and ority of language, performance, and principle re making them, and in part because the youthful Second. Case work has always been phase of case work when it talked and thought numerous settings. The recent rapid extension of constantly of itself is superseded by a more adult case work to new fields has come about largely
180 SOCIAL FORCES berated, and although relatively few people have much insight into their purposes and processes, there is general acceptance of their indispensability and the war is greatly increasing both acceptance and understanding. CASE WORK Having set out a brief general introductory statement of developments and challenges in social work, let us now proceed to observe activities and trends in the areas of case work, group work, community organization, public welfare administration and social action. Until very recently such organizations as The American Association of Social Workers and the American Association of Schools of Social Work built their membership and curricula requirements on the theory that the primary skills of social work are those of case work. In fact a case worker, Mary Richmond, is responsible for the first comprehensive formulation of social work and case work principles. Upon her formulation successive workers have built additional principles. Many of these principles and techniques are equally applicable to the other areas of social work. For example, all social workers must learn how to gather data, analyze, evaluate, and use it. All social workers must understand that behavior is symptomatic and purposive and may express deep conflict; that it may be consciously or unconsciouslymotivated;that it hasa history. All social workers must appreciate the significance of the cultural environment to the development of personality. All must recognize that the family as a unit of interacting personalities\ is the primary institution in the formation of personality and character. All must develop their professional 'selves. All must believe in the democratic principle of the right of self-determination and apply it. Such principles as these permeate social work activity and are part of the daily perforrmance of all social workers. Case work has been the means by which many of these ideas have seeped through all professional social-work practice. Case work, however, is not occupying the same limelight today as ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago. This is undoubtedly due to many factors, in part because the other areas of performance are more aware of the contributions they have to make and are making them, and in part because the youthful phase of case work when it talked and thought constantly of itself is superseded by a more adult period when it considers realities other than itself. Dr. Ellen Potter made a similar observation when whe wrote in a little article, "The President Speaks her mind." in the July Conference Bulletin, "There was a shift in emphasis in the section programs [of the 1944 National Conference of Social Work] which was of historic significance. Case work did not hold the spotlight to the samne degree as in recent years. Its techniques and psychiatric refinements gave place to adaptation of skill to new, needs, in new settings, and shortcuts to goals which must be quickly reached." The present most significant developments in case work appear to be three: (1) counseling; (2) extension into new fields; (3) leadership in the reconception of function. First. Vocational and industrial counseling, marriage counseling, counseling in clinics are not newy processes. The first has not usually been done by professional case workers, the latter two often have. For the purposes of this paper counseling means a person to person relationship with one individual seeking help from the other who is prepared to give the help without superimposition of opinion or act. Suddenly counseling has become a popular function, often performed by persons or agencies wishing to be helpful but not quite knowing how. PTA's, AAUW's, Rotary Clubs, Junior Chambers of Commerce develop a counseling program for soldiers or soldiers' wives, refugees, or migratory workers or whomever. It is as though there were magic in the word and hence in the activity. The rapid growth of counseling in both new and old settings as in unions and in industry, in the administration of the social insurances, in employment and rehabilitation agencies, in USO's, in settlements, Y's, Scout organizations, and in correctional institutions, inevitably means much inadequate and some competent service. Many of the people in these organizations are counseling in the sense of prescribing and dictating, not in the sense of helping the client work out his own destiny. The principles of case work should be the principles of counseling or in other words, counseling is case work most frequently on a short contact basis. It seems clear that counseling will come to be considered an aspect of case work if case workers function unobtrusively and without smug superiority of language, performance, and principle. Second. Case work has always been used in numerous settings. The recent rapid extension of case work to new fields has come about largely
PUBLIC WELFARE hrough the expansion of counseling just discussed. seems clear that recreation workers who are usually Perhaps the most important extension of case work considered to have a program-centered interest and methods is taking place in labor unions, in war group workers a person-centered interest cannot nurseries both in the admission and in well do without the other. Even such organiza- the treatment of the children themselves, in uso tions as the Uso, where most of the activities are clubs and in USO Travelers Aids, in public housing planned for participation by thousands of service ventures, in the rehabilitation agencies, in informa- men, carries on group work activities. Not onl tion centers for returning veterans, and with the are some of the activities adapted to small numbers old services of the Red Cross including Home of participants but many leaders consciously and Service and medical social service. In most of carefully employ the techniques of group work. these areas the contacts of the case worker n a uso known to the writer, which makes some counselor are short and considerable adaptation of 50,000 contacts a month, one staff member trained techniques is in peace-time group work gives special attention to Third. The expansion of the horizons of social craft, music, art and discussion groups; incidentally work, referred to in the introduction of this paper, he is the most resourceful member of the staff in has been precipitated in large part by case workers. planning programs for the multitudes This is not to say that there are no leaders in this Third, a tremendous growth of interest in rec- new activity from the areas of group work and reation, particularly youth activities and largely community organization but that numbers of work- because of greatly increased delinquency. Hun- ers from the case work area, as Bertha Reynolds dreds of communities have not only expanded Gordon Hamilton, Fern Lowry, Clara Rabinowitz existing recreation and group work resources, but Antoinette Cannon, Dorothy Kahn, Constance have set up youth centers and councils. Innum Kyle, took the initiative in drawing attention to erable articles on youth activities with a juvenile the interrelation of person and environment before delinquency-prevention emphasis appear in maga the revived interest in consciously directed social zines of as divergent types as, The survey, recrea- change virtually became a social movement. tion, Time, Life, Vogue, Mademoiselle. Evidence Even though that proportion of the total number accumulates that police departments throughout of case workers performing this function is small, the country are becoming increasingly interested still it is the case worker who has helped give new in the provision of recreation as one method of dimensions to the familiar social work job. preventing delinquency. Interest in leisure time activities for youth as a GROUP WORK hat are the most significant developments in emphasized that some communities are in danger ocial group work? They are several: First, the of forgetting that younger children, adults, and recent careful formulation of methods and prin- the aged also have recreational interests and needs. ciples, a phase which case work has been going This overemphasis is not so likely to occur in those through since 1917 and the publication of Social communities which appreciate that the teen Diagnosis. Such books as Newe Trends in Group canteen should be managed by youth and only Work, Studies in Group Behavior, Creative Group sponsered by adults, that the youth center is only Education illustrate this development. None has a part of a total community leisure-time program, yet done for group work and social work what that such purposes as relaxation and rest, person ial Diagnosis did for case work and social work. ality growth, the expansion of interest horizons are The creation of the American Association for the as important as delinquency prevention. It is Study of Group Work, comprised of anyone in- probably true, however, that too many people have terested in the field, and its organ, The GrouP, have benefited by new or expanded programs and by the focused attention on professional group work wide use of such resources as schools and churches blems and now there js discussion of forming for leisure time activities to experience sudden n organization comprised exclusively of pro- diminution in the postwar period. What form fessional group workers that interest will take and its extent are difficult Second, the mutual understanding of group work- to predict, but it does seem clear that many ers and recreation workers, who may or may not hitherto uninterested persons now believe that be competent in both areas of performance. It both public and private funds should be provided
PUBLIC WELFARE 181 through the expansion of counseling just discussed. Perhaps the most important extension of case work methods is taking place in labor unions, in war nurseries both in the admission processes and in the treatment of the children themselves, in USO clubs and in USO Travelers Aids, in public housing ventures, in the rehabilitation agencies, in information centers for returning veterans, and with the old services of the Red Cross including Home Service and medical social service. In most of these areas the contacts of the case worker or counselor are short and considerable adaptation of techniques is necessary. Third. The expansion of the horizons of social work, referred to in the introduction of this paper, has been precipitated in large part by case workers. This is not to say that there are no leaders in this new activity from the areas of group work and community organization but that numbers of workers from the case work area, as Bertha Reynolds, Gordon Hamilton, Fern Lowry, Clara Rabinowitz Antoinette Cannon, Dorothy Kahn, Constance Kyle, took the initiative in drawing attention to the interrelation of person and environment before the revived interest in consciously directed social change virtually became a social movement. Even though that proportion of the total number of case workers performing this function is small, still it is the case worker who has helped give new dimensions to the familiar social work job. GROUP WORK What are the most significant developments in social group work? They are several: First, the recent careful formulation of methods and principles, a phase which case work has been going through since 1917 and the publication of Social Diagnosis. Such books as New Trends in Group Work, Studies in Group Behavior, Creative Group Education illustrate this development. None has yet done for group work and social work what Social Diagnosis did for case work and social work. The creation of the American Association for the Study of Group Work, comprised of anyone interested in the field, and its organ, The Group, have focused attention on professional group work problems and now there is discussion of forming an organization comprised exclusively of professional group workers. Second, the mutual understanding of group workers and recreation workers, who may or may not be competent in both areas of performance. It seems clear that recreation workers who are usuallv considered to have a program-centered interest and group workers a person-centered interest cannot well do without the other. Even such organizations as the USO, where most of the activities are planned for participation by thousands of service men, carries on group work activities. Not only are some of the activities adapted to small numbers of participants but many leaders consciously and carefully employ the techniques of group work. In a USO known to the writer, which makes some 50,000 contacts a month, one staff member trained in peace-time group work gives special attention to craft, music, art and discussion groups; incidentally he is the most resourceful member of the staff in planning programs for the multitudes. Third, a tremendous growth of interest in recreation, particularly youth activities and largely because of greatly increased delinquency. Hundreds of communities have not only expanded existing recreation and group work resources, but have set up youth centers and councils. Innumerable articles on youth activities with a juveniledelinquency-prevention emphasis appear in magazines of as divergent types as, The Survey, Recreation, Time, Life, Vogue, Mademoiselle. Evidence accumulates that police departments throughout the country are becoming increasingly interested in the provision of recreation as one method of preventing delinquency. Interest in leisure time activities for youth as a means of preventing delinquency has been so emphasized that some communities are in danger of forgetting that younger children, adults, and the aged also have recreational interests and needs. This overemphasis is not so likely to occur in those communities which appreciate that the teencanteen should be managed by youth and only sponsered by adults, that the youth center is only a part of a total community leisure-time program, that such purposes as relaxation and rest, personality growth, the expansion of interest horizons are as important as delinquency prevention. It is probablv true, however, that too many people have benefited by new or expanded programs and by the wide use of such resources as schools and churches, for leisure time activities to experience sudden dimiinution in the postwar period. What form that interest will take and its extent are difficult to predict, but it does seem clear that many hitherto uninterested persons now believe that both public and private funds should be provided