Fish need bicycles: An exploration of the perceptions of male social work students on a qualifying course
Authors: Parker, J. and Crabtree, S.A.
Journal: British Journal of Social Work
Volume: 44
Issue: 2
Pages: 310-327
eISSN: 1468-263X
ISSN: 0045-3102
DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcs117
Abstract:The social work regulatory body in England, the General Social Care Council (GSCC), report the predominance of female professionals, where 77 per cent of registered social workers in 2009-10 were female. The disparity is even greater among social work students, with male enrolments declining from 16 per cent in 2006-07 to 13 per cent in 2007-08. The low proportion of male enrolments is of concern to the GSCC, who wish to encourage gender balance in the profession. This paper reports findings from a small-scale qualitative study exploring the perceptions of past and present male undergraduate students at a UK university, in respect of their gender status. Power relations between male students and predominantly female academic staff, practice teachers and practitioners are explored. This study is underpinned by a comprehensive but condensed review of research literature examining the male presence in social work and discourses pertaining to male students, practitioners and, of equal importance, service users. © The Author 2012.
Source: Scopus
Preferred by: Jonathan Parker
