Unintended Consequences of Professionalizing Youth Work: Lessons From Teaching and Social Work

Abstract

In this article, the authors use a comparative historical approach to examine the consequences of professionalization within teaching and social work and to answer the following questions: What are the unintended consequences of professionalization? Has professionalization in these fields supported higher quality practice, increased working conditions and salary, and improved social standing for these professions? What did each of these occupations lose when they professionalized? Did practice change as a result of professionalization? How or how not?

KEYWORDS:

• professionalization
• social work
• teaching