Political correctness, social work, and the breakdown of the child abuse system

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between political correctness, social work, and the breakdown of the child abuse system. Specifically, the authors explore the myth of the classlessness of child abuse by providing a brief overview of studies relating socioeconomic factors to child abuse. In addition, the article examines groups that stand to gain from perpetuating the myth of classlessness, including liberal politicians and policymakers, academicians, and psychotherapists. The authors then proceed to examine social work training for child protective services, including the preparedness of social workers for child welfare practice, the dearth of trained social workers in child protective services #opCPS#cp, and the politicization of the social work curriculum. Lastly, this article investigates the breakdown of the child abuse system with specific reference to high turnover rates among CPS workers; the declassification of public welfare jobs; and problems in the screening, investigation, and provision of services to vulnerable children and families.

Key Word:

• Child abuse
• political correctness
• myth of classlessness
• social work training