The Unexamined Identity: Students’ Conservative Ideology, Perspectives of Poverty, and Implications for Practice

ABSTRACT

Political ideology, shaped by both social identity and policy preferences, may influence how social work students define and approach social justice. This study examines how the political ideology of conservative and moderate social work students relates to their attitudes about the poor, attributions for poverty, and preferred ways to address poverty. Findings demonstrate that those with more conservative ideologies held more negative perspectives of the poor, were more likely to attribute poverty to individual fault, and supported more limited interventions. Unpacking political ideology in the classroom is critical in understanding our power within practice. Further research should consider how social workers’ political ideology affects their work with clients and dedication to the social and economic justice mission of social work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ This research project was approved by this institution’s Institutional Review Board in the summer of 2009.

² The actual survey item asked respondents to designate political philosophy. Yet the options offered align with our definition of ideology (conservative, moderate, liberal) and therefore, for clarity, we are utilizing the term ideology.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jessica Toft

Jessica Toft is an assistant professor at the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota.

Molly Calhoun

Molly Calhoun is a PhD candidate at the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota.