Is Social Work a Profession?

Abstract

This article examines Abraham Flexner’s seminal 1915 address, Is Social Work a Profession?, in which he critically evaluates the professional status of social work. Flexner argues that, despite its intellectual and humanitarian qualities, social work does not meet the defining criteria of a profession due to its lack of clearly defined methods, specific aims, and a systematic body of knowledge. He characterizes social work primarily as a mediating activity that coordinates the interventions of established professions such as medicine, law, and education, rather than functioning as an autonomous profession itself. The article situates Flexner’s arguments within the broader historical context of the Progressive Era, a period marked by rapid social, economic, and institutional transformation in the United States. It highlights how the diversity of social work activities and its wide scope limited its ability, in Flexner’s view, to develop specialized expertise comparable to other professions. Furthermore, Flexner emphasizes the importance of scientific methods, professional education, and rigorous documentation as essential components for achieving professional status. At the same time, he acknowledges the strong ethical commitment and humanitarian spirit inherent in social work, suggesting that the profession’s ultimate legitimacy may rest more on its moral purpose than on formal professional criteria. The article underscores the enduring influence of Flexner’s critique on debates about the identity, methods, and development of social work as a profession