The gendered role of social work as a social construct: A call for critical discourse

Abstract

South African societies are predominated with societal norms which are even pervasive in workplace environment causing gendered  divisions. This article explores the impact of these norms to society and service delivery especially within Social work which is constructed  to be a female dominated profession in South Africa. This have several impacts to society and delivery of services. Although currently  there is a growing number of males in the profession, but the distribution of roles and attitudes has not changed. This impacts services to  society in many ways. Based on the narrative review of literature, and critical paradigm, this article focuses on the implications for lack  of gender balance in social work profession in South Africa. In a society that suffer from domestic issues such as gender-based violence,  rape, absent fathers to mention a few, having males’ perspectives in intervention is likely to bring a critical paradigm shift.