REASSESSING FLEXNER: AN HISTORICAL EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL WORK'S PROFESSIONAL EVOLUTION

Abstract

Abraham Flexner's pivotal address, "Is Social Work a Profession?" delivered in 1915, questioned the professional status of social work and raised doubts about its well-defined methods for education. His assessment, suggesting that social work was not yet a profession, had a lasting impact on the field. Despite being presented over a century ago, Flexner's speech continues to resonate in discussions about the professional identity of social work. This historical perspective on social work's professional development serves as a point of reference for contemporary evaluations of the field's progress. The influence of Flexner's message can still be observed in the modern literature on social welfare, social work, and their professional evolution. In 2016, the Journal of Social Work Education dedicated a supplementary issue to reflect on "Social Work 100 Years Post-Flexner" and assess the field's achievements and challenges. Flexner's speech remains a significant part of the ongoing discourse on the professionalization of social work.