Individualization in Social Work with Family – Blaming Victims

Alena Vyslouzilova, Pavel Navratil

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the article is to (critically) reflect the modernization of social processes with regard to their possible impacts on social work with the family. THEORETICAL BASE: The article is based on the theory of modernization contained in the works of J. Keller, Z. Bauman, U. Beck and A. Giddens. METHODS: Content analysis was used of foreign texts and publications devoted to issues of individualization and social work with families. OUTCOMES: The process of individualisation affects the focus of social work with the family. Particularly important is the orientation towards the social and legal protection of children. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The described transformations of social work with families can help one to understand the shift away from social work with families, based on the perception of the family as a system tending towards a more individualistic orientation. At the same time, the article tries to point out the possible risks associated with neglecting the importance of family and community bonds.

Keywords
individualisation, social work, family, second modernity

Issue

6/2019

p. 142 – 157