Between Integration and Reproduction Social Work as Reflected in Talcott Parsons and Karl Marx

Social work moves in the field of tension between help and domination. While Talcott Parsons describes it as a functional subsystem for the integration of individuals who deviate from the norm, Karl Marx interprets it as part of the ideological reproduction of capitalist class relations. This review systematically analyzes both social theories, transfers them to central fields of practice (SGB II, youth welfare, homeless assistance) and reflects on the ethical implications. It shows that social work is not a neutral authority, but acts at the interface of discipline and solidarity –with ambivalent effects.