Cause Is Function: Toward a Feminist Model of Integration for Social Work

The problem and the prospect for social work lie with its dual focus on individual and on societal change. The difficulty that has persisted throughout its history has been that of connecting these two levels of intervention-in theory and in practice. The feminist movement, like social work, has a dual focus, yet, unlike social work, feminists have not been characterized by sharp divisions between personal service provision and social action. Thus a feminist perspective may provide direction for social workers struggling to unite their commitments to personal and social change.