The African-Centred Worldview: Developing a Paradigm for Social Work

This article raises concerns about the ethnocentric nature of existing paradigms within the social sciences that form the basis for social work theory and practice with black families and children. In addition, it highlights the theoretical deficits within existing social work models that do not reflect the worldviews of diverse communities in British society. Can existing social work models continue to express ethnocentric value systems as the universal way to explain human behaviour in the light of growing demands for pluralism not only between groups but also between epistemologies and worldviews? The author argues for an alternative paradigm that is grounded in the cultural and historical reality of the black experience. A broad base of information and discussion of the African-centred worldview and the development of African-centred perspectives in social work is explored. African-centred perspectives in social work challenge the profession to express its core principles of equality, social justice and self-determination in embracing alternative worldviews and paradigms as legitimate and valid bases for social work theory and practice.