There's something about telling someone you're a Social Worker (or a Social Work student, in my case) that always seems to elicit the same few responses from people. If you're a Social Worker, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I've compiled a list of just a few of the reactions I've already heard over and over again (and I'm not even licensed yet!).
1. "Wow, I could never take someone's kids away!"
Yeah, neither could I. Not every social worker works for Child Protective Services. Why is it that everyone seems to believe social work equals Child Protective Services and nothing else? Social workers are all around us. They run homeless shelters, they work in schools, hospitals, courts, clinics... Basically social workers are needed everywhere, not just CPS and Social Services.
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2. "I guess you're not in it for the money, then."
Okay, first, this is just a rude statement to make to anyone, but I'll humor you! No, I'm not in it for the money. The Department of Social Work at my university made tee shirts a few years back that said "Social Work: We're not in it for the income, we're in it for the outcome.". Every time someone tells me how I won't make much money, I always refer to that quote because it is so accurate! I do not care about how much money I make. As long as I lay down in my bed at night and can think about the live's I have changed and the love I feel for my job, I do not care how much money is in my pocket. I know it's cliche, but it's true.
3. "Are you sure you can handle that job? It's going to make you so sad!"
No, I honestly do not think I will be able to handle the job sometimes. There will be times when I cannot help a client and I honestly am not sure how I will be able to handle it. In all of my classes, they teach us to not get attached and how to remain distant enough to not get hurt, but I know myself and I know that I will get attached and I will get hurt. So, no I am not sure if I can handle it, but I want to handle it. I want to learn how to handle it and I am going to. If I get a hurt a few times along the way, that's fine, because one day I will make a difference in the world and any pain this job brings me will be worth it in the end.
4. "Oh..." followed by awkward silence.
I am not sure where the stigma of being a social worker came from, but I think it's pretty obvious there is one. It seems like when I tell people my major, things always get tense. Maybe it's the misunderstanding of what a social worker actually is, or maybe it's just bad past experience, but it's a career path I love so it always surprises me when people give me that look and say "oh..." as if I just said "oh, I major in suffocating kitties!" and yes, I do get that extreme of a reaction sometimes.
5. "You seem too sweet."
Um, thanks? Is there a secret job requirement for social work that you have to be evil and rude? I think people honestly mean this in a kind way, like the job is going to "harden" me or something. Maybe over time the job will harden me, but that might be a good thing. That just means I'm distancing myself, which as I said earlier, I'm afraid I won't be able to do. Nonetheless, social workers are not all mean gremlins, I promise.
6. "That's a hard job."
... Yup. It is. I have never been one to take the easy route. I want a job that challenges me, I don't want to have a job that I can be complacent in. Thank you for the warning, but I know it's hard. I know I'll be up at ridiculous hours and I know I'll probably have a messy desk and hours of paperwork and that is OK, it's what I want.
7. "You'll never get to see your kids."
Again, rude. Yes, social work is a demanding job, but I will not let it get in the way of my (future) family. Most careers are demanding and that does not mean that you inherently will never see your kids. Just because some movie depicted a social worker never being with their kids causing such distress in the family does not mean that every social worker neglects their families. In fact, I feel like it would be quite the opposite. Every day we see what happens to families with neglectful parents, and I think that will only make me a better parent to my kids.
8. "Get ready for lots of paperwork!"
I'm a college student and an RA, believe me, I know about paperwork. Paperwork sucks but it's a part of the job and honestly, isn't it a part of most jobs? I can deal with the piles and piles of paperwork as long as at the end of the day, that paperwork is all because I helped someone. I would do all the paperwork in the world if it meant changing just one person's life.
9. "So, you're a liberal."
Bold assumption, but you are correct, though that really does not matter. I believe in helping people in need. If that is the sign that I'm a liberal, then fine, I don't want to be a conservative. Not all social workers are liberal, just like not all farmers are conservative. You just got lucky on this particular guess.
10. "Are you gonna be a therapist?"
Probably not. That's a lot of licensing and not really what I want to do. A lot of people assume that social workers are either therapists or CPS workers, when in reality social work is a huge, diverse field with so many different career opportunities.
11. "So you'll be the one handing out welfare checks..."
This particular statement is always said with an eye roll, arm cross, and angry glare. No, I won't, but if that were to be my job, I don't think that's grounds to shame me! I did not implement the law, I am not the one receiving the check, I am not the one writing the check. I would simply be the one doing my job and connecting people in need with resources. Stop blaming social workers for helping people, it's our job.
I know most of the time, people do not say these things to be rude. These are honest, in-the-moment reactions. Social workers help people; that's our job. We aren't trying to hurt anyone, or steal anyone's kids, or steal anyone's "hard-earned money", we're just connecting those in need to resources in our community. Honestly, social workers should get more praise for doing these hard, emotional, down-and-dirty, real life jobs. End the stigma and thank a social worker! We're not in it for the income, we're in it for the outcome.
