Three students walking along the bridge of the pod

Research paper explores gender in the social work profession

2 July 2024

Research led by Dr David Galley, Course Leader Social Work at Solent University, Southampton, addresses the sparsity of male practitioners in the female majority profession and argues for an increased range of gender balance, to be more representative of the communities it serves.

New research identifies the barriers for males qualifying as social workers and determines action to attain increasing gender balance in the profession.

Recommendations on the recruitment of males to social work include focusing on where they might be drawn from and more career guidance in secondary and further education.

The paper suggests the status of a social worker plays a role in the number of males in the profession and makes recommendations in raising its status.

Published by the British Journal of Social Work, 'Male social work students: common dispositions, motivations, experiences and barriers impacting their career choice' offers new insights into the gender balance of social workers in the UK.

Dr Galley worked with male social work students by utilising surveys, field observations, semi-structured interviews and the Bem sex role inventory test – which is used to measure an individual’s femininity and masculinity – to understand both what draws and repels males from the profession.

In June 2024, Dr Galley gave an address on the study at the Joint Universities Social Work Association Conference 2024, held at Kingston University, London. His talk focused on one of the conference’s key themes: building relationships and networks that support social solidarity and global connectedness.

On his study, David says: "This research adds to and re-ignites the discussion on social work as an occupation which is predominantly taken up by professionals who identify as female.

“As a sector which purports to champion diversity and equality, this paper suggests it looks within its own ranks to exemplify these ideals. For the first time, this research locates sources of potential candidates for social work in terms of their gender, while addressing perceptions of ‘low status’ within the profession".

Dr Galley’s research highlights the capital participants feel they hold due to their gender and the patriarchal dividend, while the study’s findings themselves suggest otherwise. Furthermore, the paper outlines that social attitudes concerning ‘appropriate’ gender roles serve as a barrier to males entering the profession:

“It’s important to note that the subtle bias against men in this field is a reflexive reaction stemming from a perception of social work as inherently gendered.”

In response, Dr Galley suggests there are opportunities for the profession to evolve; introducing social work at an earlier age, to all genders, and promoting the vocation as a viable career for anyone, as well as targeting recruitment activities at previously undefined groups. Additionally, study participants suggested a ‘re-style’ of the profession is needed, with a job title that reflects the status of such an important role.