I am looking for information on how the woman's movement has affected Social Policy and/or Social Work. I can't seem to find anything specific! I am aware of the great impact women have had in this area, but if you could point me in the right direction as to specific policies/ideas I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Kelly

Thanks for your note to FEMINIST.COM. I think that you are having a hard time finding an answer to your question because in many ways you can't separate feminism from social work and social policy. In many ways they are one and the same.

However, I think the most obvious effect feminism has had on social work and social policy--is that it has turned these two areas/professions into legitimate professions/things. Historically "social" was used to denote "women" compared to policy and politics which was "male." However, overtime, social work, welfare, etc... have been recognized as what they are--a part of society--including a political society. I also think that feminism has impacted social policy by bringing new issues into the mainstream. For instance, feminism has often been a beacon light--identifying issues long before anyone else gives them the time of day--domestic violence, incest, work environment, health care, nutrition.....Once feminists identified and named these problems, they then fall under the perview of social policy. So it really is all interrelated. I hope that helps.

—Amy