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The New Structural Social Work: Ideology, Theory, Practice
The New Structural Social Work reveals the shortcomings of conventional social work, which accepts and participates in the present social order rather than addressing the systemic social problems that exist within capitalist societies. Mullaly advocates for a progressive view of social work
that is practiced within the social agency, outside of the agency, and within the personal lives of structural social workers.
that is practiced within the social agency, outside of the agency, and within the personal lives of structural social workers.
408 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 27, 2025
This was extremely captivating, considering it’s a textbook! This might be the only textbook I have ever read cover to cover.
Mullaly and Dupré are not shy about having an agenda (moving social work toward building a socialist society), but they still present a wide range of ideologies fairly well. Professors and classrooms often ~talk~ about different ideologies, but they don't always take the time to make sure everyone is actually on the same page about what each one means. It was refreshing to have so many ideologies laid out so clearly and digestibly.
While I don’t agree with 100% of Mullaly and Dupré’s arguments, they were very well made, and I do agree with most of them. I also really appreciate the way the book is structured, as well as the many practical suggestions it gives for implementing these ideas, both in micro and macro practice. I will definitely be referring back to this throughout my career.
Mullaly and Dupré are not shy about having an agenda (moving social work toward building a socialist society), but they still present a wide range of ideologies fairly well. Professors and classrooms often ~talk~ about different ideologies, but they don't always take the time to make sure everyone is actually on the same page about what each one means. It was refreshing to have so many ideologies laid out so clearly and digestibly.
While I don’t agree with 100% of Mullaly and Dupré’s arguments, they were very well made, and I do agree with most of them. I also really appreciate the way the book is structured, as well as the many practical suggestions it gives for implementing these ideas, both in micro and macro practice. I will definitely be referring back to this throughout my career.
September 5, 2015
Just delightful! I've had to read a lot of dreadful material in my first semester of social work school. I've seen too much material saturated in a pathetic bourgeois liberalism without any critical breadth or depth. Mullaly pulls it through, with a wonderful introduction to left social work theory, Marxism and other assorted social ideologies, and radical Social Democratic solutions. Go Bob! I'm impressed. I think it's just about the most charming thing I have ever read on socialism (not saying much, I know) and beats out any social work student's syllabi around.
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September 24, 2020Hello, i have read the book many years ago and what it has done for me is put me in a frame of mind for an Indigenous Ideology and how to begin this process. It had opened a perspective that is much needed for new structural social workers and anyone wanting to know Indigenous epistemology.
It is a sensitive subject and needs more information to guide western education and instructors to add to their curriculum.
It can add texture and vibrance to the aboriginal culture and include it instead exclude the possibility to ensure indigenous epistemology is well versed and comprehensive with some grit and integrity for future negotiations and misunderstood motives. To connect indigenous values, principles, traditions and wholistic health factors to the already large world of education and training. These would answer some of the gnawing questions that differentiate indigenous peoples and other cultures that may or may not understand that culture is important in any language or societal function.
Howard Taylor
It is a sensitive subject and needs more information to guide western education and instructors to add to their curriculum.
It can add texture and vibrance to the aboriginal culture and include it instead exclude the possibility to ensure indigenous epistemology is well versed and comprehensive with some grit and integrity for future negotiations and misunderstood motives. To connect indigenous values, principles, traditions and wholistic health factors to the already large world of education and training. These would answer some of the gnawing questions that differentiate indigenous peoples and other cultures that may or may not understand that culture is important in any language or societal function.
Howard Taylor
January 23, 2019
It's a very informative textbook. Based mostly on the Canadian social work/social welfare system. Super informative...very dry
September 13, 2011
by Lesliemichelle(last edited 0 minutes ago)
17 minutes ago
A more concretely-defined vision of what a major theoretical paradigm shift more commensurate with the values of social work (e.g., Radical Humanism) would look like--theoretical framework, policy analyses, & practice techniques--than most other texts. "Mullaly" is a new standard in the field: a refreshing vision for the unregulated-capitalism & globalization weary social worker, markedly well received, & of immediate policy & practice value at multiple system levels.
17 minutes ago
A more concretely-defined vision of what a major theoretical paradigm shift more commensurate with the values of social work (e.g., Radical Humanism) would look like--theoretical framework, policy analyses, & practice techniques--than most other texts. "Mullaly" is a new standard in the field: a refreshing vision for the unregulated-capitalism & globalization weary social worker, markedly well received, & of immediate policy & practice value at multiple system levels.
July 11, 2015
This book offered good general knowledge of systems, structures, and paradigms and all those other fancy social work buzzwords. However, for a book about Canadian social welfare, it had very little to say about how these things affect First Nations people. Luckily the instructor of my course added his own module on it, but Mullaly certainly could have done better.
One final criticism is that often concepts are presented in convoluted ways; I found it could have used some editing to pare it down a bit to avoid repetition.
One final criticism is that often concepts are presented in convoluted ways; I found it could have used some editing to pare it down a bit to avoid repetition.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews