This is the heart of the book. The author details the founding of the first formal School of Social Work in Mexico City (1940), heavily influenced by European and North American models. She critically examines the "medical model" of casework that dominated the era, where social workers were auxiliaries to doctors and lawyers. She highlights the shift from visita domiciliaria (home visit as surveillance) to a more diagnostic approach.
Evangelista Ramírez, Eli. Historia del trabajo social . México, D.F.: Plaza y Valdés, 2001. This is the heart of the book
. Rather than providing a simple timeline, Evangelista integrates social work into the broader socio-political and economic context of Mexico. Key highlights of this work include: Extensive Historical Scope She highlights the shift from visita domiciliaria (home
: Evangelista Ramírez emphasizes that the field's history is "complex and contradictory," as social workers often had to balance their professional ethics with the rigid social assistance policies of the government. 5. Final Reflections: A Modern Identity México, D
In conclusion, Eli Evangelista Martínez’s work is a call to professional consciousness. He posits that the history of social work is a history of power, resistance, and identity. By documenting the move from charity to professional intervention and finally to political engagement, he provides a roadmap for modern practitioners. The "fixed" or definitive nature of this history lies in its ability to ground the profession in its specific regional reality, ensuring that social work remains a dynamic force for justice rather than a static tool of administration.
era, the field received a major boost as the state took a more active role in social welfare. This period saw the rise of the social worker as a vital link between government institutions (handling law and medicine) and the domestic lives of citizens. The Reconceptualization Era: