The Value of Social Science

Te Ao Hou, November 1957, Page 50

The Value of Social Science Some of our Welfare Officers are products of the School of Social Science. Many of us are not and cannot claim any academic qualifications either, but the point arises as to whether these qualifications are absolutely necessary or not and if they are whether they should come before one undertakes the work of a Welfare Officer or after they have had the experience of the outside world: I am reminded of the words spoken by a German social worker, Mr A. T. Blaschke, who attended a University Refresher Course with a group of Social Workers in Wellington in 1952. He was himself a student at the Berlin Seminary of Social Workers prior to the Nazi Regime. These were his words: No one can really know just how much the other person is suffering unless he has suffered the same experience himself. No one can full understand the meaning of loneliness until he has stood alone in the world. To acquire this experience one does not need academic qualifications, and understanding does not necessarily come of a university training but academic training will be a help. The true social worker does not regard his work as a job or a profession, but as calling”. There are some who say proudly. “I am a product of the School of Hard Knocks and experience was my Master”. The school may well have taught the lesson but possibly a little of the scientific skill could have diminished the hard knocks.' The German gentleman's final analysis was very well delivered in this fashion: ‘I advocate that future social workers should undertake a course of alternate six month periods in various occupations in the field with the people with whom he intends to work—without pay…and the other six months at the University so that in the course of time will have gained experience and the acquired skill of the Social Scientist.'

Welfare officers take every opportunity to stimulate Maori arts in a practical way…some lady welfare officers give a demonstration at the league conference in Christchurch last April. (Green and Hahn Photography). To us who attended the Course at Paraparaumu the scientific approach is recognised to the full and we fully appreciate the very good people who in every way contributed the worthwhile addresses and arranged the very stimulating discussions that took place and if we in our lifetime can fully apply all that was put forward, then the success of the Course is assured. Our special thanks to Professor Minn, John McCreary, John Booth, Charles M. Bennett and Bill Herewini for the splendid manner in which they controlled proceedings and to all the other lecturers who gave of their time to address us in the very able manner that they did. In the absence of the Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr Corbett, we were honoured with the presence of the Minister of Welfare. Dame Hilda Ross, who in the short time at her disposal gave the impression that she enjoyed our company.