Culture and Social Work: brief reflections on the representation of the profession in contemporary cinema
In the presented paper, we use as a basis the cultural perspective brought in the book "Cultura e Democracia," by Marilena Chauí (2009), which outlines culture as the terrain where individuals forge symbols, establish values, and shape perceptions rooted in their worldviews. In the Brazilian context, permeated by capitalism, the hegemonic culture of the bourgeoisie manipulates the media to legitimize its vision and marginalize the culture of the popular classes as "uncultured." Social workers face challenges in this scenario, as they are represented in the media punitively, opposing their ethical-political project. Two 2019 films, "The Joker" and "Marriage Story," explore this representation. Although they do not lead, social workers play essential roles, reflecting the complexity of their functions. Although fictional, these representations echo social workers' fundamental challenges, contributing to the understanding of the impact of bourgeois culture on the profession. This paper is anchored in the historical-dialectical materialism perspective, seeking to understand how social forces shape and are shaped by dominant culture. We recognize their intentionality as a reflection of bourgeois cultural hegemony and their influence on public perception of the work of social workers. Through this analysis, we aim to contextualize the profession's contemporary challenges, highlighting the need for a deep understanding of social dynamics to promote practical transformations.
Br-Portuguese paper written with Ruth Genecco Zanini and Leticia Nicolau Silva
This paper was published and presented at the "V ENCUENTRO LATINO AMERICANO DE PROFESIONALES, DOCENTES Y ESTUDIANTES DE TRABAJO SOCIAL" 2023 in Tandil - Argentina.
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