The Forms of Socialization Within Associations of Local Social Services: The “Conviviality” in Question

This article questions the political potential of associations of local social services, starting from an analysis of the forms of socialization, following the meaning given to this category by Simmel, Mead, and their posterity in Goffman’s sociology. It is based on an ethnography carried out in three local associations of the Belgian Red Cross. It shows the obstacles to “conviviality” and to the emergence of politics in these associations.

When Douby looked for a home: ‘standing by’ within the establishment

This is the first chapter of Part Four of the book, which is titled “Solidarity”. Solidarity is an ethical principle that dictates the positioning of the social worker vis-à-vis service users. The chapter tells the story of a woman who was evicted from the apartment that she had occupied for 12 years and the struggle of her social worker to change the eviction order. The chapter addresses the tension between practice based on solidarity and mainstream social work practice in local social services.

Foreign Immigrants in Depopulated Rural Areas: Local Social Services and the Construction of Welcoming Communities

Many rural areas in Spain suffer an acute problem of depopulation. In recent years the arrival of foreign immigrant workers has contributed to alleviating the situation. The social services in rural areas play a fundamental role in the reception of these new residents, and in attending to their needs. These immigrants find themselves in a very vulnerable situation. Added to the needs of any family group with very limited resources are the terms of being a foreigner in an environment in which the coethnic support networks are very scarce. The capacity of both rural councils and local social services to promote the social integration of the immigrants is very limited due to the lack of resources, and to the difficulties associated with the provision of social services in depopulated rural areas. Through in-depth interviews, carried out in a mountainous depopulated region in northern Spain, we analyse the discourses of mayors, social workers and members of civil organizations. The conclusions suggest that the construction of welcoming communities requires reinforcing the community dimension of social work in rural areas, and from an ecological perspective that enhances social participation and coordination among the social actors. Specifically directed initiatives are needed by means of cooperation among the different levels of government and between public and private actors.