The Relationship of Social Pedagogy and Social Work

Abstract

The article analyses the development of the relationship between social work and social pedagogy at the end of the 20th century in the Czech Republic and compares this relationship to the one in neighbouring countries (Germany, England, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Russia, Lithuania). The article further deals with various concepts of this relationship (including identification, differentiation, and convergent principle). It also compares the paradigms of social pedagogy and social work (autonomy, similarities and differences mainly in epistemological terms). Series of paradigms appear in both social work and social pedagogy during their development. A prevailing tendency towards the multi-paradigmatism can be seen. Furthermore, the article discusses the differences in professional aspirations within both fields and the number of job opportunities for the fields graduates. A conclusion of the article is dedicated to the professional career within social pedagogy and social work regarding the real life situation in both fields.

Keywords: social pedagogy, social work, development of paradigms, pedagogization, social education