Journal Article

The Temperance Movement and Social Work

Murdach, Allison D.

2009

Overview

This article examines a forgotten episode in social work history: the involvement of the profession in the temperance movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though some notable social workers such as Jane Addams, Robert A. Woods, and Representative Jeannette Rankin (the first woman elected to the U. S. Congress), championed the temperance cause during this period, little is remembered of their efforts today. Suggestions are also drawn from this historical incident about current efforts in the profession to again deal with social justice issues on a national scale by reintroducing a more vigorous \"moral element\" into the profession's response to such problems.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press,NASW PRESS,National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Subject: 20th century / Abolition of slavery / Alcohol Abuse / Alcohol use / Alcoholic beverages / Alcoholism / Child welfare / Communities / Community Relations / Congress / Drinking / Health care policy / History of Social Work / History, 19th Century / History, 20th Century / Humans / Industrialization / Liquor industry / Living conditions / Moral aspects / Moral Values / Morality / morality in social work / Peer Groups / Political campaigns / Politics / Practice / Public health / Racial Differences / Religion / Religious aspects / Religious revivals / Slavery / Social Action / Social activism / Social aspects / Social case work / social causes / Social engagement / Social Environment / Social Justice / Social movements / Social Problems / Social reform / Social Values / Social Work / social work history / social work profession / Social Workers / Temperance / Temperance - history / Temperance movement / Temperance Movements / United States / United States History / United States of America / Welfare reform / Welfare Services