Last Updated on July 18, 2024 by Muzammil Ijaz
The historical development of group work was very distinct and unique process differing markedly from the emerging work with groups in other professions, such as psychology and psychiatry. An appreciation of the evolution of work with this system, which later officially became a part of social work, gives perspective in regard to the potential breadth of client population and problems for which the group can be utilized.
The industrial revolution began in the United States in the mid-1800s and resulted in major social changes. In addition, there were shifts of large populations from rural to urban areas and immigration from Europe, Mexico and Asia. This led to the new social problems for the individual and for the broader society. During this industrial revolution different association and organizations were organized to address the problems resisted in the society. The associations like Young Men’s Christian Association, Boy’s Clubs of America, Settlement house, Hull house, etc. were organized to alleviate the problems of society related to economic, health, and offering the spiritual and social support as well as education support. The development of different association and organizations during the industrial revolution played a vital role for the development of social group work.
The methods prevalent become more ineffective along with the complexity of social problems. Specialization also developed in the field of their solution. Thus, specialized agencies came into existence.
In the beginning
Social group work was mainly carved out by religious organization. The motive behind this religious organization was to motivate people for attending the church and religious function to teach them about the truth and the values of the religious understanding. Out of this innovatory forms of working emerged and were fertilized by the developments in other fields like institutions, hospitals, child guidance and parental support, schools etc. Generally, these processes were developed into modern times. The social group work begins with its own unique theories and histories.
After 1st World War
The period following the First World War was one in which social case work was used predominantly by charity organizations and societies. In U.S.A, there emerged a large number of voluntary organizations where group behaviors were focused. Many thinkers like; Mark stare (1937) emphasize the concept of group work such as “learning by doing”.
Group work curriculum in West
The beginning of social group work in social work curriculum was made by “Clara Kaiser” who offered the first course as a part of social work. In 1920s group work got a lot of input from different subjects like education, psychology, sociology, social work etc. The first course of group work was given in the “School of Applied Social Science of Western Research University in 1930”. In 1936,
American Association for study of group work was formed to classify the concept of group work.
Second World War and Group work
After the Second World War there were lots of problems all over the world. This brought group workers and case worker together. Professionals started to experiment with group work in therapeutic intervention. Different volunteer groups were involved to help the people.
Grace Longwell Coyle (1892-1962)
The chairperson of new group work process established section of social group work. The national conference of social work begins to clarify that group work was a method within social work. In 1940s with the effort of Grace Longwell Coyle, Kaiser, Wilder, Newstetter, G. Wilson and Helen U Phillips, a group work in west was fully begun to be taught. In many schools of U.S.A by 1950, most school started course of social work. In 1960s, Ruth E. Smalley’s book “Theory for social work practice” played important role in group work.
Development of Group work in India
Group work as a method of social work came to India in 1936 with the introduction of professional social work education after the establishment of first school of social work “The Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social work” in Mumbai. This was followed by the establishment of the 2nd school of social work in Delhi which had teaching the group work as a part or curriculum. The third school came up in Baroda with a strong trend of group work practice. The development of group work in India is not as good as western countries but social group workers and group work is growing day by day.
Development of Group work in Nepal
The development of social group work in India also influences group work practice in Nepal. Social group work in Nepal can be traced back through many forms of voluntary work by religious and cultural institutions such as guthi (clan based association), dharmashala (free residences for the poor) and patipauwa (public resting place) in Nepal. Nowadays group work process is used in various fields like health, education, entertainment and psychology etc. to solve various problems in group. This group work is frequently used in education to present their view and to generate leadership quality.
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