Montage and the illumination of developmental thinking in welfare work

Stine Thygesen, Trine Øland

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This article illuminates and interrupts the existence of progress as an imperative haunting welfare work. The article argues that there are forces and structures of welfare work that the dominating ways of approaching history leave unexamined and that this insight calls for a more complex relationship with history. Based on Walter Benjamin’s philosophy of history, the article explores how the montage as an analytical performance can illuminate the hauntings of modern welfare work which makes us see the depth and persistence of progress. The article concludes by making it possible to think differently; to listen to and let the ghosts of development and progress pass, and to get along with the unreason and irrationality of the other. The actual montage of the article, is composed with reference to a study of welfare work with foster children.
Original languageEnglish
JournalQualitative Social Work
Volume21
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)194-213
ISSN1473-3250
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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