title: Charles Dickens, social worker in his time.
abstract: As the world marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens's birth, social workers may take note of the contributions Dickens made to 19th century social reform. Ever the advocate for people who were poor and oppressed, Dickens, in his timeless fictional narratives, continues to have relevance for contemporary social justice advocacy. This article draws on Dickens's biography and writing to highlight select lessons of relevance to social work. The focus is on developing a professional lens, changing social norms, and interpreting case studies across ecological systems.
authors.affiliation: College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. arlene.andrews@sc.edu
authors.forename: Arlene Bowers
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D004739:England; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D012924:Social Conditions / Q000266:history*; D012940:Social Problems / Q000266:history*; D012947:Social Work