Vielfalt und Differenz in der Sozialen Arbeit

The management of diversity and difference represents a central challenge in social work. This textbook serves to assess the current discussion in this area and to further develop it. After a fundamental introduction to key terms, the categories of difference—gender, ethnic origin, disability, age, and sexual orientation—are contextualized within their historical and socio-political frameworks, and an intersectional examination of lines of difference is presented. Subsequently, fields of work, approaches, and concepts in social work that focus on these categories of difference and relevant experiential backgrounds are discussed, aiming to improve opportunities for social participation. The authors examine the scope, limitations, and criticisms of these approaches. A particular focus is placed on whether the currently debated paradigm of inclusion could be applicable and to what extent it may disrupt previous target group fixations.