The Perception of Poverty and Social Welfare Policies among Undergraduate and Graduate Social Work Students in India

Abstract

Despite the fact that the primary mission of social work profession is to help people
who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty, numerous scholars have found
that social work students are distancing themselves from working with, and on behalf
of poor populations. Given this, this study examined 318 Indian undergraduate 1 and
graduate 2 social work students’ perceptions toward poverty and social welfare poli-
cies in India. The findings suggest that the students’ age, gender, socioeconomic and
educational status, and area of concentration impact their perceptions of poverty and
social welfare policies. Based on these findings several policy, practice and research
implications are addressed.