Abstract: Social work is a multi-dimensional and contradictory field of practice,
which often leads to theoretical confusion. Another tendency within social work today
is the development of an evidence-based practice. This kind of social engineering,
together with the theoretical confusion, might lead to the reproduction and
strengthening of dominant discourses and perspectives. Pointing out the need for
critical theory to transgress and resist hegemonic practices, the article aims to
present ideas on how to theoretically position social work practice within a
framework of critical theory. The question is how to combine an ambition to develop
suitable methods and to anchor social work in a sound social-scientific context with
critical theories concerning, for instance, gender, ethnicity, and class. It is suggested
that a movement towards a more deconstructive and reflexive mode of thinking and
practicing social work, ‘doing social work’, would enable the field to become more
ethical and reflexive.
Keywords: Critical theory, doing gender, evidence, reflexivity