Welfare, professioni sociali e dimensione di genere: l'assistente sociale

The recomposition of a unitary regulation of social professionals, required by law 328/2000, has not been implemented; changes to Title V of the Constitution attributes the legislative power to the regions, except for the determination of the fundamental principles which remains the legislative competence of the State. To date, social professions that have national recognition are: a social worker, educator and social-health professional. In reference to these professionals, the social worker is the only profession that has initiated a reflection on the gender dimension. The contribution shows the gender studies that have characterized the social worker's profession in different historical periods; some significant issues raised in various studies carried out in Italy and in European countries are particularly highlighted. Furthermore, with the introduction, since the eighties, of the managerial skills in the social services, the debate on the gender dimension acquires more elements of analysis with regard to the female and male leadership models.