@article { , title = {Blaming-the-poor: strengths and development discourses which obfuscate neo-liberal and individualist ideologies.}, abstract = {Critical interrogation of social work texts reveals ideologies contributing to hegemonic 'taken-for-granted' knowledge that maintains oppressive power relations. In the South African context of ongoing inequality after the 1994 democratic transition, neo-liberal ideologies have structured and constrained social work knowledge and practice constitutive of social change. Similarly, conservative neo-liberal ideologies underpinning social work knowledge and discourse act performatively to shape practice and social realities. This article, based on a section of the author's PhD study, examines one of the thematic ideological trends found in post-1994 social work texts on poverty and social development, which reflect neo-liberal, individualist ideologies of 'blaming-the-poor' and personal culpability for poverty. A selection of three texts is discussed, illustrating processes and modes of operation of these ideologies in the various approaches proposed.}, doi = {10.1177/0020872815594218}, eissn = {1461-7234}, issn = {0020-8728}, issue = {2}, journal = {International social work}, note = {COMPLETED -- Requested doc from contact 20/4/2017 LM -- Info via WoS 13/4/2017 LM ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Harms Smith, Linda -- Panel A}, pages = {336-350}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {SAGE Publications}, url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2286}, volume = {60}, keyword = {Blaming the poor, Development, Ideology, Individualist, Neoliberalism, Social work, Strengths perspectives}, year = {2017}, author = {Harms Smith, Linda} }