Why Don't Social Workers Make Better Child Welfare Workers Than Non–Social Workers?

This invited response contends that Dr. Perry's main findings are really not that surprising nor should they be. It argues that he should have asked a different question rather than the one posed in his title. The reasons offered for social workers not differing from non–social workers in their respective performance of tasks at Florida's Department of Children and Families are the relative sameness in baccalaureate education at their foundation years, personality characteristics of those who enter helping professions in general, and the pervasive organizational culture in which they work. The response argues for an understanding of the sameness rather than an apology for the nondifference.