Reproductive Healthcare Challenge & Social Work: A Conceptual Framework for Social Work Education

Social workers provide services to populations considered vulnerable, marginalized, or in need. Despite the action-based profession's best efforts, opportunities for reproductive education remain limited in social work classrooms and continuing education. The historical overturn of Roe v. Wade, paired with an overwhelming prevalence of reproductive challenge conditions like family planning, infertility, child loss, reproductive law, and medical/mental health diagnoses within American society, solidifies the need for professional awareness and expertise within social work. A social issue directly referenced within the Social Work Grand Challenges, these topics encompass many aspects of healthcare; however, standardized education has yet to be developed. This written work will explore social constructivism and current perceptions that influence education and ethics. Literature involving reproductive health, social work instruction, and reproductive challenge issues will be reviewed to identify relevant gaps and education-focused areas of improvement. The Reproductive Justice Framework will be highlighted as the ideal option for standardized efforts in social work. Overall, the work proposes recommendations to improve education and practice engagement within the profession.