As transformações teórico-políticas no Serviço Social do Brasil e de Portugal entre 1974 e 1995: convergências entre percursos?

Abstract

This dissertation, written as part of the Master's Degree in Civil Services from the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF, its acronym in Portuguese), aims to analyze the transformations affecting Social Services in Brazil and Portugal, especially the politicalorganizational and theoretical-methodological stances among the workforce from 1974 until 1995, seeking to identify the convergences between these paths. In order to reach this goal, through the use of qualitative analysis of a bibliographical nature, three lines were followed. The observation of the historical processes of the countries; understanding Social Services through its historical context and its theoretical-political transformations (1974-1995); and, finally, through identifying and outlining the similarities/interactions between the profession in Brazil and in Portugal. This study used intentional sampling from the Portuguese journal Revista Intervenção Social. Created in 1985, the publication covers the Portuguese Social Services and it shows the transformations in this historical process, constituting an important research source. Thus, 12 editions were analyzed, all of them published until the end of the period of 1995, which constitutes the delimitation of this study. As for the profession in Brazil, since there is a wide range of publications with the intended stances, namely politicalorganizational and theoretical-methodological, we carried out a bibliographical review. Following the aforementioned steps, it was possible to understand how much the profession under scrutiny with this study is undergoing continuous movement and transformation facing the dynamism of social relations. The connection between Social Services in both countries within the time period selected made it possible to go beyond a mere narration of chronological facts, which enabled the understanding of social services throughout history, as well as its stances and actions when faced with contradictory social relations. Notwithstanding, the attempt to scrutinize the profession in light of this historical past, together with promoting international dialogue, paves the way for the creation of forces to reach an ideal of democracy.