Certain Change: Social Work Practice in the Future.

This exploration of the future of social work has much to say for anyone concerned with social issues, such as aging and the elderly, families, children, and the workplace.

Social scientist David Macarov of Jerusalem's Hebrew University first looks at futures studies, emphasizing the

Macarov also explores such trends as the demographic change toward larger elderly populations, fewer traditional-family households, and more women entering the work force.

The aged and the very elderly will not only require longer-lasting health care, but will also put pressure on their spouses and children, traditionally their primary caregivers, says Macarov. Social workers will be needed to help not only the aged but also their families and other caregivers. There will be more cases of the chronically ill, as well as many more cases of impoverished elderly whose planned sources of financial support dried up too soon.

Technological developments will lead to chronic and permanent unemployment, according to the author. He argues that, as the amount of technology that enters the production of goods and services increases, the amount of human input will continue to decrease, inevitably leading to fewer jobs.