I read that social work practice involves functioning as a social control agent, but how could that be possible?

You are welcome.

Make sense. Thanks a lot!

In my understanding, social control, in this context, refers to interventions and actions intended to shape individuals’ behaviors to comply with conventional societal behaviors. These interventions and actions are provided by society as a whole or by specific occupations and professions. Because of the profession’s values, social workers may reject attempts to constrain an individual’s ability to make choices or support their ability to maintain nonconventional societal behaviors, even though they would agree that individuals should obey laws.

Criminal justice agencies perform functions requiring their practitioners to exert social control. For example, police officers maintain social order by limiting behavior that violates laws. Courts impose sanctions on those who violate laws, and probation and parole officers monitor the behavior of individuals to ensure they are law-abiding and comply with sanctions. To function effectively in criminal justice and human service settings, social workers must resolve the issue of social control. At the same time as resolving these issues, social workers must thoroughly understand the mission, goals, and objectives of the particular criminal justice setting/agency in which they are employed. Whether or not social workers perceive themselves as an agent of social control, individuals with criminal justice involvement may perceive the social worker as an agent of social control. This is particularly so among individuals mandated to participate in services because of a court order or other sanctions.