Framing the Client’s Agency: Generational Layers of Lived Social Work in Finland, 1940–2000

Abstract As a local official implementing social legislation, the worker of Finnish office represented society and (emerging) welfare state. I approach encounters between workers their clients as scene experience , which socio-spatial setting frames situated interaction. By combining workers’ interviews with material, indicate two contested generational layers in lived work from 1940 to 2000. The generations built on different interpretations individual–society relationship, resulted divergent expectations toward clients. nuances macro state development by indicating how experienced legacy previous policies survived institutions, framing agency