پس انداز کودک و ظهور روانشناسی حرفه ای

Vocational psychology emerged at the beginning of the 20th in a context of social and political change known as the “progressive era.” A popular progressive theme was “child saving,” a movement that expressed concern for the physical, educational, emotional, and social well-being of children and adolescents. Vocational guidance was one manifestation of this and served as the foundation for the emergence first of vocational psychology and later of counseling psychology. The concern for and care of youth was gradually replaced by the professionalization of psychology that over time has changed the focus and direction of vocational psychology.

Vocational psychology emerged at the beginning of the 20th in a context of social and political change known as the “progressive era.” A popular progressive theme was “child saving,” a movement that expressed concern for the physical, educational, emotional, and social well-being of children and adolescents. Vocational guidance was one manifestation of this and served as the foundation for the emergence first of vocational psychology and later of counseling psychology. The concern for and care of youth was gradually replaced by the professionalization of psychology that over time has changed the focus and direction of vocational psychology. C  2002 Elsevier Science (USA) Key Words: vocational guidance; vocational psychology; history; child saving; progressive era. The beginning of a new millennium conjures up endless images, questions, concerns, and ruminations about the future. For professional psychologists the future of professional practice is a popular topic of discussion. Managed care, empirically validated treatments, prescription privileges, and ever-blurring boundaries of professional practice and training have crowded the house at the end of the 20th century. While it seems fitting, almost required, to look ahead it can also be instructive to look back. A retrospective look at vocational psychology is important for it helps to tell us where we are from and illuminates the impact that social forces have had on what we do, where we do it, and who is permitted to do it. This article examines the context in which vocational psychology emerged at the beginning of the 20th century and identifies the ways in which a concern for children was decisive in the growth and institutionalization of vocational psychology. As we enter the new century, the historical tradition of concern for the welfare of children has all but faded from research and practice in vocational psychology.

As can be seen there has been an ongoing cycle of proximity and distance that vocational psychology has maintained in dealing with the welfare of children, a cycle that has reverberated for a century. In conclusion, a number of points can be made and perhaps some lessons learned. Worth mention is the nature of the impulse toward guidance and counseling. It is a good one and one that expresses a concern for others, as individuals and as members of society. To promote human welfare is a pledge most vocational psychologists can make without hesitation. That vocational psychologists can trace a lineage to social activism, especially as it pertains to research, service, and advocacy on behalf of children, is something to remember. Too often the lessons of history recall failures to carry the torch for those who are too young to do it themselves. Over the past century, we have developed an impressive array of tools and techniques that can help improve adjustment and the human condition; that we work to apply these to children seems worthy and needed. Current examples of this effort include research and practice focused on the vocational aspirations of children, the influence on career development of academic achievement in elementary school, the development of work habits and attitudes, self-efficacy for mathematics and science courses, and the school-towork transition. We should seek to welcome the work of those whose efforts bring vocational psychology closer to realizing its potential as a profession that seeks to make a difference for children and their families.