ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses welfare work as a relation between a helper and the one who is helped: a giver/donor and a receiver/recipient. It is concerned with benevolence towards the allegedly weak immigrants and refugees as a social relation of measures to “make sociable” and make society: to help, relieve and support the weaker citizen, the one “in need” – economically, culturally and socially. Benevolence implements an element and a relation which professional welfare workers in a sense have dissociated themselves from in their quest to be recognised as members of professional groups throughout history. The benevolent societal form seems to be related to opposing the professionalism of academics and teachers in particular and welfare professionalism. Even though immigrants and refugees disappear as legitimate subjects in the sociation processes underpinning the societal form of benevolence, they reappear as a group with rights, but a group declasse.
