Based upon a research done with professionals of the Program for Social Inclusion (PIS), of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, during 2003-2006, the article discusses the meanings of social work, highlighting meanings of gender and work relationship and the naturalization of women's participation in the territory of social work. The research was developed under the perspective of Social Psychology, including dialogues with theories of gender and literature on social work. We present five sets of meanings assigned to this activity: social work as an aid, as an element of social change and rights promotion, as a professional category and social management, as a vote-seeking and aid-oriented strategy. The fifth set includes meanings produced within gender relationships such as: kindness as a work tool, lack of financial attachment and lack of professional skills. Although the positive aspects of this net, it also feeds a process of devaluation, invisibility and feminization of the social work.
social work; gender; social psychology; production of meanings