Ethics and Values of Social work
Ethics is the main section of philosophy dealing with proper conducts and good living in any given society, where as values are the significant or valued actions that a given society or organization perceive them to be (Adshead, & Brown, 2003, pp 7). With this, different groups of people tend to come up with their own code of ethics of which guides then in their activities. In the social work association, they managed to come up with the NASW Code of Ethics of which stipulates all the ethics and values that each of the member has to ensure that he or she abides by them.
The paper will try and analyze the NASW code of ethics and discuss on the ways in which the codes relates to the human diversity and worth or dignity of individuals at the social work. In relation to that, it will try to come up with the ways in which these ethics and values to different individuals of who differs in term of their race, ethnicity, national originality, religion, social class sexual orientation and physical or mental ability.
2. 0 Literature Review In the stipulation of the codes of ethics, the NASW had a purpose of which they were looking forward to achieve.
Other than the six purposes of the codes, the NASW was also looking forward to bring the social workers together in regardless of their professional operations in the society. With this, the paper is entitled to look at the ways in which the codes of ethics have been able to relate to the human diversity and worth or dignity of individuals at the social work, and to come up with the ways in which these ethics and values to different individuals of who differs in term of their race, ethnicity, national originality, religion, social class sexual orientation and physical or mental ability.
To ensure that all these are covered, the paper will be divided into sections in which each of the section will be giving a detailed discussion of the topic. 2. 1 Ethics and values related to human diversity and the worth and dignity of persons Human diversity is the state in which people with different cultures and conditions come together for the purpose to fulfill their aim. This normally occurs in the area which required a large group of individuals. In social work, there are many people to who originates from different area and denominations and thus, the code of ethics were stipulated to be able to bring the people together.
Human dignity or worth is honor that one has to be respected by the rest of the people in an association. In the NASW codes of ethics, the diversity and dignity of an individual has been observed keenly. This is justified in the Ethical principles the third point of which its value states, dignity and worth of an individual (Franklin, Harris, & Allen-Meares, (2006, pp 922). With this value, the ethics behind it requires the social worker to be able to respect the inherent dignity and worth of the individual of who they are working with in the association.
It urges one to care and conduct each other with love, considering the differences of the people and ethnic diversity at the association. They have to ensure that they are responsible of their client happiness at the workplace and that their needs are met according to their desire. They are also to determine differences that arise in their customers’ interest and the society as a whole. In the ethical standards of the NASW codes, the ethic number 2 of social workers’ ethical responsibilities to colleagues, value number 2.
01 of respect explains the reasons as to why each of the members have to show dignity to one another (Gorlin, 1999, pp530). 2. 2 Discussion on the Ethics and Values According to the above stated ethics and values from the NASW codes of ethics, it is clear that the association is keen on the dignity of every individual associating with them. Basing on the section (b) of 2. 01 the code clearly stipulates the ways in which the social workers have to deal with their customers at their respective workplaces in the country. This provides them with the mode of conducts in dealing with their relevant clients.
In the section (c) of the same values, the code looks at the ways in which the member can be able to work together regardless of their level of professionalism to ensure that they meet the expectations of a client at their centre. With this, we can then say that the NASW is keen in ensuring that the every individual of whom they carry out their business with whether directly or indirectly have to be shown his or her respect regardless of his status, nationality, race or any barriers that may lead to disrespect at the workplace.
2. 3 Application of the Ethics and Values In this section of the paper, it will tend to relate the ethics and values in the NASW codes to various barriers that may influence disrespect at the workplace at any given time. 2. 3. 1 Race This is the group of people with the same heritable characteristics; it can also be referred to as the tribe of an individual. Commonly, the term is used to differentiate people by the visible qualities such as the complexion, self identification and the texture of the hair.
In today society, people are treated differently as regard to their race, according to the values and ethic stated before, one will tend to assume this aspect of race, in such away that one will not be to look at the identification fan individual to determine the way in which he or she will serve the client but rather, concentrate on the need of the individual and how he can assist him to meet the client’s desires. 2. 3. 2 Ethnicity Ethnicity is almost of the same meaning as race, but in this case the individual is in most cases identified by the language in which they use.
To be able to apply the codes correctly as a social work, one has to decide on one or two language in which he will be using to communicate to the clients coming at the centre (Reamer, 2006). This will discourage individuals who need more care than others, as one won’t be able to realize your ethnicity. 2. 3. 3 National Origin This is the home country of the client or the worker. To be able to maintain and apply the codes of ethics above, one has not to inquire by any chase the origin of an individual.
This tends to let some of the people feel like that are discriminated in a foreign country. None the less try as much as possible to treat all people equal as if they all descend from one county. 2. 3. 4 Social Class This is the level of lifestyle of an individual in the society. To be able to attend to client in such a way that they do not feel that they discriminated, one has to think of a strategy that will cater for both the rich and the poor in the community and that of who need special attention, they have to pay for the services dearly.
This will only encourage the togetherness of the people as they will feel that they all get the same services regardless of ones status at the society. 2. 3. 5 Religion This is the faith in which one believes in. it is sometimes very crucial in dealing with other issues. For this case, it will be better if there be a representative for each religion at the centre of who will be familiar with their code of conducts at the religion (Dickson, 1998, pp 71).
This tend to let the people visiting the place know that the centre of social work respects their regions as well, and thus making them feel free and honored at the centre. 2. 3. 6 Physical or Mental Ability To ensure that the clients feel the honor at the centre, the centre has to be able to provide the disabled people with special attention. This will let them feel the honor that they are given while at the station. 2. 3. 7 Sexual Orientation This is the gender characteristic of an individual. The clients together with the members of the association have to be encouraged to feel free with one another at the centre.
Conclusion In finale, the NASW codes of ethics have tried their best to ensure that they serve their customer with no discrimination of oneself in one way or another. To facilitate this, they have been able to tackle all the aspects that bring in discrimination at the workplaces.
Reference
Adshead, G. & Brown, C. (2003) Ethical issues in Forensic Mental Health Research pp 7 Jessica Kingsler Publishers Dickson, D. T. (1998) Confidentiality and Privacy in Social Work A Guide to the Law for Practitioners and Students pp 71 Free Press
Reamer, F. G. (2006) Social Work Values and Ethics pp 45 3rd Ed Columbia University Press Reamer, F. G. (2006) Ethical Standards in Social Work: A Review of the NASW Code of Ethics 2nd Ed University of Michigan NASW Press Franklin, C. , Harris, M. B. & Allen-Meares, P. (2006): The School Services Sourcebook: A Guide for School-Based Professionals pp 922 United States Oxford University Press Gorlin, R. A. (1999) Codes of Professional Responsibility: Ethics Standards in Business, Health, and Law pp 530 4th Ed BNA Books
