...Social Justice (SJ): Social Justice is a “quarterly peer-reviewed educational journal, which seeks to inform theory and praxis on issues of equality and justice” (SJ, 2017). SJ was founded in 1974, and is a prime example of the expansion of the areas of study which fall within the broad discipline of Justice Studies, its tagline is simply, “a journal of crime, conflict & world order” (SJ, 2017). As mentioned in the MAPS1 assignment, Justice Studies has engulfed the sub fields of Criminal, Environmental, Political, and Social Justice, and the history of SJ clearly articulates this trend, Its early focus on issues of crime, police repression, social control, and the penal system has expanded to encompass human and civil rights, citizenship and...
Words: 481 - Pages: 2
...Peter Kimani Kamau: AF2344 California State University East Bay University MBA: 6215 Business Government and Society Abstract The focus of this final project is the Department of Immigration Services of Kenya (DISK). It is a department under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government; responsible for registering and maintaining of an all-encompassing population register, managing migration of people, control of borders and supervising the welfare of refugees in Kenya. DISK is responsible for facilitating international travel and regulating citizenship, residency, entry and exit in Kenya. This paper describes the history and set up of DISK and highlights corruption and unethical practices that subsists within the department, consequently presenting a threat to social justice and economic development in Kenya. The paper introduces the findings of an examination on systems, policies, procedures and practices that promote corrupt practices at the DISK, conducted by Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), an agency mandated by the Government of Kenya (GOK) to ensure that public resources in Kenya are managed through prudent and transparent systems. The paper also draws comparisons between corrupt and unethical practices as viewed by local Kenyans Vis-a Vis the views of corruption in the eyes of Western countries. We have also compared Kenyan corruption index against other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and developed countries...
Words: 4024 - Pages: 17
...Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers Approved by the 1996 NASW Delegate Assembly and revised by the 2008 NASW Delegate Assembly The 2008 NASW Delegate Assembly approved the following revisions to the NASW Code of Ethics: 1.05 Cultural Competence and Social Diversity (c) Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical disability. 2.01 Respect (a) Social workers should treat colleagues with respect and should represent accurately and fairly the qualifications, views, and obligations of colleagues. (b) Social workers should avoid unwarranted negative criticism of colleagues in communications with clients or with other professionals. Unwarranted negative criticism may include demeaning comments that refer to colleagues’ level of competence or to individuals’ attributes such as race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical disability. 4.02 Discrimination Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender...
Words: 8519 - Pages: 35
...Social workers work with different types of clients i.e. individuals, families, groups and communities, promoting social changes and social inclusion, empowering clients and helping them taking control over their lives. They base their job on principles of Human rights, social justice following the Code of Practice, Ethics and Values of social work. This includes multiple tasks of investigating and assessing the needs and circumstances of clients, providing services according to individual needs, engaging in problem solving and preventing harmful situations. Social workers organise protection plans, provide reports for other professionals and contribute for multi-agency work, organise advocacy enabling clients to voice their opinions and needs...
Words: 284 - Pages: 2
...Social work is the work that is done by trained people with the goal of improving the conditions of others who are in need. The trained personnel strive to accomplish social change and development among people who are experiencing major issues. The main goals of their profession are to improve the quality of life, family, neighborhood, and even community. Any social worker chooses this profession out of a sense to improve the world and help their clients through the harder times of their lives. Social workers go through a long process of schooling and experience that makes them an official social worker. They work in multiple different settings at full time during all times of the week. On top of the struggles they deal with, social workers...
Words: 814 - Pages: 4
...aimed to getting people to do what they believe to be right, but rather with helping them to decide what is right.” This quote was in weeks two powerpoint, I agree 100% and think about this quote everyday at work. As a social worker I believe your able to change something about that person in all ways necessary, like the quote saids they believe to be right, but rather helping them to decide whats is right for the client. During the path of this course I have understood the importance of being a professional social worker. The ethical dilemmas social workers come across and have to make. I work around women all day, so in my opinion everyone has their own ethical and personal values towards different aspects of ethical problems they may have in life and how the client chooses to do so. For example, I had a client last month that walked in to our office for the first time with her boyfriend. She was 16 years old and pregnant about 10-12 weeks and wanted to enroll into the program for her pregnancy. During the enrollment period she states “Im to young, I want to have an abortion plus my parents do not know I am pregnant and they can not know, what do I to.” When she ask me what should she do, normal answer to all people they would say keep the baby. However, as a social worker you have to learn to put your own personal values aside even though you do not agree with abortion. In my opinion you wanted to have sex with out protection and in result to your actions you ended up pregnant...
Words: 1880 - Pages: 8
...Does American Social Work Have a Progressive Tradition? Allison D. Murdach Social work authors in the 1950s claimed progressivism as a unique social work "tradition" and set of values, and this historical interpretation has influenced many versions ofsocial work history since that time.Today, other voices in the profession claim various divergent traditions for social work and note that the progressive tradition has waned in the profession. Given these uncertainties, the question of whether social work has or still possesses a progressive tradition is once again revisited, and the current relationship between social work and progressivism is evaluated. KEY WORDS: professional identity;progressivism; social work practice; social work traditions; social work values T he field ofsocial work has long been identified with a focus on poverty, tbe welfare of children and families, unemployment, discrimination, and social justice. Tbese areas are also among the constant concerns of progressivism, a political movement stemming from the early 20th century that, at various times, has dominated tbe political process in tbe United States during the past 100 years. Given the similarity ofthe concerns of social work and progressivism, it has been argued that because social work from its earliest days adopted a "tradition" of humanitarian social reform—called the "American tradition" by Cohen (1958)—tbe profession has essentially become identical with progressivism in all major respects...
Words: 5687 - Pages: 23
...Social Work Pioneer Biography Judy Hawkins University of Southern Mississippi Abstract This biography explores the life of social worker pioneer Jane Addams. Jane Addams accomplishments continue today to provide a platform of discussion of issues both past and present and continue to have a significant impact on the social work field of practice today. She chose to dedicate her life to helping the under privileged by being a selfless giver to the poor, be an advocate for women’s rights, and wanted to change laws that may put an end to poverty. Social Work Pioneers Introduction of Pioneer According to Allen (1973), Laura Jane Addams was born in September 6, 1860, in Cedarville, Illinois and died in May 21, 1935. During her life span, Jane grew up during the Civil War and the development of significant innovations such as the origin of species. She experienced a good life since she came from a family of a famous politician and a mill owner named John Addams. Jane’s mother died when in hospital as she delivered her ninth child, living Jane a two year old and others in the care of their father. At an early age of four, Jane developed a disease of tuberculosis of the spine that caused a curving on her back and contributed to health problems during her lifetime. Jane became close to her father emotionally and intellectually. Although John Addams was...
Words: 1824 - Pages: 8
...9 chapter current controversies and issues Introduction The Clash of Values in Social Policies Welfare Euthanasia Government: How Much Support for the Needy? Target Populations: The Struggle for Support The AIDS Epidemic The Homeless Welfare Recipients Professionalism in the Human Services The Role of Human Services Workers Whom Do Human Services Workers Serve? A Basic Reading and Thinking Skill Ranking American Values References 324 Human Services in Contemporary America - © Cengage Learning c u r r e n t c o n t r ov e r s i e s a n d i s s u e s 325 INTRODUCTION You may have gathered by now that the human services field is quite complex. Complete agreement regarding philosophies, methods, goals, services, funding, or anything else just does not exist nor, from our point of view, should it. There are times when controversies and differences are stimulating, healthy, and valid and lead to creative solutions. At other times, they are repetitious, meaningless, and destructive. Too frequently they consume time, energy, and resources that might better be used providing needed services. To this end, we highly recommend that students become familiar with the books in the Opposing Viewpoints series, published by the Greenhaven Press, that deal with issues of concern to human services workers. The purpose of this chapter is to present a sampling of basic controversies and issues in the field of human services that have not yet been resolved and may never be resolved...
Words: 8154 - Pages: 33
...professional conduct of social workers. This Code includes four sections. The first Section, "Preamble," summarizes the social work profession's mission and core values. The second section, "Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics," provides an overview of the Code's main functions and a brief guide for dealing with ethical issues or dilemmas in social work practice. The third section, "Ethical Principles," presents broad ethical principles based on social work's core values that inform social work practice. The final section, "Ethical Standards," includes specific ethical standards to guide social workers' conduct, and to provide a basis for adjudication. The Code identifies core values on which social work's mission is based, summarizes ethical principles that reflect the profession's core values, establishes a set of specific ethical standards that guide social work practice, and provides the basis on which the public can hold a practitioner accountable. Here I will provide a summary of principles. Social worker's primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers challenge social injustice. Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person. Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships. Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner. Social workers practice within their areas of competence, and develop and enhance their professional expertise. Ethical standards are articulated under social workers' ethical responsibilities...
Words: 256 - Pages: 2
...may all have differing perceptionsof families with same-sex caregivers; some view this as strength whereas otherswill see membership of a minority group as a risk. Family members themselvesmay negatively discriminate on the basis of sexuality. Prior awareness of thepossibility of conflicting opinions will enable the worker to reactthoughtfully and mediate effectively. The social worker should criticallyevaluate their own practice continuously, checking for assumptions,stereotyping and cultural bias. Preparation for the assessment should beginwith ensuring an appropriate social worker is allocated. The team managershould consider the field workers knowledge and understanding of the issuespertaining to this particular family (for example youth offending,discrimination/oppression based on sexuality/gender, attachment issues etc), aswell as ensuring the worker is an appropriate match in terms of race and gender. Once a suitable worker is allocated thecase, he/she will need to refer to all information gathered previously. Thiswill prevent the family repeating sensitive information again, and will enablethe social worker to identify gaps in information that need to be filled duringthe assessment. Assessments and subsequent care plans aremore effective if the child and family feel empowered and involved throughoutthe process (Department for Education and Skills, 2001). Indeed this is a dutyof any professional working with children as outlined in Article 12 of theUnited Nations...
Words: 1713 - Pages: 7
...A general definition of social justice is hard to arrive at and even harder to implement. In essence, social justice is concerned with equal justice, not just in the courts, but in all aspects of society. This concept demands that people have equal rights and opportunities; everyone, from the poorest person on the margins of society to the wealthiest deserves an even playing field. Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being.The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by the Jesuit Luigi Taparelli in 1840 based on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas and given further exposure in 1848 by Antonio Rosmini-Serbati. The idea was elaborated by the moral theologian John A. Ryan, who initiated the concept of a living wage. Father Coughlin also used the term in his publications in the 1930s and the 1940s. It is a part of Catholic social teaching, Social Gospel from Episcopalians and is one of the Four Pillars of the Green Party upheld by green parties worldwide. Social justice as a secular concept, distinct from religious teachings, emerged mainly in the late twentieth century, influenced primarily by philosopher John Rawls. Some tenets of social justice have been adopted by those on the left of the political spectrum. Social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and...
Words: 1355 - Pages: 6
...Relational Cultural Theory: What is it? Relational cultural theory derives from an area of psychology that focuses on individuals interacting with others through relationships. Relational cultural theory shows how relationships have power and can change individuals. Relational cultural theory was derived from the work of Jean Baker Miller. RCT challenges the traditional psychology conceptions of self, autonomy, independence, individuation and competition (Miller). “The central tenet of RCT is that people develop through and toward relationship, which occurs within and is influenced by a cultural context. Above all, RCT asserts that people need to be in connection in order to change, to open up, to shift, to transform, to heal, and to grow” (Jordan 3). It is disconnection that causes psychological problems. Core Values of RCT Some of the core relational cultural theory and assumptions of growth dealing with psychological and relational development include the idea that: * People grow through and toward relationship throughout the lifespan * Movement towards mutuality rather than movement towards separation characterizes mature functioning * Relationship differentiation and elaboration characterize growth * Mutual empathy and mutual empowerment are the core of growth-fostering relationships * In growth-fostering relationships, all people contribute and grow or benefit; development is not a one-way street * Mutual empathy is the vehicle for change in therapy ...
Words: 1945 - Pages: 8
...Social Services Lobbyists Social lobbyists seek to obtain the support of many individuals along with politicians. The social lobbyists gather ideas and resources needed for the human services and then seeks to persuade and gather supporters. A social lobbyist as a social advocate is very important. The reason for this is that the lobbyist actually experiences the resources and knows what can be implemented for improvement. The responsibility of a lobbyist is extensive and consists of numerous tasks. Social advocates are courageous people who attain good analytical skills. Social advocates stand for what they believe in, and they lobby for people who are exploited, underprivileged, and destitute. There are different types of social advocates who lobby for what they believe in, such as human rights activist, environmentalists, revolutionary leader, and social workers. Social workers are huge social advocates; they lobby for political and social actions that help clients have equal access to employment, and services. Social workers lobby for county programs, local human rights commissions, and state agencies, such as those providing food stamps, Medicaid, and vocational rehabilitation. On the federal side social workers lobby for Social Security Administration, Department of Health and Human services, United States Department of Justice, and the president of the United States. Social workers positions as lobbyists effect social policy changes through changing laws...
Words: 997 - Pages: 4
...term goal and history of Human Services, the nature of the generalist practice, theoretical frameworks, common intervention strategies and finally, ethical considerations will all be discussed in this essay. The Goal of Human Services As previously mentioned, Human Services is a means by which the socially disadvantaged can be assisted in meeting their basic physical and emotional needs. Various obstacles keep some from meeting their needs on their own. Some of these obstacles have been created by the individual himself due to bad judgment or decisions. However, more often than not the reasons why people cannot meet their basic needs are due to circumstances beyond their control (Martin, 2007). Human service agencies (also known as social service agencies) are called upon by these individuals when they have encountered these obstacles and they do not have anyone that can help them succeed in circumventing them. These obstacles or barriers can be any number of things ranging from lack of a family or friends, unemployment and mental and/or physical illnesses (Martin, 2007). History of Human Services Human Services as we now...
Words: 1063 - Pages: 5
