RE: SOCW6060 Discussion and Response to 2 Students (WK7)
Discussion: Values Underlying Theory and the NASW Code of Ethics
Every profession has a code of ethics that guides professional behavior. In social work, the NASW Code of Ethics guides the behavior and decision-making practices of social workers. It is important that the https://www.awid.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/changing_their_world_2ed_full_eng.pdf
Collins, B. (1986). Defining feminist social work. Social Work, 31(3), 214-219.
Colorado University (n.d.). Basic principles of feminist theory. Retrieved from
https://www.colorado.edu/Sociology/Mayer/Contemporary%20Theory/Feminist%20Theory_files/frame.htm
Land, H. (1995). Feminist social work in the 21st century. In N. Van Den Berg (Ed.), Feminist
practice in the 21st century (pp. 3-19). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
National Association of Social Workers (2017). Read the Code of Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx
Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2014). Counseling and psychotherapy
theories in context and practice [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.psychotherapy.net.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/stream/waldenu/video?vid=277
STAND! For Families Free of Violence (n.d.). Statistics. Retrieved from
http://www.standffov.org/statistics/
Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment interlocking theoretical approaches (6th e.).
New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
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Response 2 Sarah,
Underlying Principles and Values of Empowerment Theory
Empowerment theory is based on the value of uniting the person and their environment in an attempt to build a stronger more unified community model and more equal shares of power for all involved (Turner, 2017). Empowerment theory has a goal to include the individual, the family, community, and society into the model that directly challenges power struggles and encourages those who are oppressed to evaluate themselves and their surroundings to engage with communities and engage with resources (Turner, 2017). Possibly most importantly, the empowerment theory values that a client works alongside the social worker as an active member of the process to promote a long-term internal change within the client to continue a lifetime of change (Turner, 2017).
Consistency with NASW Code of Ethics
The ethical principles of social workers are service to the oppressed, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence which is the foundation for empowerment theory (National Association of Social Workers, 2018). Empowerment theory is directly in line with the social worker’s code of ethics in that it challenges the social injustice of inequity of resources (Turner, 2017). Further, empowerment theory values the connection of human relationships by building on the relationships of the community in larger support systems where “self is found in community with others.” (Turner, 2017). Social workers must be educated in the way to empower others, including society at large and have the competence to effectively effect change by empowering individuals up to society (National Association of Social Workers, 2018).
Fieldwork Experience with Empowerment Theory
While at my field placement, I witnessed profound internalization of oppression in one of my clients. She was a woman who was being emotionally verbally abused by her husband, had been most of her life by others, had limited access to resources, and believed that she was not worth the work. While in treatment, it appeared that she began to understand and value herself as a person, but returned to the same environment without her husband and the main value of the theory involving a person’s environment was not extended to her full environment and she reverted back to internalized self-loathing. It was a clear example of misuse of empowerment theory in that it did not support the client, the environment, and clinical support to empower the client into long-term change.
Ethical Standard with Client
During her time in treatment, the focus was on her substance use issues and the treatment team was committed to her as directed by the social work code of ethics to promote the well-being of the client (National Association of Social Workers, 2018). The agency also followed informed consent directives allowing the client to make informed decisions about her treatment and disclosures during the entire process with the knowledge of what could happen if she disclosed something that required staff to break her confidentiality or an issue that requires mandatory reporting (National Association of Social Workers, 2018).
During my work with the client, I used empowerment techniques to challenge some of her negative self-talk and work through some ideas to promote her self-worth. Initially, she viewed herself through the lens of her husband and was unable to speak about herself without mentioning him. Through challenges of her negative self thoughts and continued encouragement and support, she began to verbalize more positive view of self and taking more active initiative in her own life and treatment process.
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of…
Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
My References
National Association of Social Workers (2017). Retrieved from
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English.aspx
Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
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