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KNOWLEDGE AND PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATION IN SOCIAL WORKUNIT 3THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND VALUES FOUNDATION IN SOCIAL WORKOUTLINEPhilosophy of Social WorkValues of Social WorkConcepts Implied in Social Work ValuesSocial Work View on ManDominant Filipino ValuesPrinciples of Social WorkProfessional Ethics------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL WORKThe philosophical base of social work is an expression of its concern with the ultimate nature of the world and man. Man is the object of social work and it is man in relationship with his environment, how he interacts with it.Social Work is based on the belief that man has worth and dignity. This belief is generally associated with democratic theory, which views man as having worth because he is capable of reason, of rational analysis, and choice. “Humanism implies an assumption about man. It implies that every human being by the mere fact of his existence has dignity, that this dignity begins at birth, that the possession of this dignity, even if dimly realized by the possessor, is, or, ought to be, the continuum of his life, and that to strip him of this dignity, is to degrade him in so outrageous a way that we call the degradation inhumane.” – Howard Mumford JonesThe social work philosophy is contended to be derived from religion, and for many, it is rooted in Judeo-Christian teachings. Man was said to be created in the image of God (and having soul), imbued with inherent worth and dignity.Social workers also believe in the value of human community and the importance of this life and its continuity with the next. This concept is reinforced by Filipino values. The Filipino looks at himself as a self (kalooban) conscious of his dignity and freedom as an individual. The Filipino common man (tao) does not espouse flight from this world and its concerns and is mainly concerned with practical solutions to the problems of daily life.Many Filipinos still emphasize the importance of the tribe, the family, the group (sakop) over the individual, a value which the social worker still frequently encounters in a community work.As mentioned above, we can social work belief briefly from the beliefs that…Man must be accorded due respect because of his inherent worth and dignity;Man is unique creature depending on other men for the fulfillment of his uniqueness; andMan has the capacity for change, growth and betterment/development.VALUES OF SOCIAL WORK(based on the Curriculum Study of the Council on Social Work Education)Each person has the right to self-fulfillment, deriving his inherent capacity and thrust toward that goal.Each person has the obligation, as a member of society, to seek ways of self-fulfillment that contribute to the common good.Society has the obligation to facilitate the self-fulfillment of the individual and the right to enrichment through the contribution of its individual members.Each person requires for the harmonious development of his powers socially provided and socially safeguarded opportunities for satisfying his basic needs in the physical, psychological, economic, cultural, aesthetic, and spiritual realms.As society becomes more complex and interdependent, increasingly specialized social organization is required to facilitate the individual’s effort to self-realization.To permit both self-realization and contribution to society by the individual, social organization must make available socially-provided devices for needs-satisfaction as wide in range, variety, and quality as the general welfare allows.CONCEPTS IMPLIED IN THE SOCIAL WORK VALUESThe concept on human potentials and capacities. The man can fulfill himself premised on the belief that he is inherently endowed with potentials and capacities.The concept of social responsibility. That the individual has the obligation to contribute to the common good and society, and on its part, has the responsibility to facilitate the development of its members, gives a dual meaning to this concept.The concept of equal opportunities. This concept is premised on the ideal of social justice, two elements of which are fairness and equality. In addition, the concept of “access” is critical, for even if opportunities do not discriminate against any individual or group, lack of access, for one reason or another, detracts from the meaning of this concept.The concept of social provision. This concept is based on the premise that there will always be people everywhere, at all times, with unmet needs or problems which are beyond their own capacity to solve. Thus, social provision refers to the desirability of providing social resources for the satisfaction of human needs for the goal of human welfare.As reported by William Gordon on the work of the National Association of Social Workers’ Commission on Social Work Practice, there has been the agreement that “the ultimate value of social work rests upon a conviction that it is good and desirable for man to fulfill his potential, to realize himself and to balance this with equal efforts to help others do the same.”DIFFERENT VIEWS ON MANNatural vs. Transcendental View. In the naturalistic view, man is part of nature. He can be studied and understood scientifically as we do the rest of nature, so that if we know all that science could teach us we could fully account for man and his behavior. In the transcendental view, it holds that science can never fully explain man, partly due to ignorance, and partly because man has a potential to transcend the natural order of things, to choose, to create, and to be rational.Man as Social, Asocial, or Anti-social. Being a social, men aspire to live on good terms with others, to be part of and to contribute to group life, making personal goals subservient to group goals.As asocial beings, they are discreet individuals who come together to form groups for their mutual protection and safety.As anti-social beings, men are viewed as inherently self-seeking, egotistical, out to extend personal gain at the expense of others.Democracy’s View of ManMan is viewed as capable of reason, of rational analysis and choice. It believes that social, biological, cultural and psychological influences are powerful in determining behavior, but that man can overcome these influences and exercise choice.Social work adheres to the democratic view of man while the tow other views about man are also recognized. It is the third view that forms the main basis for the values of social work.DOMINANT FILIPINO VALUESSocial Acceptance – defined as being undertaken by one’s fellows for what one is, or believes he is, and being treated in accordance with his status, this value is facilitated by the following intermediate values:Smooth Interpersonal Relations (SIR) – which is a facility at getting along with others in such a way to avoid outward signs of conflict.PakikisamaEuphemismUse of “Go-Between” (tulay)Amor Propio – term used to refer to the sensitivity to personal affront and functions to protect individual against loss of social acceptance.Emotional Closeness and Security in a Family – this value is believed to be facilitated in situations whereas member of the family undertakes sacrifices in expense of self for the good of the family.The Authority Value – the belief that families will remain close if someone exerts firm authority, and that such person must be respected and obeyed. Closely related to the authority balue is the respect for tradition and rituals no matter how impractical they have become. Panalangin and Bahala na (fatalism are part of this adherence to the tradition and beliefs.Personalism – attaches major importance to the personal factor which guarantees intimacy, warmth, and security of kinship and friends in getting things done.Utang na Loob – when a transfer of goods or services takes place between individuals, it compels the recipient to show his gratitude properly by returning the favor “with interest” to be sure that he does not remain in the other’s debt.Patience, Suffering and Endurance – is a cultural belief that a person must suffer before he can gain happiness.SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLESBased on De Guzman’s BookBased on Mendoza’ BookAcceptanceIndividualizationNonjudgmental AttitudePurposeful Expression of FeelingsControlled Emotional InvolvementSelf-DeterminationConfidentialityAcceptanceClient ParticipationClient Self-DeterminationIndividualizationConfidentialityWorker’s Self-AwarenessClient-Worker RelationshipACCEPTANCEIt is based on the belief that every human being is born with that every human is born with inherent worth and dignity, that he is intrinsically good and naturally virtuous and therefore should be treated such. Clients are accepted for what they are irrespective of what they have done or failed to do. Nevertheless, clients are held accountable for their actions and must behave responsibly toward others.This principle requires social worker to extend unconditional love despite awareness of the person’s failures and weaknesses. Love in this moral sense is more an act of will rather than an emotional impulse. It sees the person as a human being, strong in certain qualities but with his own limitations.It does not include anti-social or deviant attitudes of the client. The social worker separates the individual from his deeds; he must be viewed independently of his acts. The object of acceptance is not the good but the real which means dealing with the client as he is in reality.INDIVIDUALIZATIONThis principle involves the recognition and understanding of each client’s unique qualities and the differential use of principles and methods in assisting each toward a better adjustment.This principle means that the worker recognizes that while human beings have many things in common, there are also important individual differences that must be accepted. No two persons are alike because each personality is the product of genetics and the environment. Each individual has the right to be his own person, separate and distinct from others, and to be treated and regarded as such.Individuals may present the same problems to a worker, but the circumstances of the problem, the client’s individual perceptions and responses, will be different. This implies that the social worker must be skilled in differential diagnosis so that the kind of help he will render to each and every client meets the particular needs of each specific case or situation, using as much as possible the client’s own resources (his capacities and capabilities).NONJUDGMENTAL ATTITUDE The principle of acceptance implies a non-judgmental stance on the part of the social worker which may be expressed in his attitude of neutrality. The worker does not use derogatory labels to identify his clients like prostitutes, thief, retarded, murderer, etc. He may not even assume a condemnatory attitude towards the client’s attitudes and behavior, his values, standards and actions, even his lifestyle. He may not assign guilt or innocence on the client.The worker may not say outright that the client caused or created his problem; his skills and techniques he uses should bring the client to the point of self-discovery, or self-awareness, of self-recognition of his own failings or innocence.PURPOSEFUL EXPRESSION OF FEELINGS and CONTROLLED EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENTThese principles are like the two sides of a coin. The first refers to the client and the second, to the social worker.Emotional expression on the part of the client enables him to release, express his pent-up feelings. Only then he can view more objectively his problem, his situation and his own place in the mix-up. The client’s expression of feelings enables the worker to gain deeper insights in the client’s problem and become more sensitive to his needs.It is purposeful because the worker by interposing relevant questions or encouraging observations provides the direction which will enable him to acquire better understanding and more knowledge of the situation. The client should be able to share his private thoughts freely, especially the negative ones. Verily, the need for man to express his feelings is a strong factor in the solution of the difficulty he is encountering.The controlled emotional involvement or the professional non-involvement refers to the social worker’s way of reacting to the client’s purposeful expression of feelings. It implies professional detachment. It means that although the worker must be sympathetic and understanding he must guard against becoming emotionally involved with his client. Becoming emotionally involved is likely to color what should be an objective viewpoint. The worker is therefore advised to remain neutral but sensitive, understanding and responsive.Sensitivity refers to the ability to perceive or respond to the client’s expressed feelings, attitudes or behavior. The worker must understand the meaning of these feelings and behavior in relation to the client and his problem and respond in appropriate ways to the client’s feelings.CLIENT SELF-DETERMINATIONSelf-determination is a derivative of the belief that man is endowed with a reason and a free will. Client’s self-determination is the right and need of the client to make his own choices and decisions in the process of receiving help. The worker has a corresponding duty to respect that right, recognize that need and help activate the person’s potential for self direction.CONFIDENTIALITYSocial workers believe that the clients have a right to keep their past behavior and present troubles private. Confidentiality refers to the preservation of secret information concerning the client which is disclosed in a professional relationship.CLIENT PARTICIPATIONThe client participation refers to the client part and active involvement in the entire problem-solving process. From the time that the worker begins to gather information, the client is asked to provide pertinent facts, to present his own perceptions of the situation and is involved in defining the nature of the problem. If there are many problems, he is involved in prioritizing these problems. He participates in planning, thinking of possible solutions for the problems, alternatives and finding his own resources which can be utilized in problem-solving.The worker builds upon and utilizes the client’s strengths. Right from the start, the social worker’s move should be to make the client understand that his participation is expected and crucial in the problem-solving process.SELF-AWARENESSThis principle means that the social worker is always conscious that her role is to make use of her professional relationship with her client in a way that will enhance primarily the client’s development rather than her own.Being a human being herself, the social worker has complex personal motivations. She is influenced by her own cultural beliefs and values. She also has certain biases, prejudices and negative attitudes toward certain things. All these may enter in her relationships with the clientele system she works with. She should therefore sufficiently understand and face herself, and be conscious of her own responses to her clients. She must always examine her feelings, whether they are positive and negative, and whether her responses and feelings are professionally motivated.The inability to control personal responses, even if they are positive responses, can work to the disadvantage of the client. On the other hand, negative feelings prevent a social worker from following the primary social work principle of acceptance.The conscious use of one’s self is also part of this principle. The social worker’s actions, gestures, behavior and expression reflects her discipline and conscious use of self. It includes the capacity to set limits when necessary.There is also a need for the social worker to be conscious of how she respond or reacts to manipulation by others. By being conscious of this, then she can learn skill of properly handling of certain acts that undermine her professional role. CLIENT-WORKER RELATIONSHIPThe relationship between worker and client is the means for carrying out the social worker’s function. A professional relationship comes to be formed on basis of expectations from the parties who compromise the relationship, such as between the worker and the client, and moves in the direction of certain goals or objectives which have been identified by mutual agreement.The purpose of worker-client relationship is to help the client in some area of his social functioning in which at the present time he is experiencing some difficulty, and where, the worker, usually representing a social agency, is in some position to offer help. Direction refers to where the relationship between worker and client should move in order to achieve its purpose. Expectations have to be clarified.PROFESSIONAL ETHICSEthics is the science that treats of morals and right conduct. Professional ethics is the system of ethical principles and rules of conduct generally accepted by the members of a professional group, based on the philosophy, values, and guiding principles and rules of conduct for guidance of the professional group, and the unwritten principles and rules of conduct which usually have the same force as the Code. Together, they serve as compass which helps guide the practitioner in her professional relationships – with her client, with her colleagues and her profession, with her agency, and with the public.CODE OF ETHICS FOR SOCIAL WORKERSAmerican Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (adopted in 1979)Philippine Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics (revised in 1998/ adopted in 1964)The Ethics of Social Work – Principles and Standards by International Federation of Social Workers (adopted 1994)PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS CODE OF ETHICS (PASWI)We, the members of the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. believing:?In the inherent dignity and worth of all persons, emanating from a Supreme Being who directs our actions of love for one another;That every human being has natural and social rights, capacities and responsibilities to develop his full potentials as a human being;In the human being’s capacity to change and recognize the value of unity in diversity, individual differences and pluralism in society;In free men and women living in a free society where poverty, in all its forms, is neither a fate nor a punishment, but is condition that can and must be changed;In the family as the basic unit of society and its vital role in the growth and development of the individual, the family system, and community;That the government, the private sector and the public have a joint responsibility to promote social justice and to ensure political, economic and social well-being of all people;In the role of social workers as agents and advocates of change and in the promotion of professionalism, responsibility and accountability; and,That our professional practice is deeply rooted in our cultural values,?DO HEREBY DECLARE that we will abide by these standards of ethical conduct:?Relative to Self and the Profession:?To conduct myself in a manner consistent with the philosophy, principles, values, and beliefs of the social work profession;To act at all times with honesty, openness, and transparency in all my professional transactions;To constantly work towards my own professional advancement so as to contribute to the promotion of the social work practice;To contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the integrity and competence of social workers;To share research knowledge and practice wisdom to colleagues and other professionals;To be vigilant and act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work;To support the professional association duly organized and constitute for the professional welfare of all social workers;To respond and volunteer my professional services in times of emergency;To uphold and protect the dignity and integrity of the profession; andTo promote cultural values that will enhance the practice of social work profession.?Relative to Clients:?To uphold the basic human rights of clients and serve them without discrimination;To accept primary responsibility and accountability to clients, respecting their right to self-determination and observe confidentiality in all my dealings with them;To seek out the marginalized and ensure equal access to the resources, services and opportunities required to meet basic needs; and,To expand choice and opportunity for all persons, with special regard for disadvantaged or oppressed groups or persons.?Relative to Colleagues:?To acknowledge and respect the professional expertise of other disciplines, extending all necessary cooperation that will enhance effective services;To bring any violation of professional ethics and standards to the attention of the appropriate bodies inside and outside the profession, and ensure that relevant clients are properly involved; andTo advocate with legislative and policy bodies for the welfare of all colleagues References:Mendoza, Thelma Lee, SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL WORK, Rev. Ed., Megabooks Co., 2002De Guzman, Leonora Serafica, INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK, New Day Publishers, 1992 ................
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