Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Respond by Day 6 to a colleague with a suggestion of how to address these schisms, both historical situations and current but yet unidentified ones. Does social action need to be separate from social work practice?



Colleague 1
The following paragraphs provide an analysis of the historical divides, particularly that of Jane Addams and Mary Richmond, which have influenced the profession of social work with respect to policy advocacy and action. An explanation of such schisms in contemporary social work is given, as well as how these schisms may impact a social workers’ fulfillment of ethical obligations. Lastly, differentiation in various practice approaches is discussed as it pertains to their importance to social work practice overall.

Both Jane Addams and Mary Richmond stand as two of the most influential women in the history of social work, as they directly participated in the paradigm shift that occurred in the profession near the turn of the century. Franklin (1986) states, “Addams was one of the chief architects of the Settlement House Movement and Richmond became the presiding matriarch of the Charity Organization Society philosophy. These were the two movements that interactively shaped the social purposes of the social work profession” (p. 505).

Richmond placed a strong emphasis on the individual, not directly addressing environmental or socially constructed forces. Further, Richmond took strides to establish casework and social diagnosis as a scientifically-based profession. Addams, contrastingly, refused to become professionalized by accepting a salary and focused her work on the role of social work as “the conscience of society.” Additionally, she contributed heavily to the integration of research and accountability in the process and method of social work practice (Franklin, 1986).

Ideological tensions such as that of Addams and Richmond have pervaded the social work discussion, and contemporary schisms continue to exist in the current profession. The social work profession faces continual challenges in its commitment to social responsibility and justice. This may convolute workers’ ability to fulfill their ethical obligations to society as incongruences between professionally upheld belief and action systems directly impact interventions made available to clients.

The National Association of Social Workers provides a framework of ethical principles and values which serve as a basis for united understanding within the profession. Social workers, as outlined in the Code of Ethics, are to “Engage in social and political action, act to expand choice and opportunity for all, promote conditions that encourage respect for cultural and social diversity, and prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability” (Jansson, 2018, p.4)

Ultimately, differentiation in the level, scope, methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and professional values persist in contemporary social work. These schisms contribute to the cause and function of social work as a profession and influence the way in which we practice and deliver care. To work towards a united framework for social work, practitioners should continually draw upon the NASW Code of Ethics in taking political action and advocacy.









References:

Franklin, D. L. (1986). Mary Richmond and Jane Addams: From Moral Certainty to Rational Inquiry in Social Work Practice. Social Service Review, 60(4), 504-525. doi:10.1086/644396

Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate From Policy Practice to Social Justice. Pacific Grove, CA: Cengage Learning Series.


REPLY QUOTE EMAIL AUTHOR

Colleague  2

COLLAPSE
Post  an analysis of historical divides (such as the schism between Jane Addams and Mary Richmond) and historical influences on current social work practice with respect to policy advocacy and action.



When we look at social work pioneers like Jane Addams and Mary Richmond, we see two figures with key differences in how they approached social work practice and advocacy work. For instance, Murdoch (2007) notes that while Jane Addams focused many of her efforts on social interaction within a sort of collective environment, Mary Richmond facilitated direct service methods that focused on addressing individuals and the family systems. One could argue that these two vastly different approaches still are at work in shaping how social workers practice.



Do such schisms exist in contemporary social work?



Given the multi-faceted nature of social work practice, one can make a strong case for there being schisms in contemporary practice. Jansson (2018) notes a strategy that is often used to address social issues is defined as utilizing social policy methods. Through this, there is a collective effort at the macro-level that aims to affect large scale changes. There are many social workers who lean in this direction and view this methodology as more effective in comparison to others. Social workers like these view policy work as an absolute necessity to enact viable changes in the lives of those who are marginalized, not spending as much time providing direct service to those they are advocating for.. If we were to view methods through the micro level, we would see approaches that would promote community engagement and a consolidation of efforts within a family unit or collective. Knight (2018) notes how community practice oftentimes aims to empower clients and give them the tools to affect change. These two competing approaches do indeed have value but they also can potentially create some type of conflict within a practitioner looking to address an issue.



If you think these divides exist, how do they prevent social workers from fulfilling their ethical obligation(s)? Are they important differentiations?



When considering this divide, one can be at risk of overloading one method over another. While one can specialize in direct service methods, if they are not mindful of the various policies that affect a given population of concern, they become susceptible to missing an opportunity to affect positive change. NASW (2017) calls for social workers to be well-rounded and able to address policy concerns as well as advocate for justice. Holding these ethics not only make social workers more effective and competent but they also help the human populace as a whole, when carried out.





Jansson, B. S.  (2018).  Becoming an effective policy advocate:  From policy practice to social justice.  (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA:  Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning Series.



Knight, C., & Gitterman, A. (2018). Merging micro and macro intervention: Social work practice with groups in the community. Journal of Social Work Education, 54(1), 3–17.



Murdach, A. D. (2007). Situational Approaches t