Values and Ethics in International Social Work

Sociology -- Social Work

Values & Ethics International Social Work

In the article Dilemmas of international social work: a paradoxical process in indigenisation, universalism and imperialism (Gray, 2005), international social work is discussed in regards to a three branched dilemma. The dilemma comes from the inconsistent directions or opposing procedures surrounding indigenisation, universalism and imperialism in social work. Cross-cultural conversation and exchange is forming and shaping new kinds of social work (indigenisation) while social work is, at the same time, trying to hang on to some form of ordinary identity (universalism). This is happening at the same time as labors toward internationalizing social work raise the vision of Westernization and imperialism.

In the article Professional Contributions Social Work and International Development Practice (Wilson & Whitmore, 2000), the authors investigate the association between accompaniment, social work theory and feminist procedures. Accompaniment unites both structural and conjunctural examination with the interpersonal abilities that are so necessary to effectual collaboration. Since most social workers are women, and many have incorporated feminist principles and processes into their work, these elements can be combined in elaborating the methodology of accompaniment.

In both of these articles the authors describe a set of principles based upon teamwork, shared trust, admiration, universal analysis of the problem, commitment to unity, and equal opportunity in the connection, that are commonly used in social work practice. The authors argue that restructuring of development practices should be informed by feminist critique because gender is an important characteristic in development. According to the articles the qualities that women can contribute include professional dedication, flexibility, collaboration, urgency, connection between personal circumstances and political frameworks, mutuality and allocation. Women tend to use these skills in group work, networking, process and interpersonal communication skills like empathy, caring, respect, openness, and tolerance for ambiguity.

I thought it was interesting that neither article addressed the fact that the qualities that they attributed to being womanly are also qualities that men can have too. It appears that both articles where written from a gender biased point-of-view. Although the qualities described were ones that most women have, there are many men that display the same qualities and thus could be used to model the restructuring of social work theory.

The idea that social work theory should be restructured to encompass an international flavor is a very good one. It should be that there is a universal theory to the way that people are aided across the world. So many times the problems that face a person in one part of the world is the same type of problem that another person is facing in another part of the world. Incorporating theories together from across the globe allows for social workers to have the best tried and true techniques and methods available to them at any time.