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…