Instructions For Former President Of The American Associatio

Instructionsformer President Of The American Association Of Social Wor

Instructionsformer President Of The American Association Of Social Wor

Reflect on and respond to Benjamin Youngdahl’s question regarding whether the function of social workers is limited to treating pathologies or if there is a positive or preventive role to perform as well. Support your position by invoking one core value from the NASW Code of Ethics and one of the nine competencies from the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Your response should be formatted according to APA 7th edition, include a title and references page, and be approximately four pages long (including title and references). Ensure your paper contains at least three in-text citations from the NASW Code of Ethics, CSWE EPAS, and the Trattner textbook. Proper organization, thoughtful analysis, and graduate-level grammar and spelling are expected.

Paper For Above instruction

The role of social work extends beyond solely addressing pathological conditions to encompass preventive and positive functions that foster resilience, empowerment, and societal well-being. Benjamin Youngdahl’s question highlights a fundamental debate within social work regarding its scope and responsibility: should social workers focus primarily on treating existing issues, or should they also prioritize shaping systemic conditions to prevent issues and promote positive development? This paper responds to that question by arguing that social workers should indeed adopt a broad, holistic approach that balances treatment with prevention, guided by core values and competencies from professional standards. Specifically, the core value of social justice from the NASW Code of Ethics and the competency of values and ethics from the CSWE EPAS serve as foundational frameworks to support this perspective.

Firstly, the NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes social justice as a central value that guides social work practice. According to NASW (2021), social workers are committed to challenging social injustice and promoting policies and practices that advance equality and access for all individuals. This principle inherently involves proactive engagement with systemic inequities to prevent the emergence of social problems. For instance, by advocating for affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and equitable education, social workers work preventively to reduce the risk factors associated with poverty and marginalization, rather than solely intervening after problems have escalated (NASW, 2021). The ethical commitment to social justice suggests that social workers' responsibilities include not just treatment but also prevention and positive social change, aligning with Youngdahl’s call for a broader role.

Secondly, the CSWE EPAS competency of values and ethics underscores the importance of professional values guiding practice. This competency requires social workers to critically reflect on their values, adhere to ethical standards, and engage in culturally competent and ethical decision-making (CSWE, 2022). Through this lens, social workers are encouraged to consider the broader societal implications of their work and to foster environments that support positive growth and systemic change. For example, applying principles of social justice and human rights as part of ethical decision-making promotes policy advocacy, community development, and preventive interventions that target root causes of social issues (CSWE, 2022). This competency reinforces the idea that social workers must balance individual treatment with proactive strategies to improve social systems, thereby fulfilling a more comprehensive role.

The insights from Trattner’s textbook further support this holistic view. Trattner (2019) details the evolution of social work from a primarily remedial focus to one emphasizing empowerment and prevention. Historical developments reveal that social work has long recognized the importance of early intervention and systemic change, exemplified by programs aimed at childhood education, community organizing, and social policy reform. These initiatives exemplify an ethical orientation towards fostering resources and environments that enable individuals and communities to thrive, rather than merely addressing symptoms after problems manifest (Trattner, 2019).

In conclusion, based on the core value of social justice articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics, and the competencies related to values and ethics outlined by CSWE, it is evident that social work should embrace a dual role—addressing immediate needs while actively engaging in preventive and positive functions. This approach aligns with the profession’s ethical commitments and ensures that social workers contribute to a more equitable and resilient society. Youngdahl’s question challenges social workers to rethink their role, urging a broader view that prioritizes systemic change, prevention, and the promotion of social well-being alongside reactive treatment.

References

  • National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of Ethics. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
  • Council on Social Work Education. (2022). Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Standards
  • Trattner, W. (2019). From Poor Law to Welfare State: A History of Social Welfare Policies. Routledge.

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