Social justice is extremely important particularly in relation to social policy, social work practice and community development as it seeks to alleviate oppression and relates to the suitable distribution of resources and services (Cheyne, O'Brien, & Belgrave, 2008). This form of justice is recognized as distributive justice as it is concerned with the fair distribution of all resources that are required for well-being and it seeks to ensure all people have equal opportunity and enjoyment of all of these resources (Cheyne, O'Brien, & Belgrave, 2008). Whereas, retributive justice, is associated with recompense and retaliation, and is constructed on rectification when laws are broken or when harm occurs (Cheyne, O'Brien, & Belgrave, 2008). Furthermore, it encompasses the ideologies of equality, citizenship, assuring freedom, meeting essential needs, risk and rights for all groups and individuals (O'Brien, 2009).
Human rights is another associated relationship between social work practice and community development. Issues of human rights arise when human well-being is threatened in some form (Connolly, 2009). According to Amnesty International (2013):
Human rights are basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, language, or other status. Human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life, liberty and freedom of expression; and social, cultural and economic
Included in these rights are the full ranges of human rights-civil, cultural, economic, social and political through things like: The right to services like, health care and education. To grow up in a loving, understanding and a happy
Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) It is therefore of paramount importance that a social work professional should work towards promoting the best interests of individuals and groups in society. I very much recognize the contribution that social work brings to inclusion having worked alongside social workers during the course of my shadowing placement. I possess a real commitment to promote equality which I have had the pleasure of doing in a multitude of different roles. From academic journals as well as my lecture notes I now appreciate the central importance of using the fundamental principles of human rights and equality to underpin my practice, and the inherent need to promote justice in relation with the people I will work.
Human rights are moral principles or norms that describe certain standards of human behaviour and are regularly protected as legal rights in national and international law.
Human rights are the recognition of basic rights and freedoms believed to justifiably belong to all human beings.
The role of social work professionals in aiding those in poverty, is to the Code’s principles of Social Justice. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), “Beneath this practicality lies a strong value system that can be summarized in two words: social justice. “Social workers can often liaise with advocacy groups in local, state, and national jurisdiction to assist specific vulnerable populations” (Jansson,
Here is a more extensive list of social justice implications that I feel that Master of Social Work students and Social Workers can take into consideration to advocate for change:
Human rights are legal rights that is inherent to all human beings, no matter their nationality, religion, color, gender, language and ethnic origin. Three philosophers that have advocated and influenced my idea of human rights are John Locke, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Immanuel Kant. One of
According to the AASW (2008), the social work profession has a responsibility in the decolonisation of oppressive practices
As an undergraduate student, I never imagined becoming a social worker. At that time, I did not have a complete understanding of all the aspects social work encompassed. I was also unaware of the various pathways social work had. Now, to my understanding, social workers are aiming for social and economic justice. Social justice leads to greater social welfare and social change. Social work also aims to help those who face various hardships. Situational, cultural, ethnic diversity and intellectual abilities each play a role. I have come to look at social justice comparable to the American philosopher John Rawls. Both Rawls and I view social justice as a safeguard to members of society who are at a disadvantage. It works to secure equal access to liberties, rights, and opportunities. When denial of liberties and basic human rights is clear, we are looking at the face of injustice. Social justice aims to provide members of society facing injustice the necessary opportunities. Social welfare can be of help to any population: men, women, the elderly, and children. Every race, ethnicity, and religion. Immigrants, veterans, the mentally ill, the mentally disabled and so on. Through my experiences, I have decried multi folds denied liberties and opportunities. I look at these people and ask myself, "What can society do to help them? What can I do to help them? What resources are available to them? How can we meet these people in the position they are and help them overcome?" These
(Thomas and Pierson, 1995, pp. 134-5) It is the role of a social worker to comment, on procedures and practices which are anti-oppressive and empowering and to contribute and promote the development of these. They should also be respectful towards people’s values, culture, goals and preferences. As social workers there should be no discrimination in the work place by recognising their own prejudices and not use that to oppressive groups or individuals. Colleagues that display any act of discrimination or prejudice should be challenged and be reported by social workers and insure services are delivered and proposed in a suitable way. Another ethical principle under the human rights act is respecting the right to self-determination. As social workers irrespective of their values and beliefs should support people’s judgement and right to form their own choices if this does not affect the rights and safety of others. Self-determining requires the capability to form a resolution and carrying out the choices of the decision due to one’s own desires. (Pg.29 Sarah banks)
The aim of this part is to investigate how anti-oppressive, Human rights, social systems and feminist theories can be used to guide different interventions in social work practice in reflecting on scenario. Social worker need to develop an understanding ideas of anti-oppressive practice, as this will help them by offering choice to service users and will prepare them in how they deal effectively with power differences by addressing the impact of oppression from all angles. It is well recognized that the social work relationship is a significant factor impacting client change and outcomes regardless of the intervention or theoretical approach used. Theory is an essential ingredient in practice that guides the way in which social workers view
Human rights are rights that were given to us just for being human. It also allows us the right for equality amongst us and from any discriminative, degrading or prejudice
Human rights are universal rights that we are entitled to. It is a freedom that is guaranteed based on the principle of respect for an individual. As mentioned in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights are a “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all member of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world” (Kent, page 80). When asked what our rights are, we tend to get different answers and meanings. Some people recite the rights that they know; but let’s face it, not everyone knows all of the rights that they truly have. The rights we have consist of many things such as the right of having an adequate food supply. The right to
Improving the lives of individuals is the objective of the social work profession. There is six values within National Association of Social work Code of Ethics (NASW): Service, Social Justice, Dignity, and Self-worth of the person, Importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These values are for social workers and their work with the client(s). Regardless of one’s race, religious belief, sex or sexual orientation each value benefits all individuals. Social workers should always practice professional values. Clients suffer from when the social worker does not uphold values. Code of Ethics is established for all social workers to obey and follow them. In this this paper, I will discuss the how “Importance of Human Relationship” will be the easiest to uphold and how “Social Justice” will challenge me as a social worker working with future clients, community and organizations.
Human rights can be summarized as the activities and freedoms that all human beings are entitled to enjoy and only by virtue of their humanity. These conditions are generally guaranteed in the constitution of the land. They are widely felt in the area as they are divided and not limited to political, social economic and cultural rights. Some of the main principles of human rights include the fact that they are inherent, inalienable and indivisible as well. In this relation, human rights can never be taken away from an individual whereby the enjoyment of one right should not infringe the enjoyment of other. They must all be respected and maintained.