Values are extremely important in social work as a social worker will act on personal values when working with a client. For example, a personal value of my own is to make sure people are treated equally regardless of age, sexual orientation, race and different ability; therefore, ensuring each time working with a client, this value is at the centre of my decision making.
I'm not naive enough to know that some people may not share the same values as me, one experience in particular stocks out during my time at college. My college class friends and I were discussing values and how our own personal values may conflict with social work, I shared mine and told the class I'd struggle to work with pedophiles.. which everyone agreed with. Then my friend shard hers and said, gay people- my eyes darted around and I was shocked. Asking why, my friend said "c'mon Jodie how would you feel if one of your beautiful boys came home and said mum I'm gay, you'd be fuming" And I responded by saying, "No, not at all- as long as my boys are happy I'm happy." And that's the honest truth, my friends seemed to frown on my response. I discovered my friends value was from a cultural place, growing up within a community or family not accepting of gay people; moulds many a mind.
This example highlights the different values, prejudices and judgements individuals believe. In social work it is important to work through these feelings and not allow to interfere with any decisions. Which is why social work encourages its professionals to reflect on each different experience throughout life in order to learn and grow.
There are many texts on social work values, as values form an important part of the profession. A social workers values ensure one works with compassion and respect, and always mindful of the many different cultures, norms, traditions and differences of every individual person. Social work is helping me to understand how important it is to except people's individuality, no matter how diverse. My social work journey has only started, there is a lot for me to learn and experience about my own personal values and the values of others.
Thank you for reading.
Mumanduniversity x
Image credits- Google
Text book/Web sources- Ethics and Values in Social Work 2015, Linda Bell.
British Association of Social Workers.
