Social Work for Sociologists: Theory and Practice

Key Values, Ethics, and Skills for Working with People ● 49

Historically, social work textbooks tended to teach about values, codes
of ethics, and human rights legislation without identifying them as social
constructions. More recently, however, because so many communities are
rapidly diversifying and workers are facing increasingly complex social
problems, codified ethical rules have revealed their shortcomings. It has
become more obvious that beliefs about justice and about what constitutes
balanced solutions are constructed in a context of time and place. This has led
to a new developmental phase in social work ethical theorizing, emphasizing
the need for a better understanding of ethical philosophy (Banks 2008).
Unlike educators in disciplines that can remain theoretical, at least at the
level of teaching, social work educators must tackle the complex topic of values
and ethics in practice. Just as theorizing has become more complex, so too the
frameworks for ethical decision making have evolved from simple to multi-
plex, recognizing several possible outcomes in resolving practice dilemmas
(Cowden and Pullen-Sansfacon 2014; Reamer 2013). Before considering
practical approaches, however, we need to define values and differentiate
ethical theory and ethical codes.

Definitions of Values and Ethics

Many people become confused about the difference between values and ethics.
To clarify that confusion, the two terms must be defined.

Values

Values are beliefs or judgments about rights and wrongs, relating to attitudes,
behaviors, and goals. Values are stronger than mere preferences, and profes-
sionals often use the term as a synonym for the term “principle.”
Personal values relate to things we find meaningful and important. They
are consciously held, and we can express them in words. Nevertheless, they
might have developed out of unconscious group and personal influences, such
as upbringing or life experiences (Cowden and Pullen-Sansfacon 2014). For
example, we might know that we value animal life, and we might be vegetarian
and take action to support animal rights. But we might have long since forgotten
an extraordinarily kind or cruel act that we observed that inspired our value.
Likewise, we might be unaware that our valuing of the lives of all creatures
is part of our cultural heritage until we travel abroad and observe a different
value. Values can be individual, but it is easier to adhere to them when we have
group support. We might receive support from family or friends, animal rights
groups, or religious or professional groups. Disapproval from parents during
childhood and from peers in our teenage years also powerfully shapes values.