20 ● Kate van Heugten and Anita Gibbs
Social Work and Sociology TodayBalancing Action and Reflection
Although sociologists continue to debate the appropriateness of engaging in
social change oriented practice and the extent to which it might be appropriate
to take up value-laden positions, few now argue for extreme abstinence from
these matters. For example, Plummer (2010, 203) suggested that, although
sociologists should not venture to tell people how to think and act, they should
investigate topics that are politically and morally important. He urged: “The
challenge is on for each generation to leave behind a better place for subsequent
generations.” Plummer defined value neutrality as meaning that sociologists
should be open to all perspectives, should be aware of context, and should
strive to achieve an adequate representation of ideas. But alongside this, he
stressed that the ethics of doing sociology should be considered, including the
impact of research on participants and the potential consequences of how find-
ings might be used. He appeared to suggest that principles of openness on the
part of sociologists might be more readily adhered to if they remain in more
contemplative or investigative roles rather than activist interventionist roles.
Although some sociologists and other social scientists, and even some
educators in social work and human services, are able to remain at the more
abstinent end of the values and action continua, most will encounter situations
in their work that require that they take a stand. Sociology graduates will have
been advised during their studies that they need to take care in expressing
ethical views and in balancing action and reflection, but they might not have
learned how to actually do that in practical situations. Social workers, on the
other hand, have usually gained this knowledge during their education, and
they build on that foundational knowledge in their work.
Working Together Again
More recently, sociologists and social workers are finding common ground
and joining forces around a number of shared interests. Sociologists are
moving back toward areas previously occupied by social workers in regard
to the solving of complex social problems that cause human suffering. Social
work educators are joining sociologists in expressing concerns over the
commodification of social sciences into technocratic skills-based trades.
Contemporary sociologists, in particular those involved in feminist sociology,
antiracist sociology, and queer sociology, are increasingly explicit about their
anti-oppressive ethical standpoints (Laslett 2007; Jeffries 2009). Sociologists
are among those who critique injustices, protest against state and nonstate
violence, and raise concerns over the impacts of environmental degradation.