3 discussion post

Discussions Week 3  

discussion 1: SOCIAL WORK AS AN ETHICAL PROFESSION

Social work is a profession bound by a code of ethics, one which has evolved in conjunction with the development of social work practice. The code of ethics outlines the mission and values of the social work profession, as well as the subsequent principles and standards that demonstrates those values. The code is not a rule book, but a set of guidelines that helps a social worker choose the most appropriate course of action.

Codes of ethics or discussions of ethics can be formal, sometimes resembling legal language, and adopted by varied groups. When examined closely and analyzed, they can become powerful, and their meaning can evolve with your experience. And they serve a practical purpose, especially in social work—they are guiding principles and a checkpoint. In this Discussion, you reflect on the NASW Code of Ethics to begin the process of finding how its meaning can apply to your practice.

· Read the NASW Code of Ethics in its entirety, including Preamble, Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics, Ethical Principles, and Ethical Standards.

 Assigned section= Standard 2 to Colleagues

· Consider how you might explain to a peer the relevance of the NASW code of ethics generally and your assigned section of the code specifically.

Post the following as it relates to your assigned standard:

· Describe professional ethics and the purpose of the NASW code of ethics in your own words.

· Explain the section of the code that you were assigned.

· Describe the standards within that section in your own words.

· Provide a specific example of how a social worker would apply these ethical standards in their practice.

discussion 2: WORKING WITH FAMILIES

Families are as unique as the individuals who form them. While you may utilize the same or similar techniques while working with family systems (through the steps in the GIM and related practice skills), it is also important to recognize that each family has its own unique needs and experiences in the world. The empowerment perspective states that an essential aspect of working with individuals and families is to address their feelings of powerlessness and oppression. Empowerment is a process, and one part of that process is to gain an awareness of the oppressive structures evident in our society. Oppression, in the form of racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia, can impact a family’s quality of life and ability to thrive. In this Discussion, you consider the many aspects of working with diverse families.

Select a family system working with barriers and challenges, such as those related to differences in sexual orientation, a differences in race or ethnicity, substance abuse, food insecurity, or managing a disability.

Think about how a social worker might address one of these barriers on an individual, family, organizational, group, or community level.

Post a response to the following:

· Provide a brief description of the family system you selected. (article has been attached)

· Explain potential barriers or challenges this family might encounter.

· Explain how a social worker might address this barrier on an individual, family, organizational, group, or community level.

discussion 3: PARENTING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Last week, you saw how a single factor such as parental substance use can have significant effects on the biological development of a child. The way in which a parent/caregiver interacts with the child can also have lasting effects—this time, psychological. A caregiver’s warmth, presence, attentiveness, communication, parenting, and disciplinary styles all contribute to the child’s understanding of themselves and their place in the environment. Child abuse can not only harm a child physically but can also disrupt psychological development. However, with every child abuse claim, it is important to consider cultural aspects that may be at play.

For this Discussion, you examine a case involving a family who has been referred to a social worker due to child abuse allegations. You describe the risks to the children’s psychological development and apply theory to the case.

· Review the Learning Resources on psychological development. Refer to last week’s media piece on theories of human development.

· Explore the Hernandez Family case in the  Social Work Case Studies interactive media in the Learning Resources

Post your initial response to the case: 

· Describe two potential risks of Juan and Elena Hernandez’s disciplinary style on the psychological development of their children.

· Identify one theoretical perspective (e.g., Piaget or Erikson) that can be used to explain the children’s developmental stage. How does this theory apply to the Hernandez children and to the potential impact of the parents’ disciplinary style?