WOW! We have jumped right in to a very complex issue and one that is so fluid. At the moment, there are many thoughts swirling around in my head about my feelings regarding social justice, our role as social workers in the field, and the rights of the individual (as well as their membership within a particular group).
Pelton immediately states in his essay that there is a "growing consensus among social workers in the United Sates, and especially social work educators, that a central mission of social work is the promotion of social justice" (Pelton, 2001, p 433). While I am in agreement with much of what Pelton argues in his essay (i.e., concern for the individual, a just community is one that benefits all of its individuals, policies based on group constructs can be discriminatory, social workers are called to work within systems based on discriminatory group constructs), I also see value in Scanlon and Longres’ argument that while under the most ideal conditions justice should be individually based, there is the need to acknowledge two reasons for supporting group-based justice: that group-based remedies help to “level the playing field” when some groups are much more disadvantaged than others and to promote cultural competency.
Here are a few questions that come to mind...
With the belief that policies and services should be available to all of those in need, how is this done in a manner that is totally non-discriminatory? Is this idea realistic?
With the belief that policies and services should be available to all of those in need, how is this done in a manner that is totally non-discriminatory? Is this idea realistic?
How do we as social workers (if working in the “system”) balance what is best for the individual with what the “system” mandates? Additionally, could these constraints play a part in the trend for social workers going into private practice?
Social justice is a very fluid topic (i.e., affirmative action, GBLT rights, rights for the elderly, equal education, etc., etc., etc.). How do we effectively stay on top of these so that the policies and services are as current as the issues?
P.S. I ran across this link regarding social justice on the NASW website. I found it interesting and thought you might too.
