Social Justice social systems, System Problems Flashcards
What are human rights?
Human rights are basic things everyone should have simply because they are a person. They ensure fair treatment, kindness, and respect for all individuals.
Why do we need human rights?
Human rights ensure everyone has a fair chance to live a good life and be treated equally, no matter their background or appearance.
What does equality mean in terms of human rights?
Equality means treating everyone the same and fairly, regardless of gender, race, or background.
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)?
The UDHR is an international document created to protect the rights of everyone, regardless of their location or beliefs. It establishes basic human rights like fairness and equality.
What is the difference between negative and positive human rights?
Negative rights: Rights where the government should not interfere with personal freedoms (e.g., freedom of speech).
Positive rights: Rights that require the government to take action, like providing services (e.g., right to education).
What are some examples of important human rights?
Freedom of Speech
Right to Life, Liberty, and Security
Right to Education
No Cruel or Unusual Punishments
Right to Freedom of Religion
What is the Bill of Rights in the U.S.?
The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It protects individual freedoms and limits government interference, such as freedom of speech and the right to a fair trial.
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and how does it relate to the Bill of Rights?
The UDHR is a global document listing human rights, including both negative and positive rights. Many of its articles mirror those in the U.S. Bill of Rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and security.
What is federalism in the context of U.S. democracy?
Federalism is the division of power between the federal government and individual states. States have the right to make their own laws on matters not covered by the Constitution.
What are the three branches of the U.S. government?
Executive Branch (The President)
Legislative Branch (Congress)
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
What is gerrymandering and why is it a threat to democracy?
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party. It dilutes the voting power of certain groups and undermines fair representation.
What is the Tenth Amendment?
The Tenth Amendment gives states powers over matters not specifically addressed in the Constitution, allowing states to have their own laws and policies.
What is polarization and how does it affect U.S. democracy?
Polarization refers to the growing division between political parties (Democrats and Republicans), which leads to increased mistrust and hostility, impacting political stability.
What is the NASW Code of Ethics?
The NASW Code of Ethics provides guidelines for social workers, emphasizing values like social justice, service to others, integrity, and competence in practice.
What are the core values of social work according to the NASW Code of Ethics?
Service
Social Justice
Dignity and Worth of the Person
Importance of Human Relationships
Integrity
Competence
What does the principle of “dignity and worth of the person” in social work emphasize?
It emphasizes respecting the inherent dignity and self-worth of every individual and promoting their autonomy and self-determination.
What is the importance of the principle of “competence” in social work?
Social workers are expected to maintain and continually develop their professional knowledge and skills to effectively serve clients.
What is cultural competence in social work?
Cultural competence involves respecting and understanding the diverse cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds of individuals to provide effective services.
What is one of the core ethical principles in social work?
Promote the well-being of individuals and communities, helping people access resources.
What does respecting client self-determination mean in social work?
Honoring clients’ rights to make decisions about their own lives.
What does confidentiality entail in social work?
Ensuring personal information is kept private unless consent is given or required by law.
Why is integrity important in social work?
Social workers must act with integrity and maintain honesty in all professional activities.
What is cultural competence in social work?
Respecting the diverse cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds of individuals.
What is meant by avoiding conflicts of interest in social work?
Ensuring that personal beliefs or interests do not affect professional decisions.
What is the ethical responsibility to clients in social work?
Promote self-determination, protect clients from exploitation, and ensure privacy.
What does “dual relationships” mean in the context of social work?
Avoiding professional and personal relationships that could impair judgment or professionalism.
What should social workers ensure in their practice settings?
Safe, inclusive, and competent practices, while advocating for ethical organizational policies.
What is the ethical responsibility to colleagues in social work?
Treat colleagues with respect and engage in consultation and teamwork.
What does the ethical responsibility as professionals entail?
Maintaining professional competence through education, supervision, and practice.
What does advocating for social justice involve in social work?
Promoting equity, human rights, and addressing social issues like poverty, racial injustice, and health disparities.
What is the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) Code of Ethics focused on?
Emphasizing the unique needs of African American communities and advocating against racial injustice.
What is “intersectionality” in the context of social justice?
Understanding how multiple aspects of identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality) intersect to shape experiences of privilege and oppression.
What is the key role of social workers in promoting social justice according to Finn and Jacobson?
Advocating for the rights and well-being of marginalized groups and challenging structural inequalities.
What is “macro practice” in social work?
Involves community organizing, policy development, advocacy, and leadership to address systemic issues.
Who was Mary Richmond, and what was her contribution to social work?
She was the founder of the Charity Organization Societies (COS) model, focusing on diagnosing individual social problems and casework.
What was the focus of the Settlement House Movement in social work?
Providing community-based services and social reform to improve living conditions of the urban poor, as exemplified by Hull House.
What does “The Whitewashing of Social Work History” refer to?
The marginalization of contributions from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) figures in shaping the profession of social work.
Who was Ida B. Wells-Barnett and what was her contribution to social work?
Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a civil rights activist known for her anti-lynching campaigns and advocacy for civil rights. She was a critical figure challenging racism in the Progressive Era.
What was W.E.B. Du Bois’ impact on social work?
W.E.B. Du Bois was a sociologist and civil rights leader who co-founded the NAACP. He developed a social science that challenged oppression and focused on emancipatory aspects of social work.
What was Eugene Kinckle Jones’ role in social work?
Eugene Kinckle Jones was a civil rights and vocational training advocate, leading the Urban League and serving in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Black Cabinet to advise on issues affecting Black Americans during the Depression.
Why have BIPOC contributions to social work been overlooked?
Reasons include a focus on written records, cultural bias, and an emphasis on individual achievement, which marginalized the collective and community-based efforts of BIPOC leaders.
How can social work benefit from recognizing BIPOC contributions?
By incorporating strength-based approaches from Black American communities and Indigenous healing practices, social work could enrich its evidence-based practices and make them more culturally appropriate.
What is the historical significance of the Progressive Era in social work?
The Progressive Era saw the development of the Charity Organization Societies (COS) and the Settlement House Movement, both of which significantly shaped the profession of social work.
What is the “Person-in-Environment” (PIE) framework in social work?
PIE is a strengths-based approach that considers individuals within their social context, addressing both individual needs and larger social or institutional problems to promote social justice.
What does empowerment as social justice involve in social work?
Empowerment as social justice involves helping marginalized individuals and communities gain control over their lives, participate in decision-making, and advocate for equitable access to resources.
What are the key aspects of a justice-centered approach to social work?
This approach includes redistributing resources to the disadvantaged, emphasizing prevention over remediation, mutual responsibility between workers and clients, and allowing clients to define their own needs.
What is the NASW Code of Ethics’ emphasis in social work?
The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes social justice advocacy, focusing on equality and equity in the distribution of resources and ensuring all individuals have access to opportunities that promote self-determination.
How does social work as advocacy align with social justice?
Social work as advocacy involves promoting fair resource distribution, emphasizing prevention, addressing power disparities, and working with clients to shape policies that affect them.
What is the “empowerment approach” in social work?
The empowerment approach helps clients gain control over their lives by involving them in decision-making processes and working to change social structures that perpetuate oppression.
How does the “Person-in-Environment” framework contribute to social justice?
PIE focuses on understanding how individuals interact with their social environment and works to address inequities within the systems that influence their lives, promoting transformative change.
What is the role of social work in addressing social and economic justice?
Social work addresses social and economic justice by advocating for equal opportunities, redistributing resources, and promoting collective well-being through policies that consider both individual rights and community needs.
What is the “socialist position” on social and economic justice?
The socialist position prioritizes community interests over individual interests, advocating for collective action and the redistribution of resources for the common good.
What does “libertarianism” argue regarding social and economic justice?
Libertarianism emphasizes individual self-interest and minimal government intervention, arguing that personal freedom leads to the best outcomes for all.
How do social workers balance values in their practice?
Social workers balance values by advocating for frameworks that prioritize the welfare of individuals and communities, aiming for fairer social outcomes and ensuring policies are shaped by values of empowerment, dignity, and worth.
What is the definition of advocacy in social work?
Advocacy in social work is the act of representing or defending individuals, groups, or causes, often focusing on improving social justice. It involves defending or representing others, particularly marginalized communities.
(References: Barker, 2014; Jansson, 2016; Schneider & Lester, 2001)
How is advocacy integrated into social work practice?
Advocacy is a central aspect of social work practice, incorporated through the unified model where it is not seen as an occasional task but as an ongoing part of addressing systemic issues and promoting social justice.
(Reference: Unified Model of Advocacy)
What are the four levels of advocacy in the Unified Model?
Individual: Assisting clients in obtaining services or benefits.
Group: Representing collective interests of communities.
Organizational: Engaging with institutions to change policies.
Community and Policy-Level: Working at various levels to change laws or policies affecting groups.
What is the difference between case advocacy and cause advocacy?
Case Advocacy focuses on individual needs (e.g., helping a client secure housing or services).
Cause Advocacy works on larger-scale systemic changes (e.g., advocating for policy changes in healthcare).
(Reference: Unified Model)
What are the six stages of advocacy practice?
Getting Involved
Understanding the Issues
Planning
Advocating
Evaluating
Ongoing Monitoring
What is the purpose of the “Getting Involved” stage in advocacy?
This stage is driven by moral outrage or personal experience, prompting an advocate to commit time and energy to address an injustice or systemic issue.
(Reference: Stage 1 of Advocacy Practice)
What is involved in the “Understanding the Issues” stage of advocacy?
This stage involves identifying the issue at hand, analyzing its root causes, recognizing who benefits and who is harmed, and understanding the complexity of the problem.
(Reference: Stage 2 of Advocacy Practice)
What are the key components of the “Planning” stage in advocacy?
Identifying clear goals.
Selecting targets (decision-makers).
Understanding the opposition and potential barriers.
Building alliances and engaging stakeholders.
(Reference: Stage 3 of Advocacy Practice)
What actions are involved in the “Advocating” stage?
Direct actions such as writing letters, meeting with policymakers, organizing protests, and media campaigns. Persistence and strategic communication are key.
(Reference: Stage 4 of Advocacy Practice)
What is the purpose of the “Evaluating” stage in advocacy?
This stage assesses the effectiveness of advocacy efforts by comparing outcomes with goals, gathering feedback, and adjusting strategies if necessary to ensure the desired change.
(Reference: Stage 5 of Advocacy Practice)
How does the Unified Model of Advocacy differ from generalist social work practice?
The Unified Model focuses on systemic change through advocacy at multiple levels (individual, group, community), while generalist social work focuses more on individual casework and immediate needs.
(Reference: Unified Model vs. Generalist Social Work)
What is the “Ongoing Monitoring” stage in advocacy?
Advocacy efforts require continuous monitoring to sustain change, identify new issues, and ensure that progress is maintained over time.
(Reference: Stage 6 of Advocacy Practice)
What ethical considerations are crucial in advocacy practice?
Advocacy should always be grounded in social justice and fairness.
Ethical boundaries must be maintained, balancing client interests and social values.
Professional conduct should avoid political bias and focus on human dignity.
(Reference: Ethical Considerations)
What are some challenges in advocacy practice?
Resistance to Change from power structures.
Resource Limitations (time, money, political capital).
Balancing Competing Interests when advocating for marginalized groups.
(Reference: Advocacy Practice Challenges)
How does advocacy practice extend beyond national boundaries?
Advocacy can be applied globally to promote human rights, address international policy, and support marginalized groups worldwide, such as refugees or ethnic minorities.
(Reference: Advocacy in a Global Context)
What is the importance of Ongoing Monitoring in advocacy?
Ongoing monitoring ensures that advocacy results are maintained, and it helps in identifying opportunities for future actions or adjustments. This continuous effort is essential for long-term social justice and sustaining progress.
(Reference: Ongoing Monitoring Stage)
What role does political polarization play in advocacy?
Political polarization can complicate advocacy efforts, as different political ideologies may lead to shifting policies, making advocacy strategies more challenging.
(Reference: Political Polarization)
How does wealth influence advocacy and policy?
Wealthy individuals and corporations can disproportionately influence policy decisions, often creating laws that favor the rich and complicating advocacy efforts for social justice.
(Reference: Wealth’s Growing Influence)
What is advocacy in social work?
Advocacy in social work is the act of promoting or defending a cause, and it involves creating change to address social issues
such as discrimination, oppression, and inequality. It is about speaking out on behalf of individuals or groups who are unable to advocate for themselves.
What is the role of advocacy in social work practice?
Advocacy in social work is central to promoting social justice, and it involves not only helping individual clients but also working at broader levels to address systemic inequities and social injustices.
What are the core values of social work advocacy?
The core values include promoting social justice by challenging oppression, advocating for equity and fairness, supporting human dignity, and working to eliminate discrimination and address systemic inequalities.
What is the difference between social justice and equality?
Social justice ensures everyone has equal access to rights, opportunities, and resources, while equality is about providing the same amount of resources or opportunities to everyone.
Equity, a related concept, means providing resources based on individual needs to overcome historical and systemic barriers.
What historical figures contributed to the foundation of advocacy in social work?
Pioneers like Jane Addams, who advocated for poverty, immigrant rights, and child labor reform, laid the groundwork for social work’s focus on changing structural inequalities, not just providing services.
What are the four main models of advocacy in social work?
Case Advocacy – Focuses on individual clients’ rights and needs.
Cause Advocacy – Aims at broad social change through community organizing and policy advocacy.
Class Advocacy – Targets the needs of a specific social group or class, such as low-income workers or racial minorities.
Policy Advocacy – Focuses on influencing laws and regulations to address social justice issues.
What skills are needed for effective social work advocacy?
Key skills include effective communication, building coalitions and networks, understanding the policy process, and strategic planning to ensure advocacy efforts are well-organized and impactful.
What are some barriers to advocacy in social work?
Barriers include institutional resistance, bureaucratic inertia, political pushback from lawmakers, and personal and professional risks like burnout or professional isolation.
What is the ultimate goal of social work advocacy?
The ultimate goal is to promote structural changes that lead to more equitable and just societies by addressing social injustices and inequities through systemic efforts.
How does the concept of “equity” differ from “equality” in the context of social work advocacy?
Equality involves providing the same resources or opportunities to everyone, while equity ensures that resources and opportunities are distributed based on the needs of individuals to address disparities and allow everyone to thrive.
