My core values are compassion, empathy, and respect. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and has the right to be heard and understood. I also think it is essential to be open-minded and respectful of others, even if we disagree with them.
My fundamental morals were instilled in me at a young age by my parents. They taught me that it was essential to always be kind and understanding towards others, no matter who they were or what they had done. I remember one time in elementary school; I fought with another student. My parents sat me down and talked to me about how it was essential always to try and see things from the other person’s perspective and always to be respectful, even when I didn’t agree with someone. Those ethics have stayed with me throughout my life and have been a guiding force in my career as a social worker. I have seen firsthand how important it is to be compassionate and respectful towards others, especially during tough times (Jay Miller et al.,2020). In my work with clients, I have often seen how a simple act of compassion can make all the difference in someone’s life. I remember one client, in particular, going through a tough time. She had been through a lot of trauma and struggled to make ends meet. I sat with her and listened to her story, and I could see how much she needed someone to be there for her. I didn’t try to fix her problems or give her advice; I just listened and offered my support. That simple act of compassion meant the world to her, and I am so glad I could be there for her in her time of need. I believe they are some of the most important values we can hold as individuals and as a society. Too often, people quickly judge and criticize others without taking the time to understand their situation (Hagues et al.,2021). If we can all learn to be a little more compassionate and understanding towards others, it would make the world a better place.
My basic principles align with the social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. I believe that all people deserve compassion and empathy and should be treated with respect. These values are essential in social work because they provide a foundation for helping others. Social workers should be concerned and understanding and always respect every person’s dignity and worth. For example, the Strengths Perspective emphasizes recognizing clients’ strengths rather than focusing solely on their weaknesses. This aligns with my value of compassion, as it requires social workers to see clients in a more positive light (Jay Miller et al.,2020). Additionally, the Ecosystems Perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex web of factors that impact clients’ lives. This aligns with my value of empathy, as it requires social workers to see the world from their client’s perspectives and understand their challenges. The code of ethics specifically mentions the need for social workers to show compassion and empathy towards clients and to treat them with respect and dignity.
My main principles align with community effort ethics. However, I think there are areas where my values may diverge slightly. For example, social work values may emphasize social justice and advocacy more than my morals (Loughran, 2018). Additionally, social work values may place a greater emphasis on working with diverse populations and those who are most vulnerable. In comparison, my ethics may focus more on working with people struggling with addiction or mental health issues. Overall, though, I think my core values align pretty closely with public work values.
As a social employee, I value my central standards. I am interested in working with diverse populations and plan to work in a clinical situation in the future (Hagues et al.,2021). I have had practicum and volunteer experiences working with clients with mental health issues, which has helped me understand these values’ importance in social work. I believe that using these values can help my clients feel understood and respected and work towards their goals.
These values have been a part of my life since I can remember. I was raised in a household where my parents emphasized the importance of caring for others. As I grew older, I saw firsthand the difference that compassionate and empathetic people could make in the lives of those around them. This inspired me to pursue a career in social work, where I could help others more directly (Hagues et al.,2021). While these values have led me to where I am today, I recognize that they can also pose challenges. Compassion fatigue is a natural phenomenon, and it is essential to be aware of the signs to prevent burnout. Additionally, it can be challenging to remain objective when working with clients who are experiencing emotional distress. However, I believe these challenges can be overcome with self-care and a commitment to one’s values.
My morals have been challenged in my life through school and work experiences. I have experienced bullying and discrimination, which have led me to question why people act the way they do (Banks et al.,2020). I have also seen firsthand the effects of poverty and inequality and how they can create difficult circumstances for people. Despite these challenges, I have always tried to remain faithful to my values, which have helped me become a better person.
There may be areas of variance between my values and public work morals that could affect my ability to practice in my chosen field. For example, I may have more individual worth placed on self-care and self-regulation than collective exertion ethics (Hagues et al.,2021). Additionally, I may have a different perspective on diversity, oppression, and privilege than what is taught in social labour. These areas of difference could affect my ability to effectively work with clients and adhere to the ethical principles of the social work profession.
References
Banks, S., Cai, T., de Jonge, E., Shears, J., Shum, M., Sobočan, A., … & Weinberg, M. (2020). Ethical challenges for social workers during Covid-19: A global perspective. International Federation of Social Workers. https://dro.dur.ac.uk/33939/1/33939.pdf
Hagues, R. J., Cecil, D., & Stoltzfus, K. (2021). The experiences of German social workers working with refugees. Journal of Social Work, 21(1), 46-68. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1468017319860305
Jay Miller, J., Lee, J., Shalash, N., & Poklembova, Z. (2020). Self-compassion among social workers. Journal of Social Work, 20(4), 448-462. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1468017319829404
Loughran, H. (2018). Counselling skills for social workers. Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315145853/counselling-skills-social-workers-hilda-loughran
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