Values Paper

Abstract

This paper discusses the values that I have learned from my family and the society
that we live in today. It shares my own experiences that have influenced me on a daily
basis and in my social work practices. This paper also refers to the code of ethics and
how it relates back to my own life situations. I discuss the reasons of why I could not
work with certain populations and the factors causing that. Concluding the paper,
summing up what values established for me and the ones that I need to work on to
become a well rounded social worker.

Values Paper

The values that I posses will be helpful to me as I practice social work, one being
the respect I have towards others. As a social worker, we have to be mindful of how we
treat our colleagues, as well as our patients. I always treat them with respect and refrain
from negative criticism against fellow colleagues. I am open minded and understanding
of others and their point of view and attributes they bring to the profession. Another
moral value that I hold is dignity and worth of others. I treat others with care, concern
and respect. I am very understanding of individual differences and cultural and ethnic
diversity. As a social worker, I feel that I will make contributions that will benefit society
and improve the lives of my clients.
One of the values that social workers display is their service to humanity, which is
a service to others. I have always been one to serve others, I feel that serving others is
more important to me than self-interest, I always put others needs ahead of my own.
Knowing that social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their time,
according to the Code of Ethics pleases me because I enjoy giving back to those in need.
Social justice is another key value that I hold, I recognize the need to help
underprivileged, vulnerable populations, such as homeless, those struggling with
substance abuse issues or victims of domestic violence. I have a strong desire to improve
the lives of those who are less fortunate or unable to advocate for themselves.
Personally, I display a great deal of integrity, which is very important when it comes to
becoming a social worker. I am honest, responsible and ethical at all times. My clients
can trust that I will not betray them nor their confidentiality, unless I am required to do so
in certain circumstances by law, in particular cases such as suicide. I will not only act

Values Paper

with integrity with my clients but with my colleagues and other professionals. This
means holding them accountable if they are gossiping about a client.
The situations that I have dealt with have helped shape my values and support my
belief in the social work values. One of them is discrimination; I am biracial and feel
that I have been discriminated against on several occasions. I have been taught that you
treat everyone the same, no matter race, socioeconomic background, religion, age,
gender, sexual orientation etc. I have been exposed to family members who are both
physically and mentally disabled and witnessed them struggle with discrimination
because of their disability. My uncle is a quadriplegic, and it is very difficult to take him
certain places because they cannot accommodate him nor can he get in because they do
not offer handicapped accessibility. This is discriminating against those who are in a
wheelchair; this is unacceptable in our world today. It has been very difficult for him to
obtain employment because of his disability, he is not mentally disabled just physically
disabled, but because of this he cannot find a job. He has the ability to do many jobs
especially when it comes to technology because he is able to use a computer, with todays
use of technology there should be some type of employment he could gain. This is
disheartening because this is discriminating against someone that has a physical
disability, not looking at his or her skills and talents they could offer. I know that as a
social worker, I understand the value of every human life, regardless of their background
or beliefs. I have to show respect the differences we may have in our personal beliefs,
taking into account ethnic and cultural diversity. I know that there will be many times
where I may have to deal with my own bias against a particular population. I know
during these situations I have to put aside my feelings for the sake of helping my client,

Values Paper

which leads me into the fact that the most trying time will be if I have to work with a
pedophile.
I think that I would have a difficult time serving or advocating for pedophiles.
The reason being is I fear I would not have an understanding or any kind of sympathy for
these predators. They have taken advantage of innocent children who have no voice or
the means to fight for themselves. I feel that I would feel disgust at their sexual
proclivities. With this being said I know that social workers primary responsibility is to
improve the wellbeing of clients. However, I would be responsible to the larger society
or specific legal obligations, which supersede the loyalty owed to clients, and they need
to be advised. An example of my position, which is required by law, is to report if a
client has abused a child. In a case where a pedophile came to divulged information, and
me I would have to report this person under the law. I know that most pedophiles do not
reach out for help because of this law; they know that if they were to go see a social
worker they would have to report them. I feel that is why many of them do not get the
help that they truly need, the fear of going to jail.
I have learned through media, friends, family, and school that pedophiles are very
sick people and were acting out due to the abuse they faced in their childhood, as a way
to escape from reality. I just always viewed them as very disturbed and disgusting. Why
would they ever hurt an innocent child and what makes them even want to have sex
with a child. I was brought up to accept everyone and forgive. I am not sure I could look
at a pedophile through that lens. Growing up with a Christian background and
understanding, I still feel that due to the severity of this act I would struggle having an
open mind or not judging this type of client. I would be able to assist this client if they

Values Paper

have already been reported and are trying to stop this crime. The reason I say this is that
I know if they come to me and their crime has not been reported I have to follow the laws
and make that call. With that being said, I would have to follow the ethical codes stated
in the NASW Code of Ethics that will help me serve this particular group. One Code of
Ethic that I need to consider when dealing with this population is respecting the client. I
need to make sure that I respect the client that I am representing; I need to make sure that
I refrain from stating anything negative or unprofessional. I have to be mindful that I am
primarily responsible to promote my client; my clients interests are the most important.
As I have stated previously if my client has abused a child and no report has been made, I
have to take it upon myself to turn that client over to authorities. I have to make sure that
my client is not going to harm himself or others after reaching out for help. The second
code of ethic I have to look at when dealing with this type of clients is conflicts of
interest. I need to be alert to and refrain from conflicts of interest that could potentially
interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and judgment. As a social worker, it
is my job to inform clients when a real or potential conflict of interest arises and take
reasonable steps to resolve the issue in a way that makes the clients interests primary as
well as protects them. In certain cases, the protections of a client may require terminating
the professional relationship and properly referring the client to another social worker or
agency. I also have to make sure that I do not take advantage of my client and pushing
my views or religious views on them.
If it were possible, and I could not represent my client due to my strong views on
them being a pedophile I can respectfully refer them to someone else that may be better
for them. In this case, it is because of my religious and moral standing. If I felt I could

Values Paper

not give them the proper care without placing judgment upon them, then I need to make
sure that they seek proper help. My goal is to protect my client even if I feel I cannot
have a professional relationship because of our conflict of interest. I will make my patient
aware of the issue in a way that does not make them feel at fault. As a social worker we
need to be mindful of our clients and that we do not blame them because we are having a
difficult time servicing them. When doing this part of the assignment it has affected my
decision to continue on my path to becoming a social worker. My future plans are to
work with individuals in providing counseling maybe in a private practice setting. I
know no matter what level of social work I decide upon I have to make sure that I adhere
to a professional code of ethics.
As I review the 5 core values of social work, it makes me realize that I am making
the right decision on pursuing my degree in social work. As I reflect on all of them I feel
even more confident in my decision. When I think about service to humanity, I know that
this is exactly who I am as a person. I am always trying to serve others and putting
others needs ahead of mine. I know that this is not always going to be comfortable. I
will need to seek advice from my supervisor in dealing with my own personal issues that
may arise. According to the Code of Ethics the National Association of Social Workers
will encourage me to volunteer a portion of my time, which I feel is something that I
would do without hesitation.
When it comes to social justice, which is another key value of social work, I
realize that my mission is to help underprivileged and vulnerable populations. As a social
worker, I will inherit a desire to impede the lives of those who are not as fortunate as I am
and may not have the ability to advocate for themselves. According to the Code of

Values Paper

Ethics, I could be focusing on unemployment, poverty, and other forms of social

injustice. I also will have to understand the value of every human life, not judging their
background or beliefs and those of my clients. There will be a lot of times where I have
to deal with my own biases against a particular population. This can be a huge struggle,
but I have to put those feelings aside for the purpose of helping my clients. My clients
have the right to share their beliefs and issues, even if I cannot always know what is best
for them in specific situations. These are times where you can collaborate with your
supervisor and decide what may be best, without breaching patient confidentiality.
As I stated earlier, integrity is a very high value I hold, it means being honest, responsible
and ethical at all times. I will always be trustworthy and will never betray client
confidentiality, unless I am required to do so in certain circumstances by law. I will not
only act with integrity, but I will promote this value in my colleagues, and other
professionals. If a colleague is acting without and gossiping about a client, it is my job to
bring my concerns to the attention of our supervisor.
In conclusion, the last value that I have to possess is competence, that means to
practice in my area of expertise and do not misrepresent my skills or experience to gain
power. From my experiences I have face and went through, I find it to be beneficial to
have new outlooks and values on life. However, I plan on learning through the code of
ethics more about being a excellent social worker and through the people I will encounter
daily. I will continue to pursue my education and knowledge in the area of social work.
My lifelong goal is to become successful in the field of social work.

Values Paper