#guamindependence

[klieglight]

Professional Ethics, Part One

The quote of the day is from On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder: "Professions can create forms of ethical conversation that are impossible between a lonely individual and a distant government. If members of professions think of themselves as groups with common interests, with norms and rules that oblige them at all times, then they can gain confidence and indeed a certain kind of power. Professional ethics must guide us precisely when we are told that the situation is exceptional. Then there is no such thing as 'just following orders.' If members of the professions confuse their specific ethics with the emotions of the moment, however, they can find themselves saying and doing things that they might previously have thought unimaginable."

As I prepare to meet with one of our senators this afternoon, I have been reflecting on the NASW Code of Ethics, social work as a profession, and our importance in advocating for all forms of justice. The purpose of the meeting this afternoon is to request an 18-month extension of implementation of the Social Work Practice Act, or SWPA, on Guam. In my next post, I will provide a history of the Act, but for today I want to discuss, albeit briefly, the importance of this Act and the importance of the NASW Code of Ethics which guides our profession. 

The profession of social work continues to struggle for recognition. One of the reasons for this is social workers are not very good at letting the public know what it is we really do. Another reason is that our profession is so broad and encompasses such a wide variety of activities, it can be difficult to explain. It is the duty of every professional social worker to educate anyone and everyone as to what social workers do. I understand people want to separate work and life, but when you’re a social worker, that division disappears. If we are truly called to our profession, then it is not work...it is our destiny. In following our destiny, we each have different strengths. I, for example, am not called to clinical work. I don’t enjoy providing therapy and, therefore, I am not skilled at it. My wife, on the other hand, is one of the best clinicians I know. That is her calling. I am what we call a “macro” social worker, but as is my motto, “Micro is macro and macro is micro.” No matter your area of specialty, if you are a social worker, you work at each and every level of practice because no matter what you do, your practice has an impact on each level. 

So, the SWPA and the Code of Ethics. All jurisdictions are unique in their own ways, but Guam is unique in the sense that our island is one of the last remaining colonies. We are a colonial possession of the United States and, in so many ways, this colonial relationship plays out on a daily basis in the poor health outcomes of our population, rampant crime and drug use, and high rates of domestic violence and suicide, to name just a few of the challenges we face as a community. Having a Code of Ethics and a way to enforce that Code to create a strong, unified profession rooted in solidarity is just one way--but a powerful way--to begin addressing our challenges at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of existence. 

So, let each and every social worker read the Code of Ethics, take it’s message to heart, embrace the core social work values, and work to become not only the best professionals, but the best citizens we can become. 

Check out my video at https://youtu.be/ZD4tKDtttMI