Ethics
Photo credit BigStockPhoto Bankrx
From Classes to Cases: Education and Real-World Experience Shape Our Understanding of Social Work Ethics
Understanding ethics in social work isn’t as simple as taking a class and learning everything you need to know. The story of Maria illustrates the complexity. Read more
Photo credit BigStockPhoto sasha85ru
Ethics Alive! Artificial Intelligence: Tricks or Tools for Social Work Education and Practice
The simple fact of “using” or “not using” AI does not dictate whether social work students are acting ethically. Similarly, there are both ethical and unethical ways in which students can use a variety of technologies. Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto JoPanuwatD
Ethics Alive! Urgent Alert—Some States Have Banned Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender Minors. What Are Social Workers’ Responsibilities?
Florida, Georgia, Texas, North Dakota, Arizona, and other states have recently banned or restricted various forms of gender-affirming health care with transgender people. Social workers play important roles as advocates for access to services. Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/Maurice98
Ethics Alive! Silence Is Not Golden - Advocating for Social Justice and Responding to Retaliation
When it comes to advocacy for social justice, silence is not golden. We need to say something and do something. At the same time, we need to be mindful and strategic and prepare for possible pushback and retaliation. Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/AndreyPopov
Ethics Alive! To Be Honest... Is It Okay for Social Workers To Embellish in Job Applications and Job Interviews?
Although many people embellish their résumés and withhold relevant information, there are many good reasons for being honest with prospective employers. Being true to our values, virtues, and ethical principles means being honest with others. Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/Nik_Sorokin
Ethics Alive! Anti-Woke Laws and Social Work Ethics
With recent backlash against the term woke, anti-woke laws have been proposed in at least 17 state legislatures in 2022, and Florida enacted its own “Stop WOKE Act.” What is a social worker to do when such laws affect ability to practice ethically? Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/Wayhome Studio
Ethics Alive! Abortion Care and Social Work After Dobbs
In response to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Dr. Allan Barsky explores ethical issues for social workers in assisting those seeking abortion care but practicing in states that prohibit or restrict access to abortion-related services. Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/digitalista
Ethics Alive! Ethical Conundrums for School Social Workers in Light of Legal Restrictions on Discussing Gender and Sexuality
Ethical challenges arise when school social workers (SSWs) are faced with conflicting ethical codes, laws, and policies. In particular, this article focuses on laws restricting SSWs’ ability to discuss sexuality and gender with students. Read more
Photo credit: BigStockPhoto/Dzmitry Dzemidovich
Ethics Alive! Narrative Ethics and the Value of Storytelling
Narrative ethics is an approach to exploring ethical issues by engaging people in storytelling. It is based on social constructionism, and there is no singular objective truth. Instead, it is relational and situational. Read more
Ethics Alive! Anticipatory Dual Relationships in Social Work*
Dual relationships may be concurrent or sequential, intentional or unintentional. By anticipating dual relationships and conflicts of interest, we can plan how to navigate the ethical issues rather than simply reacting to problems after they arise. Read more
Want to reach social workers & social work students?
Contact Linda Grobman about advertising and marketing opportunities.