ial worklu alreacly knowthe cnd of thelacement, .docx

ial work'l
:u alreacly know
the cnd of the
lacement, volun-
ribe the imp:rct
veen Ms. Gener-
oup take a look
olved with. For
a Ms. Advocate
C6rye*rz
SocrAl JusTrcE AND
Aovo cACY PnecTrc E
Social tuorkers bar,rc a. prokssional respotrsibility to ntake .. .
cboices
cutd to participate in the broad,er societal clebate trt resoltrc
issu.es c{'
social cbctnge. D. Iatriclis, Social Pctliclt
Mara Liasson, repofter for National Public Raclio, startecl a
presentation
to a NASV PoliticalAction Insritute by clefining her subject.The
worcl
"politics," she saicl,"comes from1tro1l.s, a Greek worcl

meaning cornmu-
nitv and /ics, meaning srnall, blooclsucking insects. politics is
thus a
clomain of liI'e controlled by a gfollp of people leeching off the
rest of
us" (Liasson, 1996). Ltnfortunarely for the field of social work
and the
llnitecl States at large, this facetious clefinition is widely
acceptecl.
The belief that politics and thus advocacy is a clirty arena,
popu-
lated by the worst kinds of people, ancl something that no
clecent per-
son woulcl want to be associated with, is ali too common in
social
work. There is, howevet, another view of politics. A political
scientist,
Harold Lasswell (I936),wrote that politics is the process iry
which it
is decided "who gets what, u,hen ancl how" (p. 5). pr_ilitics, in
this vicw,
is simpll' a tool that can be nsecl for good or bacl purposes.
Iteisch and Jani (2012) provide a ser of ideas that infbrm their
more-academic approach to understanding the term ,,politics',:
they
focns on how pou'er dillbrences are created ancl perpetuatecl by
insti-
tutions, language, and other socially constf,uctecl actions. They
also
inclucle in their perspective how power affects the allocation of
all
aspects of the social n elfare entcrprise , fiom worker-client
relations to

the selection of policies.
A similar, though simplifiecl, version of this clefinition is that
poli-
tics (or policy making) is "deciding how stuff gets spreacl
arotmcl,,,and
23
So<:t'tt. [t-;s'rtt;I ANI) Al)vocAct PRA<;r'tcc
theunclerll'ingprocessesthatSuppoftthatclecisitlnprogess'Theonl
y
questiotl, then, is rvhether social wofkers (or any othef gfotlp of
incli-
vich,rals with common interests) want to help make thesc
ciccisious' I1
voll ltre not the clecision maker yourself' then advocacy is tlte
pfocess
bv whicir lrlu help make the clecisions on these matters'
FormerTexas
stirte senator ancl m;ryor of FortVbrth,Texas' Mikc Moncriet is
foncl of
sa,vir-rg that social *',,rko., ancl politicians hlrve a comlnon
goarl:to help
p.npf. Barbar;r Mikulski, If'ssetlator from Marvlancl'
says"'Politics is

,ir.rpfy social work with power" (Reisch' 1995' p' 1)' If social
workers
wzrilt to assist clients, it is imperative that enough of them afe
active
ancl capable arlvocates in the policy-making arena to ensure
that things
happen.
Soci;rlworkersnrustbeinvolveclinaclvocac,vpf'tcticeifclients'
situations afe to improve' If social u'ol'kers do not act as
aclvocxtes'
their policy icleas aucl, even rlore importantly' their values w-
ill not bc
r.lrrerent"cl in policy-rnaking circles' When social workers
engltgc in
".lun.u.y
practice , they bring with them specializecl kuowleclgc about
the human conclition ancl a belief that service provision to
clients rnLlst
consicler inclivicluals within theil environment' Social workers
alstr
waltt to lircus on client strengths, fathef than on pathologV
When
social r,vorkers share their knowledge ancl belief.s, clecision
makers are

exposecl to a liesh anel itnportant point of view'
Decisionrnakers,.tfeeilcountereclinmanyclifferentplaces.ancl
not just in the legislative branch of the Flovernlnent of in the
top stmtit
of other org,anizatiol-ls' l)ecisiotl nrakers can be fottncl
everpvhere in
organizaticlnsbecattseevenltrw-levelworkerslravetoiiltefpfet
ambigttotts regul;ttions, rules, ancl ctlstonls in their place of
employ-
ment (Lipskl', 1980). Organizational culture may mitke sotne
choices
,.obvitltts,',eveniftheyrunCollnteftoclietrtinterests.'Iheseclecisio
ns
are jttst as appropriate for ach'ocacy pfttctice as is passiug a
law'
Becattsc values are sttch ?rn irnpoftant compoilent of social
work-
crs' aclvocacy pfactice, it is important to icleutify the source of
these
valttes'Tlrenextsectionloo|isatNASW'sprof"essionalCocleofEthi
cs
toexploretheconncctionbetweenprof.essitlnalresponsibility(as
clefinecl in the NASV cocle) ancl advocilcy practice' (-web
sites for
otlrercoclesofethicsareprovicleclintlrischapter,sl)iscttssitlrrQtte
s-

tions ancl Exercises.)
Anvt'rc.'rt.t' tN lHt: N,'r'rt
ADVOCACY IN T
wl
According to social
Mar-vatrne N{ahaffeY,
processl is a valtte s'
skills. makes the difl
the best Places to lt
is in thc Code of F
social q'orkers in tk
There are seYel
that inclicirte that b
sional social lvorkr
most cleafl.'; "Socia
societl'. h'om local
their comtnttnities
acivocate fr-rr livinP

httm;rn neecls ancl
tuml valtles and ins
sociatr irtstice" (NAl
The cocle furt
(a) Social rvo
seeks to e
emPlovmt
basic hun
arl'are of
advocate
rlitions in
tice.
(b) Social w<
pefsons.
oppfesse
(r.04)
T'he cocle a<
(i.{)2: "Social wor

public in shaPir
Socrar Jusrrcr awo Aovocacv Pn,q.crtcr
Sec.6.02).Thus, social workers not only have an obligation to
partici-
pate actively in advocacy themselves, but also to empower
others to
do so. Social work administrators have a specific duty along
these
lines, too, according to the Code of Ethics:"Social work
administrators
should advocate within and outside their agencies for adequate
resoufces to meet clients'needs" (NAS( Sec. 3.07[a]).
Despite the specificity and clarity of the Code of Ethics, a
histori-
cal concern in the literature is that social workers do not have
the
skills necessafy to be policy advocates and to encourage others
to
shape social policy flVolk, 1981). Many blame this situation on
social
work education programs'lack of student training in these skills
(Ezell,
L993;Haynes & Mickelson,2oo9;Mary, Ellano, & Newell, 199T.
Reisch andJani (2012) add a contemporary analysis of the issues

involved in lack of student preparation. They argue that social
work
educators need to stfess the development of cfitical
consciousness
regarding power differentials on policies, promote theoretical
per-
spectiyes that emphasize change and con-flict, and question the
undef-
pinnings of intervention research. Reisch and lani acknowledge
that
students would be resistant to these measllfes because they
often have
limited knowledge about politics, and are perplexed by the
strain
between an emphasis on social justice and the desire to practice
objec-
tively validated social work. Students also lack the skills of
conflict
management, and so do not want to be active in inherently
conflictual
afenas.
It is not only students who stay away from politics and training
in
advocacy, but also others: practitionefs, elren administrators of
human
seryices nonprofits, afe not flocking to the banner of
advocacy.Accord-
ing toAlmog-Bar and Schmid (2o14),"Most studies reveal low
levels of
advocary, indicating that political advocacy is marginal and

limited in
scop€. Resources afe not allocated and very few staff positions
are
assigned for this plupose" (p.7).
Despite the lack of formal advocacy skills training for social
work
students and the cuffent low level of advocacy effott that
nonprofit
human service otganizations put fofth, it is vital to learn how to
approach issues relating to the denial of social justice, and it is
impor-
tant to continue to seek knowledge about advocacy and learn its
place
in the social work profession.The next s€ction examines what
social
Socral JL
workers are tfying to i
the goal of social lust:
seerns to keep socieq
socrAlJUsTrcE
SOCIAL '!
The 2008 NASW Code
fession: service, social j
tance of human relatic
description of these va

important to take a clo
is the value that most (
The Code of Ethk
tice " (NAS'W 2008, Ethi(
principle means by dt
particulady with and o
als and groups of pec
focused primarily on is
and other forms of so
sensitivity to and knon
diversity. Social worker
services, and resourcer
ticipation in decision n
ciples).
The NASW Code r
issues for social worke
The concept of "social
ever, as it means diffet
difficult for social wod

to work for social just
Other references are a
stand the term more fi.
The Social Vork
as "an ideal condition
same basic rights, prc
benefits" (Barker, 2003,
26
i
[uo.o." pnacrlcr
I
pnly have an obligation to partici-
p, but also to empower others to
fave
a specific tlury along these
Ithics:
"Social work administrators
fle their agencies for adequate
ISW sec. 3.07[a]).
fy of the Code of Ethics. a histori-

isocial workers do not have the
[tes and to encoufage others to
y blame this situation on social
ent training in rhese skills (Ezell,
; Ellano, & Newell, I99r.
temporafy analysis of the issues
on. They argue that social work
ment of cfitical consciousness
ilicies, promote theoretical per-
lconflict.
and question the under-
fisch
and Jani acknowledge that
feasures
because they often have
1ld are perplexed by the strain
land the desire ro pl?ctice objec-
I also lack the skills of conflict
B active in inherently con-flictual
tray from politics and training in
P,
eYen administrators of human
Ithe banner of advocacy.Accorcl-
[,Iost studies reveal low levels of

Pcacy is marginal and limited in
fro
vev few staff positions are
gl skills training for social work
'advocacy effon that nonprofit
[h, it is vital to learn how to
pf social justice, and it is impor-
but advocacy andleatn its place
it section examines what social
Socrar Jusrrcr rN ruE NASW Conn or Ersrcs
workers are trying to accomplish with their efforts. Identi$zing
with
the goal of social justice can help us all overcome the inertia
that
seems to keep society and our peers stuck in place.
SOCIALJUSTTCE rN THE NAITONAL ASSOCTAfiON OF
SOCIAL WORIGRS' CODE OF ETHICS
The 2OO8 NAS( Code of Ethics sets forth six core values of
the pro-
fession: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the pefson,
impor-
tance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. A
complete
description of these values is beyond the scope of this book, but
it is
important to take a closer look at the value of social justice
because it
is the value that most directly encoufages advocacy practice.
The Code of Ethics states, "social workers challenge social

injus-
tice" (NAS{ 2008, Ethical Principles).The code elaborares on
what this
principle means by declaring, "social workers pursue social
change,
particulafly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed
individu-
als and groups of people. Social workers' social change efforts
are
focused primarily on issues of poveffy, unemployment,
discrimination,
and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to
promote
sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and
ethnic
diversity. social workers strive to ensure access to needed
information,
services, and resources; equality of opportunity, and meaningful
par-
ticipation in decision making for all people" (NASV 2008,
Ethical prin-
ciples).
The NASW Code explicitly mentions some of the main,
concrete
issues for social workers who want to work for grcatil social
justice .
The concept of "social justice" is difficult to define
definirively, how-
ever, as it means different things to different people. Making
mattefs
difficult for social workers who want to follow the code of
Ethics'call
to wofk for social justice is that the code does not define the
term.

Other references are aval/iable, however, and step in to help us
under-
stand the term more fully.
The Social Work Dictionarjt, fot example, defines social justice
as "an ideal condition in which all members of a society have
the
same basic rights, pfotections, oppornrnities, obligations, ancl
social
benefits" (Barker, 2OO3,pp. 4O4-4O5). Finn and Jacobson
(200g), rn The
t-l
SoC]AL JTISTICE AND ADVOCACY PRACTICE
DrsrRtnurtvr J
Encycloped,ia of Social Work, give a wide range of
perspectives on
social justice. They provide a capsule review of utilitarian,
libenarian,
egalitarian, racial contract, human rights, processual, and
capabilities
pefspectives.Van Soest (|995) discusses thrce views of social
justice:
iegal justice, the first view, is concerned with what a person
owes soci-
ety. Commutative justice, the second view, is concerned with
what peo-

ple owe each other. Distributive itlstice, the third view, is
concerned
with whar society owes its members.The thifd view is the type
of social
justice most often discussed in a social work context. The
relative
importance of these three types of justice fuels many policy
debates'
DISTRIBUTTVE JUSTICE
one of the most impoftant elements of the struggle over social
welfare
policy is the difference in interpretation of the term
"distributive jus-
ticel, Distfibutive justice "concefns the justified distribution of
benefits
and burdens in society. . . .The distribution of benefits and
burdens is
a cooperative social process sffuctufecl by various moml' legal'
ideo-
logical, and cultural principles" (Iatridis, 1993,p.62).Thus,
politics,"the
process of distfibutiflg stuff," is the way that distfibutive
justice either

is or is not made a rcaliq; therefofe, the debates of political
philoso-
phers deserwe considerable attention from social workers
(Reamer'
199D.
Allingham (2014) discusses four main theories of distributive
jus-
tice.The first, iustice as fairness (associated withJohn Rawls)'
consid-
efs any clistribution of goods as if the pefsons with the least get
more
of the cuffent distribution in order to bring them up to the level
of
others. The second, equality of resources (associated with
Dworkin),
indicates that a distfibution is fair if evefyone has the same
amount of
fesources from which to live.
The third viewpoint (linked to libertarian theofists), that of
com-
mon ownefship, states that a distribution is just if everyone
starts off
at the same level but allows for individuals to make voluntary
tfansac-

tions that may alter this initial beginning. Finally, the
entitlements the-
ory of Robert Nozick defines a just distribution as one that
comes
about from voluntafy transfers of resources. In this situation, all
inequality is accePtable.
Although the literature on this tol
section on two of the four approaches
John Rawls and that of Robert Nozick,
damentally opposing. . . . In essence, R
Nozick emphasizes liberty" (Allinghat
Robert Nozick each penned very infl
distributive justice in the early i970s.i
the concePt have Provided a great d
that time.
John Rawls's Views on Distribr
Rawls (1971) asks his readers to imagil
the rules for a societY knowing t
"assigned" different places in society o

ticipants in this thought experiment I
within the rules they develop, but tht
society they are going to be given.Th
ignorance. A person may be assigne<
elite, with many resorrces and privil
with vefy few material resources. Ho
to exist, the rules agreed to have to a
veil of ignorance about one's ftiture a
afglres that people will want to cfeat
if only to pfotect themselves from bei
uation.According to Rawls, this set of
be basecl on two main principles.Th'
son is to have an equal right to the m(
basic liberties compatible with a s
(Rawls, p. 302).This ensures that all a
text of the rules, which are address
principle states that "social and e
arranged so that they are both (a) t<

aclvantaged and @) attached to offict
considerations of fair equality of optr
The second PrinciPle is an esPt
is not seen as an evil in and of itself,
be harnessed for the good of all.An
jjones2
Typewritten Text
28
jjones2
Typewritten Text
r PRACTICE
fange of pefspectiYes on
lt/ of utilitarian, libertarian,
focessual, and capabilities
ree views of social justice:
h what a pefson owes soci-
concerned with what Peo-
e thifd view, is concerned
rdview is the type of social
york context. The relative
rcls many policy debates.

fICE
rruggle over social welfare
ithe term "distributive jus-
ied distribution of benefits
ofbenefits and burdens is
various moral, legal, ideo-
3, p. 62).Thus, politics, "the
t distributive justice either
ebates of political philoso-
t social workers (Reamer,
lheories of distributive jus-
i with John Rawls), consid-
rns with the least get more
lg them up to the level of
associated with Dworkin),
ne has the same amount of
ian theorists), that of com-
s just if eYeryone starts off
to make voluntary transac-
Inally, the entitlements the-
bution as one that comes

fces. In this situation, all
Dlstntsuttvr Justrcn
Although the literature on this topic is extensive, we focus in
thisa
section on two of the four approaches described byAllingham:
that of
John Rawls and that of Robert Nozick,because these arcthe
most"fun-
damentally opposing. . . .In essence, Rawls emphasizes equality
while
Nozick emphasizes liberty" (Allingham, 2O14, p.4). John Rawls
and
Robert Nozick each penned very influential works on the
subject of
distibutive justice in the early 197Os.Their different
intefpfetations of
the concept have provided a great deal of matefial for debate
since
that time.
John Rawls's Views on Distributive Justice
Rawls (1971) asks his readers to imagine that they are going to
develop
the rules for a society knowing that people will be randomly

,,assigned" different places in society once the "game of life"
begins. Par-
ticipants in this thought experiment must agree ahead of time to
live
within the rules they develop, but they do not know what
position in
society they are going to be given.This is what Rawls calls the
veil of
ignorance. A person may be assigned a position among the
wealthy
elite, with many fesources and privileges, or a position among
those
with very few material resources. However, for this type of
inequality
to exist, the mles agreed to have to allow for the inequality'
Given the
veil of ignorance about one's future assigned position in
sociery, Rawls
afgues that people will want to cfeate the fairest set of rules
possible,
if only to pfotect themselves from being placed into a very
difficult sit-
uation.According to Rawls, this set of"the fairest possible
rules"would

be based on two main principles.The frst principle is that "each
per-
son is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system
of equal
basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for
all"
@awls, p. 302).This ensufes that all afe tfeated equally within
the con-
text of the rules, which are addressed in the second principle.
This
principle states that "social and economic inequalities are to be
arranged so that they are both (a) to the gfeatest benefit of the
least
advantaged and (b) attached to offices and positions open to all
under
considerations of fair equalrty of opportunity" S"awls, p'3O2)'
The second principle is an especially important point.Inequality
is not seen as an evil in and of itself, but rather as a condition
that can
be harnessed for the good of all. An example may help illustrate
this
29

SocIAL Jusrtcr exo Alvoc'tcv Pnacttcl
idea:The rules set forth under the veil of ignorance might allow
some
positions in society to be more appealing than others; examples
for the
former might be those with higher pay' better working
conditions' and
so on. In the case of physicians, for example' we wa'nt very
capable
pfactitioners because thty m"kt life-and-death decisions that
fequire
lonsiderable levels of skill and many years of difficult training.
Because
there are a timitecl number of people with the required aptitude
and
because the tfaining pfocess is arcluous' members of society
may wish
to encoufage those few people with the requisite aptitllde to
become
doctors. Furthermore, people who become physicians could earn
morethanothefswithoutbreakingthesecondprincipleiftheyare
requiredtousesomeoftheirtimetoassisttheleastadvantagedinsoci-
ety. Point b above ensufes, mofeovef, that the position of
physician is

open to everyone with the appropriate aptitude and is riot
limited by
feasons of face, gender, sociai tlu"' o' other non-merit-based
consider-
ations.
Rawls'sapproachtodistributivejusticehasconsiderableappeal
to many social workers.Those who have tried to appry his
principles
quickly fun into practical difficulties' however' No matter which
set of
des is agteed to under the veil of ignorance' even when using
Rawls's
two principles, it is difficult to determine whether that structure
is "to
the greatesl benefit of the least advantaged" and' therefore' iust'
It is
alsoseeminglyimpossible,s/ithoutdrasticinterventions'tokeepthe
children of the advantaged from maintaining their eady lead in
health,
schooling, and connections'
Robert Nozick's Views on Distributive Justice
A very different interpretation of distributive justice is set forth
by

Robert Nozick (1974; in Anarcby, State and Utopia' Nozick
argues
that Rawls and others who focus on end-states of patterns of a
distrib-
utive pfocess afe wrong' In order to maintain a fair distribution
of
fesoufces,therewouldhavetobeacentraldistfibutionmechanism.
and there is not. In other wofds' the end-state' or the point at
which
people have been assigned their positions and given the rules' is
theo-
retically a rather .qttJ Oi't'ibution of economic goods' However'
the
distribution is constantly made less equal because people put
forth
unequal effon and have unequal skills' and under Rawls's system
they
Dtsrntlurtvn Justtt
are paid according to effort and skill'The c
iry is to have government constantly redisl
In a free society, diverse persons con
new holdings arise out of the voluntary e>
sons. There is no more a distributing or

there is a distributing of mates in a socie
whom they shall marry'The result isthe
J..rion, ih"t tht different individuals in
(f{ozick, 197 4, PP' 749 -I5O)'
The ProPosed solution is a Procedt
iustice irwhich "a distribution is iust il
holdings he possesses under the distribut
simplify this theory,"From each as they ct
sen" (Nozick, P' 160;'
An example illusmates his approach
might obiect to a distribution of income
,f."*O a few (such as sports stars) witt
,rr"rry .hoore to buy tickets to football gt
football team makes alatge profit and pa
ick argues that this voluntary ffansfer o
-*yio the few is completely iust and t
through govefnmental action (coercton
point*very strongly when he smtes'"Tax

on
"
pu, with forced labof" (Nozick' 19'
inOer Nozick's aPProach' the mair
tice, then, is to set up a way for fait volt
This market should be as unfettered as
ancl followed, any result' no mafier hor
efnment's maior dutY is to ensure th
because enforcement leads to a iust t
political freedom'As long as the rules
iow"O in an election and everyone har
such a free election is just and fair' lt
who should win an election ahead
elected positions fairly-that is' to gi
types of people' Similarly' it is not iust
an'economic distribution is fair by loo
3O
3L

might allow some
examples for the
ing conditions, and
want very capable
decisions that fequife
ficult training. Because
required aptitude and
rs of society may wish
te aptitude to become
lhysicians could earn
I principle if they are
ast advantaged in soci-
osition of physician is
l and is nor limited by
rmefit-based consider-
s considerable appeal
o apply his principles
lo matter which set of
:n when using Rawls's
ef that structure is "to
d, therefore, just. It is
ventions, to keep the
lr early lead in health,
nstice
rstice is set fofth by
rtopia. Nozick argues
: pattems of a distrib-
a fair distribution of
ribution mechanism,

rr the point at which
ren the rules, is theo-
goods. However, the
me people put forth
'Rawls's system they
Drstrunurrvr JusrrcE
arc paid according to effort and skill.The only way to prevent
inequal-
ity is to have government constantly redistribute wealth.
In a free society, diverse pefsons control different fesoufces,
and
new holdings arise out of the voluntary exchanges and actions
of per-
sons. There is no more a distributing or distribution of shares
than
there is a distributing of mates in a society in which persons
choose
whom they shall mafty.The result is the product of many
individual
decisions that the different individuals involved are entitled to
make
(lrlozick, 197 4, pp. L 49 - L5O).
The proposed solution is a procedural approach to distributive
justice in which "a distribution is just if everyone is entitled to
the
holdings he possesses unde r the distribution" (Nozick, 197 4, p
.I 5 1).To
simplify this theory"From each as they choose, to each as they
are cho-
sen" (Nozick, p. 160).
An example illustrates his approach clearly.An end-state

theorist
might object to a distriburion of income that left many people
wirh lit-
tle and a few (such as spofrs stars) with much. But suppose that
the
many choose to buy tickets to football games where the stafs
play.The
football team makes alatge profit and pays the players quite
well. Noz-
ick argues that this voluntary transfer of holdings (income) from
the
many to the few is completely just and that any move to
redistribute it
through governmental action (coercion) is unjust. He makes this
last
point very sffongly when he states,"Thxation of earnings from
labor is
on a par with forced labor" (Nozick, 1974,p.169).
Under Nozick's approach, the main principle to ensure social
jus-
tice, then, is to set up a way for fair, voluntary exchanges to
take place.
This market should be as unfettered as possible. Once the rules
are set
and followed, any fesult, no matter how unequal, is socially
just. Gov-
efnment's major duty is to ensufe that eyeryone follows fbir
rules,
because enforcement leads to a just outcome. The idea is similar
to
political freedom.As long as the nrles of one-person, one-vote
are fol-
lowed in an election and evefyone has a chance to vote, the
result of

such a free election is just and fair. It is not just, however, to
decide
who should win an election ahead of time in order to distribute
elected positions faidy-that is, to give those positions to
different
types of people . Similady, it is not just to determine if the
outcome of
an economic distribution is fair by looking at the amount of
inequality
3r
Soctar JusrIcE aNo Aovocacy pR,rcrrcr
that ensues'As long as fakrures are folrowed in the marketprace,
thedistribution of money that results O ;urr.
Comparing Rawls,s and Nozick,s Views
The practical imprications of these two intefprerations of the
term,,dis_tfibutive justice " are staggering, xori.t,, formulation
wourd eriminatemany' if not alr, govefnment efforts at
redistribution and wourd returnthe country to a sysrem where
charity giving was the onry suppor-t forpeople who coulcr nor
eafn t'"i, o-r, riving.This harsh siate of affairswould mean that
social work l."tu.,
Inequality wo.rrd ...tuinry increase. It ,
would be under great duress.
fi .H:i:'".J,T*.:,,jf h*l,d;,T"T:iliTjff :Jtr#*
Rawls's view
maybebeyond#lJ,l:T:rff iJ'"#:lf :";Hnfi :::Jliiapptoach is
congruent with sociar work varues.The approach focuseson the
least advantaged memb.r, of ro.

tlXlfilll;,?*mthepracticatd'rn"dr3,?t:','"lffi rffi :'.*:
NAS* c od e of .#!Tl;:x ffi ';"#HTr:i* :?,;gnl:advantagecl
members of society.This viel
#i:r,:,#J,:*;:;::*;";:::ffi:::?ln:fl :r:,ffi ::J
viewl suppo6s the ";;;;;: :: ::l 1'" "-'"sst social workers : " [The
:siT*H##Tfr :[: Tn:? .ffi
,:lx,fffixT*a
fi: :i:
thatredistrir;;;r,:^^^^^^^^^^^^!LT:Hj$:ffi ;:T,T:ff :i,rffi
*:m:taged, and populations at risk,,(Iatridi s, 1993, p.6D.
Antioppression Framework
A more fecent ancl artetnative approach to understancling
sociar justiceemerges from the antioppressio" rru*.*ork. young
urri oif .rr^ C, qgol
;j:H.ff::"r;iffiT. rheorists ,.,.r, u, Nozrcr ",,Jo*, "lr,o
ur*,.,.
accepr,inmosr-#";:!:,ff ffi ff::'jl1T.i,?j'jr#ffi::ffi:rhermore'
distributive justice ttr.orist, jownplay
or deny difference,place insufficie't emphasis on rh. ;;; group
idendty and believe
in the abiliq, of decisr
state that the idea of e
ensure fair, equal treatr
Sometimes, they argue,
must giye way to,,the p
The elements of tf
of antioppressive prac
aroturd andoppressive

become standardized.
B
approach,AOp [antioppr
ber of social justice orier
inist, ffaryist, post-mod
constructionist, and-colo
sion of oppression and a
tlery will be missing, jus
Rawls,s and Nozick,s iclea
readings on the topic are
your thinking concerning
justice.
Before delving into ,
stand the concept,,oppres
sion happens to social gfi
"fluid and often shifting,l
Young and Allen,s identifici
systemic and structural ph
necessarily intentional. Thi
social justice advocate to lo
sors" and those who are,,d
preventing social justice frc
extended discussions of wl
which provide concrete wa)
ginalization, powedessness,
face of oppression can over
tinctive enough to be namec
E xp loit ation . Exploitat
its. Even if the workers are
32

tphce , tirc
e term"ciis-
J elitliiriltcr
:ulcl retttrt-t
sr.rpilort t01'
te of altrairs
:eat ciltress.
ic upproach
idr ttratll' uf
: tnacle tlia{
hntst oi'hir
rlch fircttse s
npfo''e their"
]g tilc (xacf
lear that tilc
s of thc leasl-
platre alri'uiig
Noneti'rtlt"sr'.

rrrkers:" |'fLrc
ctice allLl thc
rurcss ltnd tirc
atc p[{]r'gn"ltrnS
thi: ctisac{v;tn-
I socraI itl$ti{]tl
1 'tlcn
( l!)o')ti;
vls r'vlttt ;rlg,l'l<,1
:l'nriltilig ;rnd
r makittg. Frtll''
:nl tlil'fr:rcnc:c,
ty'. lnd believt:
I)t:l i Rli1tll'lill "li;st tt'tl
in the ;rbilit)' of clecislotl tlr;tkcrs t() acL imirat't'ialh" Yt;ttllg
liltd 'A'trlcll
statLi thiit tiic iclca cf r:c1ual tfcatlxLrtlt trcgan as a positive
;rpirro;lch tu
crlrirlt'ctllil,cquai"t*''ot"''trutth'lti{.infl'rc{sLll}llr{iiis{lselttfbr
encr:'
Sotltetimcs, ttrcv argtlc' iu orclelr tti rcduce opprcssion' eqrtal

trcatnretrf
mtist givr.: lva)' f() "thu potitics of diffcrEnce" (btrng ;rt'nen
rillell" p 1 1)'
-tr'he elelllentn tl tl'" alltiollprt:$sive framen'odi anrt fhe
ntc:tnirrg
of ittttloppressivc nu*"u" *0" lt'out'l" ticfinecl' 'd"'ell thotlgh
itlclts
aionl:ti xllti.opflressive practicc are clecacles olcl' thel' trave
not vet
bec0tl* stanciar<lizeetr" tl''i'-'u' (2(X)7) itldicirtrs"'l{attrler'
tlran ;t singlc
apprr.rach.A(ll' lantitauf te s$ive L-)racrtical is nll unrbrclllt
ncrtrl ltlr a nultlr-
bet tlf sttclatr ittsticc t"ti""t"tt apprtlaches ttl sociel rvork'
incirretilr54 l'cnt-
inist. Matxist, post-lLlo(Xeruist' Ilrctigetl<ll-ts' post-$trl-
xctrlralist' critkal
coii$t-rtlctii-)ilist, lttrti-coionial at-lcl anti-racist" dp li) '|'fu11-
t' in ihis ctisctts-
sjllllrlftllrpressionarrcltlticrppLessiertl.acrltrsicler.atrleanrtlrent
tlf"stlt)-
tlcti' *'ill hc flrisslng'lt'ni t'*'" no'* it"i thc- carlier sectiiixls
re5'-arciin5'"
Ita.rv}s'sarlclNtlzick,,u.t*,,ofclistribtrtil'eiLlstice.Suggestetlnel
ciitlllnal

rcadinp,son1-
trtetoXlicareprovicleclattheetttXofttrrischaptcrt(}*:xtcurl
r.ourttt.itlkingcotlcernitr"u,thisil-ilp0-ftailttopicot;rch,Ot-
.;[q:}'-{.t;l.lxlcia]
ittstlce :'-+' {rr}r4t ',rfiri()rlnfess'ion is' "wc neelcx nt} rlll<'ie
r-
llefirre dell'ilrg ittto rl'tt"tt ltl-l[i(]ppr(
stattelttaeC(lllccpt,"o1rpressitlc,.,brmganc!,{llen{199{l)stirtc,.
.(.}pllfes-
slolt happcl.,, 'o
oo'""n' groups" and the existence of sociltl sf,{rl-ll)r ir'
"thtiel atrtl ,'n"'-' nt-'uiti'*' nt*' tlonef-helcsr' real" (p 9)' ()1le
il'$trxct {){
oring anet,Altren's icientilicariou cf opprerssicn is thilt it
{)c":Lrr$ thrortg}r
s1'stl':tl-lic ax-ial $trltctllrlll phenolnena-*aspfcts of s('!cicf'''
that iti'c il(.lt
ner:essarilfinten{ional.'fl''iopo'*1"*ct{'vrillLliledintet'vcilatrlctt
gcsfht:
socral !r-tsticc nclv<>cate to kiot'; treyttncl inelivicltt"t:
*lt:.::"thc oPFre's-
scrs" atrcl tltosa r'vho x1'{' "ttrc-) {-lllprcssed" to ltlolt at
svsterlric [rat'riers
prevfntlllflsticiltljttsl-icefi.orn.ocingrealizecl.Yttuli"lgat-
rrlAlicl.l1"lrtlr.ic{t:
txtr:trciecl ,tio"..nnl.,*u tlf *.hat thc,l exit tlre {ivc Ltcrs ol.

l)1]1ll-c:l.lirllt,
wxricti;lr.llvitleC]{}{lcfetesia-
Yst{)ltlotrijtlrllpprcssilllr:fl}ipic}itati(}tl'11l,Ji-
g.illaliztltlon, 4rort'eriessness"
cttltlrtal lmpe;rla{;-sni" lttad vitl[a::trcq::' i'raclr
i'.lcs:ofopllressitxlcail{}ve!'[sptlthers'i"nt"'t*rvavs'iltlttaa':irisc
iit
tinctive enottgh to he namecl ancl cle:'cl'ibecl seperltteh''
E' x2.ltai{{r t iare Exploitation reii:rs
qts. Everl if thc w'ori<crs afe 1'raid' the
to r.lsin54 peolrlc to lnakr p-rof:
a11101111t r-lt gravtlrcl"lt is ts)t' il-I
Socrlr Jusrtcn auo Aovocacv Pnacrrcs
relationship to the income for the exploiters. Capitalism is the
mecha-
nism by which exploitation occufs.
Marginalization. Matginalization occurs when groups are
excluded-that is, kept out of meaningful social participation and
rele-
gated to lower social standing.While racial groups are often
targeted for

matginalization, other gfoups, such as the eldedy, those with
mental ill-
ness, women, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered
people, as well
as many othef gf,oups, are often oppressed using
marginalization.
Pouteflessness. Powedessness fefers to the inability to give
orders or make choices, even while being ordered and having
choices
made for them by others. Extreme powedessness results in a
culture
of silence, meaning that those who are oppressed do not speak
of their
oppression ot, at the most insidious levels of powedessness, do
not
even know they are oppressed. Indoctrination is used as a
method of
keeping the oppressed silent: they come to believe that they arc
infe-
rior, and that they deserve their place at the bottom of society.
Cultural Imperia.lism. Cultural imperialism is the process of
taking the culture that the powerful have and making it the
norm.In
this way, members of the dominant culture ignore or look down
on
nonconformists. People who follow the dominant cultural
expecta-
tions make those who do not feel different from and worse than

them-
selves.
Violence.Yiolence is an obvious form of oppression. It results
in
oppressed groups being subject to physical harm at any time and
for
no reason. News shows tell the tale of sexual violence against
women,
police violence against blacks and other minority groups, and
hate-
motiyated assaults on individuals from nlrmefous ffoups.
Thus, one approach to antioppfessive social work practice ana-
lyzes the situation to be addressed using one of more of the
types of
oppression, and works to ovefcome it or them. Barnoff (2001)
describes the difficulties of implementing this framework in
feminist
social service settings, but also provides examples of enabling
processes.It is important to note that the antioppression
framework is
Wuar Ann Socr.u'Wonrrns TnYtNr
not universally accepted at a conc
workers. Tester (2003), for exampk
antioppression framework for socii
ing example of the conceptual and

This debate is still in full swing an
way of viewing the role of social w
WIIAT ARE SOCIAT V
ACCOMPLISH W1
It is all well and good to be an advo,
a democratic society needs people t
ment in the process is good. Social
view of the desired outcomes of th(
for social work advocacy are listed
ing client needs, both material and
the minds of social worker advc
should be to "confront discrimint
inequalities" (Barker, 2O03, p. 4o5).^l
der if social workers actually belier
Research by Abbott (1988) in
tently rank higher than other profer
important social work values: resP
responsibility, commitment to indil
determination.This is true even for

as compafed to students in other
44), Social work students, at both
high levels of social work idealism'
ments: 'Access to opportunities an
and "social workers have an obligar
communities" (Csikai & Rozensky,
these statements indicate that socii
agfee" with these ideas.
Interestingly, however, Csikai a
the social work students surveYed
with statements such as'hdvocacl
and " Social workers' responsibilitier
34
OCACY PRACTICE
oiters. Capiralism is the mecha_
rn occurs when gfoups afe
ul social pafticipation and rele_
ial groups are often targeted for
re elder$ those with mental ill_
C transgendered people, as well

ed using matglnalization.
rcfers to the inability to give
rg ordered and having choices
redessness tesults in a culture
ppressed do not speak of their
Rels of powedessness, do not
nation is used as a method of
: to believe that they are infe_
the bottom of society.
nperialism is the process of
e and making it the norm.In
ure ignore or look down on
: dominant cultural expecta_
tt from and worse than them_
m of oppression. It results in
cal harm at any dme and fof
ual violence against women,
: minority groups, and hate_
fnefous groups.
re social work practice ana-
one or more of the types of
I or them. Barnoff (2001)
I this framework in feminist
des examples of enabling
mtioppfession framework is
W'uar Ann Socr,lr Wonrrns TnyrNc to Accol.rprrsH )rITH
Anvocecy?
not universally accepted at a conceptual or pr:.ctical level for
social
workers.Tester (2003), for example, strongly challenges the use

of an
antioppression framework for social work practice and is an
intefest-
ing example of the conceptual and practical debates around the
topic.
This debate is still in firll swing and can be an important
alternative
way of viewing the role of social work in advocating for social
justice.
WIIAT ARE SOCIAL WORIGRS TRYING TO
ACCOMPLTSH WITH ADVOCACY?
It is all well and good to be an advocate:indeed, some might
argue that
a democratic society needs people to be active simply because
engage-
ment in the process is good. Social wofk, however, takes a
normative
view of the desired outcomes of the advocacy process. Many
purposes
for social work advocacy ate listed in the NAS( code of Ethics.
Meet-
ing client needs, both material and emotional, should be
uppermost in
the minds of social worker advocates. The workers' primary
goal
should be to "confront discrimination, oppression and
institutional
inequalities " (Barker, 2OO3, p. 405). This is a lofty goal, and
we may won-
der if social workers actually believe in these values.
Research byAbbott (1988) indicates that social workers consis_
tently rank higher than other professional groups in their belief
in four

important social work values: respect for basic rights, sense of
social
responsibility, commitment to individual freedom, and support
for self-
determination.This is true even for beginning MS( gracluate
students,
as compared to students in othef professional pfograms (Abbott,
p.
44), Social work students, at both the BSW and MSV levels,
,,reporr
high levels of social work idealism" in response to the
foilowing state-
ments: 'Access to oppoftunities and fesoufces should be open to
all"
and "Social workers have an obligation to advocate for change
in their
communities" (Csikai & Rozensky, 1997, p. 537).The mean
scores on
these statements indicate that social work students "agfee" to
"strongly
agfee" with these ideas.
Interestingly, however, Csikai and RozensV e997) also found
thar
the social work students sllrveyed had comparatively little
agreement
with statements such as'Advocacy is the main thrust of social
work,'
and "Social workers' responsibilities should include active
involvement
35

Soctar- Jusrtcn 'tnl Aovoc'tcv PRactlcn
in lobbying for political change" (p' 53T'Both of these
statements had
a meanscore placing them between "uncertain" afld "agtee" on
the
scale used. Pethaps riost disturbing for those who see a stfong
need
for advocacy practice because of the impact of policy decisions
on
social work practice, students in this study indicate
considerable agree-
ment with the statement, "Political issues have no bearing on
direct
social work practice with individuals" (Csikai & Rozensky'
p'53D'
There was a shift in social workefs'attitudes toward poverty and
social action U.t*..n L958 and 1984 (R'eeser & Epstein' 1987)'
Sur-
prisingly, respondents in 1984 were more l*'Y o::l t::j:'ve that
poverty was due to stfuctural factors and to be less committed
to
activist goals than were social workers in 1968'This shift in
attitude

may have two causes: frst, casework and psychothempl h-ud
become
the primary social work methods' and' second ' in 1984 there
was a
sense of futility about social change due to the insensitivity of
Presi-
dent Reagan's administration toward social work concerns'
There has been a long gap in this rype of research' however' so
it
is unclear if these findings still hold. Recenr work by
Felderhoff, Hoe-
fer, andflatson (2o14) 'iggt"
that the pendulum has swung back to
stfong suppofr ro. foiiri.u1""ction. Resulrs indicate that social
workers
in Texas strongly ,ttppo* political activity by the state chapter
of the
NASW. An overwhtt-t"g majority (82y') repoft that they are
"mofe
likely" or "much more likely" to join or reioin NAS[ as a result
of
NASW's political advocacy' Only 3 percent wefe "less likely" or
"much
less likely" to ioin or rejoin as a result of the advocacy efforts

by their
professional organization'
In summary, iiufpt"" that social workers believe in social work
values. This finding underscores the importance of social
workers
engaging in aOvoclacy pfactice because their beliefs and values
are
unique.It is thus important for social workers to rcceive
educadon and
,ruini.rg in the how-tos of advocacy pfactice'
EXAMPLES OF ETHICAI ISSUES IN ADVOCACY PRACTICE
Up to now, this chapter has focused on the ethical responsibility
social
workers have to udd"" societal and client problems through
advo-
cacy and the need to focus on social iustice in their practice'
Still' the
Ex'tMPrEs or Ergtc'lr Issurs
ouestions remain, How do these Prin
ir .".t"tntg fair in love' war' and ad
workerc be held to some other stand

Saul AlinskY (1972)' in his clas
argues forcefullY that PeoPle who e:
-Iun, and ends "wind uP on their (
Organizers must use what is avalab
their goals:"He who sacti-fices the m:
u p.clul*t concePtion of 'Personal s
for peopte to be'corrupted'for then
io U. .ttt.erned with ethics onlY I
Thus, if the ends are just and the m
i".ti., no matter what it is' is fair' it
.ff..tt". tactics of the dispossessed
The NASW Code of Ethics n
(1g72)view in Part' but the overall
ers should be held to a higher stant
this point vigorously:"There are pe
,,fy ,tt. means'This is antithetical t
workers the erids and the rneans 1
Put it:If the method You use to art

it e .nO result will be dirty" (Hayn'
Although social workers afe c
tice, the code is often silent on ttt
In addition, there might be sorne
'
The verY first sentence ofthe det
"social workers' Primary respons
clients. In general' clients' interc
1.O1).This is immediately followt
ever, social workers' responsibiliq
obligations may on limited occ
clients" (NASV, Sec' 1'01)' RePor
examPle of when loYattY to the c
in. nrut ethical PrinciPle dt
workers must be " contiflually aw
ethical principles' and ethical str
consistent with theml'More sPt
jjones2
Typewritten Text

36
ACY PRACTICE
). Both of these statements had
in" and ,,agtee,,on
the
fr
those who see a strong need
Impact of policy decisions on
Exauprrs or ErHrcat Issurs rN Anvocacy pRa<:rrcr
questions femain,.How do these principres opefate in the real
word?Is everl'thing fatt tn love, war,
"ni adrrocacy pfactice, or shourd socialworkers be held to some
other standard of behavior?
saul Alinsky (1972), in his classic essay,,of Means and
Ends,,,afgues forcefulry that peopre who €xtensivery debate the
morarif ofmeans and ends "wind up on their ends without urry
;;;r,, (p.25).otganizerc must use what is availabreto enable them
to accomplishtheir goals:"He who sacrifices the mass good for
personar salvation hasa peculiar conception of 'personar
salvation,; he doesn,t care enoughfor people to be ,corrupted,for
rhem,,(Alinsky, p.Z5),r is appropriareto be concerned with
ethics ot ry *rrin there is a choice of means.Thus' if the ends are
just and the means are limited to one tactic, thattactic' no matter
what it is, is fair. tt is onry the powerful who can theeffective
tactics of the dispossesseO J.rnfuir" (Alinskg.
The NAS$fl Cofe of Ethics mal be used ro support

Alinsky,s(1'972) view in paft, but the overa' a.rru*. is clear that
social work_ers shourd be held to a higher standard. Maryanne
Mahrtfeymaintainsthis point vigorousry:"There *. p."ft. *t o tet
me ttrat ttre enos lus_ti4/ the means.This is antitheticA to sociat
work values. . . . For socialworkers the ends and the means
musr Le consistent.Another way roput it: If the method you use
to affive at youf ends are [se.c] dirqt thenthe end result will be
dirq,,, (Ilaynes A lli"k.lror, , ZOO9, p. 52).
,,.., #lniffl;Jfflworkers
are cafled on ro.n*u*e in advocacyprac-
rnacrdition,tr,.r.mifiiT":$Ji:;ffiil:,t1:1ff ;H::*JThe very frst
sentence of the detailed ethical standards ,tut., pr"irrry,"sociar
wofkers' p'.ury responsibilify is to pfomote the werfare
ofclients. In general, clients, interests *r'prnnury- CNASW
2OOg, Sec.1.01).This is immediately followed, fro_.*r, by the
statemenr,,,How_ever' sociar workers'responsib'ity to the rarger
society or specific legalobligations may on limited o..rriorr, ,,
ctienm"Gqesxa sec. t.ol). Reporting ;r-Jff;r;T _Ji,:"t::
jo*3l;:
example of when loyalty to the .fi.it i, o"
*#f ff L;*::**-cip,edescrio.o1in+:iJilTlJl,}ffi1;
ethicarp.,,.ipr.,,ffi :l"Jffi:$;fi "JjTf:;H;""#*?
consistent with them." More specifically, iio.iut
workers act honestly
rdy indicate considerable agfee_
ues have no bearing on direct
Csikai & Rozensky, p.533).
r'?ttitudes toward poverry and
(Reeser & Epsrein, 1987). Sur_
rre likely both to believe thar

and to be less committed to
in 1968.This shift in attitude
d psychotherapy had become
second, in l9g4 there was a
: to the insensitjvify of presi
ial work concerns.
pe of research, however, so it
ent work by Felderhoff, Hoe_
endulum has swung back to
rindicate that social workers
r by the state chapter of the
feport that they are *more
rejoin NASW as a result of
I were "less likely', or,,much
re advocacy efforts by their
kers believe in social work
ortance of social workers
teir beliefs and values are
fs to feceive education and
l.
iDVOCACY PRACTICE
thical responsibility social
I problems through advo_
in their pracfice . Still, the
2'7
SocIar Jusrtcn awl Aovocacv Pn'tcttcn
and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the

otganizations with which they are affiliated" (I'{ASW 2008,
Ethical Prin-
ciples). Honesty is certainly an important element in being
effective in
advocacy efforts, but is honesty always the best policy? Is it
permissi-
ble to lie if it better accomplishes social work's primary mission
to
,.enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human
needs of
all people,with particulaf attention to the needs and
empowerrnent of
people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty"
(NASW
Preamble)?
There afe no firm answers to these questions,At best we can do
what Jansso n (1994) suggests be done when ethical principles
con-
flict: .,Ifi/hen issues reflect important values and consequences'
they
should not be resolved impulsively.W'e should feel tugged in
different
directions, as if each altemative is serious and cannot be lightly
dis-
missed.were we to huriedly resolve such issues,we might later

decide
that we had comptomised important values and oveflooked
important
consequences" (p. 59). In the end, "reasonable differences of
opinion
exist among social workers" (NASW 2008, Sec' 3'10tbl)' Not
every
social worker will solve a problem the same way.
Neveftheless,"Social
workers should carefully examine relevant issues and their
possible
impact on clients before deciding on a coufse of action" (NASV
Sec'
3.1otbl).
The following afe some €xamples of situations for which there
are
no clear answefs, and reasonable social workers may indeed
disagree
on how to Proceed.
You are chair of a statewide social work political action
commit-
tee.AmajornewspapefwritesadisturbingstofyonMaria
Rodriguez, a candidate yorr committee has alteady endorsed for
state senatof in the primary race,which she won.The fepoft says

that she has falsified her academic credentials. Ms. Rodriguez
first
denies then aclmits the deception.The committee did not
endorse
this candidate based on her academic record, but rather on the
rwenty years of good work she has completed on behalf of low-
income MexicanAmericans in southTexas. some of the members
of your political action committee want to continue as if
nothing
has happened: "Her stfong voice is needed in the state senate to
Exa.uPtrs or l
protect against col
fenounce the eadit
from the race altog
best to exPress disi
"She let us down, b
You are asked bY Y
out-the-vote dfive
work with the Leal

are willing to do
should facilitate il
2008, Sec. 5.02).11
vote they want to
as Democratic vot(
candidates than al
ers.When You objr
Democratic candi
sexual minofities
antigay. Ms. Smith
religious $ouPS
forces to get out c
shouldn't we do t
this logic,You are
NASW;which is o
You are a longtim
a political conser
especiallY disagrr
vinced that, desPi
system cteateda

erltitled to Publit
from governmer
their children ha
the aid they rec
incentives for thr
not miod havint
most social wo
38
;ACY PRACTICE
)ractices on the part of the
ed'(I{ASV 2008, Ethical prin_
element in being effective in
re best policy? Is it permissi_
I work's primary mission to
€t the basic human needs of
rneeds and empowerment of
nd living in poverry,,(NASW
Iuestions.At best we can do
tihen ethical principles con-
res and consequences, they
ould feel tugged in different
s and cannot be lightly dis_
issues,we might later clecide

is and ovedooked important
nble differences of opinion
E, Sec. 3.10tbl) Not every
le way. Nevertheless,,,Social
tt issues and their possible
urse of action" (NASW Sec.
luations forwhich there are
rrkers may indeed disagree
rrk political action commit_
listurbing story on Mada
e has already endorsed for
h she won.The repoft says
ientials. Ms. Rodriguez first
:ommittee did not endorse
record, but rather on the
mpleted on behalf of low-
xas. Some of the members
it to continue as if nothing
tded in the state senate to
Exalrpns or EtHtcar Issurs rrv Anvocecy pn,tcttcn
protect against conservatives of both parties!,, Othefs want to
renounce the eadier endorsement and ask her to remove herself
from the race altogether:"She lied to us!,'A third group thinks it
best to expfess disappointment in her, but suppoft her privately:
"She let us down, but she is still the bettef of the two
candidates.,,
You are asked by your srate NASSI chapter to help otganize a
get-
out-the-vote drive in your city because you have done similar
work with the League ofWomenVoters, a nonpaftisan gfoup.you

are willing to do this because you believe that ,,social workers
should facilirate informed participation by the public', (NAS$(
2008, Sec. 6.O2).The main organizers are clear, howevef, that
the
vote they v/ant to get out consists only of registered Democrats,
as Democratic votefs are much more likely to vote for
Democratic
candidates than are members of other parties or nonaffiliated
vot-
ers. When you object, the organizer explains that Laura Smith,
the
Democratic candidate, is a strong supporter of equal rights for
sexual minorities while the Republican candiclate in the race is
antigay. Ms. Smith has also been endorsed by NAS$fl,,The far
right
religious gf,oups and the Tea pany-types are mobilizing their
forces to get out only Republican voters," says the
organizer.,,Why
shouldn't we do the same for our side?',Although you
understand
this logic,you are still not convinced that this is €ntirely ethical
for
NASW which is officially a nonparrisan gfoup.
You are a longtime member of NASIfl and consider yourself to
be
a political conservative.You believe thar NASW is too liberal
and
especially disagree with its prowelfare position. you are con-
vinced that, despite changes to end traditional welfare, the
welfare
system created a generation of people who believe that they are
entitled to public support. Even with the threat of being cut off
from government assistance, some able-bodied recipients and
their children have little hope of becoming selFsufficient
because

the aid they receive from charities and govefnment eliminates
incentives for them to seek gainful employment.Although you
do
not mind having a different opinion about policy compared to
most social workefs, you have noticed (starting in gmduate
39
SocIAL Jusrtcn aul Anvoc'lcv PRacrtcn
school) a tendency for conservative social workers to be frozen
outofsocialcircles.Thisisaproblemforyoubecauseyouwant
to keep ofl othef social workers'good side to maintain their
refer-
rals, which yotrr practice relies on' Shoukl you remain in the
otganizationand try to change its policies to be more in line
with
your values, shouti yot' "*"i"
a member of NASW to keep the
good insurance benefits available to mernbers but otherwise
qui-
ltty wort against its proposals, or should you give up your mem-
bership because of yottt pttitosophical differences with the
organ-
ization?

A client of yours in a nonptofit agency could make good use of
a
special fund set aside for Uuying back-to-school clothes'When
you
mention this to your supervisoq she agfees but cautions you to
provide only half the allowed amolrnt of funds in order to keep
money available fbr other clients'You believe that special
circum-
stances make it vital to assist your client with mofe than half
the
amount possible, yet you know that there are limited funds for
this purpose. You are also aware that you are only four months
into your six-month probationary period' Social work jobs as
good
as this one afe hardto come by in your small community'Vhat
should You do?
In order to address situations such as the one above in a system-
atic way,first choose which ethical principles are in con-flict'
Refer
specifically to the NAS$[ Code of Ethics and other ethical
codes that
nl^V

"ppfy,
such as those that cover licensed social workers in your
state.Ask which principle, in this situation' is more important'
Gather
opinions from other social workefs you trLrst' In the end' you
may need
to priofitize one principle over another in order to resolve the
con-
flict.
CONCLUSION
Although this lengthy discussion of distributive ittstice may
seern
beyond the scope of aclass on advocacy' the reason to include it
is sim-
ple: if social workers are going to use advocacy to promote
social ius-
tice, theY need to understant
there are different ideas rel
these diffetent definitions h
explore where we stand in t
of Ethics makes clear that et

advocate lbr social iustice' 1
what is meant bY the differ
willing to support the defir
Social workers have i
and a distinctive view of sr
that PeoPle at the bofiom
helped to climb more quic
the ladder.
The rest of this book
for these values to be adol
into laws and regulations'I
cacy pfactice'The final ct
lessons from the book'
Suggested Further Re
Allingham, M'(2014)'D
This short book might
ested in PhilosoPhY, but it ir
concePtions of distributive it
chaPter has its own chaPte:

theories in a clear waY' It wil
will be well PrePared to dis<
ering with a wealth of knov
Lasswell, H.(1936).Po
Free Press.
Althougir this is an oldr
itics. Lasswell, a PsYchologit
aganda techniques, begins t
of influence and the influet
Position'The second chaPt
ishinglY illuminating and ei
Young, I', &Allen, D' (
ton, NJ: Princeton Universi
Y PRACTICE
ncial workefs to be ftozen
t for You because You want
rside to maintain their refer-
Should You remain in the

icies to be more in line with
mber of NASV to keep the
mernbers but otherwise qui-
ould You give uP Your mem-
il differences with the ofgan-
cy could make good use of a
r-to-school clothes'When You
e agfees but cautions You to
rrt of funds in order to keeP
u believe that sPecial circum-
:lient with more than half the
rt there are limited funds for
nt You are onlY four rnonths
:riod. Social work iobs as good
L your small communiryWhat
as the one above in a system-
dnciPles are in conJlict' Refer
:s and other ethical codes that

censed social workers in Your
!ion, is more imPortant' Gather
I trust. In the end, You maY need
er in order to resolve the con-
I
[on
distributive iustice may seem
cy,the reason to include it is sim-
,duo.r.Y to Pfomote social jus-
CoNCLUSIoN
tice, they need to understand what social fustice really rneans'
Because
there are different iol", ,.r"tittg to distributive iustice, and
because
these different definitions have significant impacts on policy'
we must
explore where *t ""*
i"it"' piltro'ophicaidebate'The NASV code
of Ethics makes tttu' ttt"t every social worker has the
responsibility to

advocate for social ;tt'iit"' Every social worker must then
understand
what is meant nV tftt Oifftrent views of social iustice and be
able and
willing to support tt*-Otf*i'itn most in line with social work
values'
Social workers nu* *poftant infofmatiofi about client needs
and a distinctive view of social justice. Social workers tend to
believe
that people at the bottom of economic and social laddets should
be
helped to climb "t;;;t;*t
than people who are already higher on
'nt
t|fr;.rt
of this book covers the most effective ways ro advocate
for these values to bJ adopted by decision makers and thus
translated
into laws and regulations'Each chapter covers one of the steps
in advo-
cacy practice' The final chapter surnrnarizes and brings together
the
lessons from the book'

Suggested Further Reading
Allingham, M' Qot4)' Distributiue iusflce' NewYork: Routledge'
This short book might best be recommended for people highly
inter-
ested in philosopny' Ltn it" also very ""ful
fot understanding the different
conceptions of Ai't'iit'ti* i""i*'u"t1t of tttt fo"r theories
mentioned in this
chapter has its t*";;;;;;
"t
ouinst'utttt'noot' wtrlctr then compares the
theories in a clear d;;ut not.tt[ you^which approach is "corre"ct''
but yort
will be well preparei''o d"t"" the issues "'**of
ioit"ess" at any family gath-
.taU -nn u *tuftn of knowledge and arguments'
Lasswell, H' 0936) ' Politics:Wto gets wbat' t'uhen' and' y':oaz'
New York:
Free Press'
Althouglrthisisanolderbook,itcontintrestoenlightendiscussionofp
ol.
itics. Lasswell,
^
n;fi;;t;;*t'o "t'aittt

oorititur communication and prop-
aganda techniques' it*i"iint uoot<-statin{-"ittt 'tt'oy
of politics is the study
of influence uno tt."iff,r.,rirur" <p 3).The ,.-^tno.r of thi book
iustifies this
position.The "tt;;;;;;r'
about ln:::; of political svmbols' is still aston-
ishingly iutt*i"uti"Ji"J';;; apply to clrrrent political concerns'
Young, l', &Allen' D' (1 99D)'Justice and tbe politics of
d'ffirence'Pince'
ton, NJ: Princeton University Press'
4r
SocIAL Jusrlcn lxo AovocacY PRACTICE
This book lays out the authors'approach to
antioppression'Whilejt is not
an easy reacl, it is far ranging and influential With its emphasis
on difference
and the role of the social grlup as the key determinant of
oppression, it chal-
lenges much conventionalt wisiom in social work education and
practice.

Discussion Questions and Exercises
1. Do you generally agree more with Rawls or Nozick? How do
you incorporate the views of antioppression franrework
authors such as Young and Allen? Are there specific issues on
which you agree more with one viewpoint than the other?
2. Look .rp .od.s of ethics from other social work groups' such
astheclinicalsocialvorkAssociationQrttp://www'clinicalso
cialworkassociation.orglabout-us/ethics-code), the National
AssociationofBlackSocial.Wbrkers(http|//t|^bsw.ofgl
?page=CodeofEthics), or the International Federation of Social
(orkers/lnternational Association of Schools of Social Work
(http://ifsw.org/policies/statement-of-ethical.principles/)'How
do they .o*p"'" with NASfl's code regarding advocacy? Do
you prefercoiot u'pttt of one of the other codes to the NASxi"
code?
3. Canyou think of codes of ethics from other professions that
you might wish to follow, such as the American Psychological
Association, the American Society for Public Administration' or
the American Baf Association?

4. Discuss a cufrent controversial issue regarding social ittstice
from the pefspective of Rawls' Nozick'Young andAllen' of oth-
ers' For .""-plt, what is the "cofrect" response to police use
of cleadly force in a ncially disproportionate way? How do the
debates regar<ling clistributive justice apply here? Or in what
ways do energy-relatecl policies allowing oil pipelines across
farm land, or using fracking techniques that may pollute
groundwater ancl lead to earthquakes but provide natural gas
andjobs'havedismibutivejusticeimplications?T"hatposition
do You agree with?
Cf,ry
GETTING
For Potitics ougbt to be tbe Part't
*oild' Protuct tbe rights and Priu
preserl,e wbat is good anrl fr
D. D. Eisenhowet,Address Recortn
Dinners
According to the generalist socii
chapter 1, the first steP of the hel

cacy Practice, the first step is gel
the research on whY PeoPle get
extends the conclusions to whY
whether theY are advocating for
Getting involved requires n
doing nothing and cloing sometl
one Pefson to the next' feseaf(
are usuallY in Place before th
Although the research cited her
tics on a macroscale, the same tt
to occuf no mattef what level
next section looks explicitly at l
ter I extend the discussion to a'
WIIY ARE SOME PE(
All is not well in the America
ramPant, and tmst in governmt
popular beliefs about politics ir
democratic countries afe mor(

This is not entirely true histor
political actMty in the Unite
42
t
Discussion: Advocacy
For some, advocacy might conjure images of speaking at a
congressional hearing or soliciting petition signatures at library
entrances. Yet, social workers engage in advocacy as an agent
of social change in numerous ways:
· Case advocacy—When a social worker addresses the lack of
services or resources at the micro level, educates the client
about available resources and programs, or fights for clients’
rights
· Legislative advocacy—When a social worker addresses a
policy gap at the macro level and provides information and
suggestions to legislators in order to close that gap
· Community advocacy—When a social worker represents the
needs of a community at the mezzo level by engaging in group-
oriented activities, such as holding a town meeting to educate
the neighborhood about a particular issue they are facing
Reflecting as a social worker, what are the benefits to engaging
in an act of advocacy? Are there risks associated with being an
advocate? Do the risks ever outweigh the need to advocate for
what is just?
Throughout this term, you have been asked to engage in an act
of advocacy. For this Discussion, you will reflect on the
advocacy in which you engaged and discuss both risks and
values related to advocacy.
By Day 3

Post a response to the following:
· Describe the advocacy in which you engaged this term.
· Explain how the concepts from this week’s resources apply to
the act of advocacy in which you engaged.
· Describe potential risks that you considered or that may exist
for a social worker who serves as an advocate.
Support your post with examples from the course text and any
other resources used to respond to this Discussion. Demonstrate
that you have completed the required readings, understand the
material, and are able to apply the concepts. Include a full
reference of resources at the bottom of the post.
Required Readings
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018).
Empowerment series: Understanding generalist practice
(8th ed.). CENGAGE Learning.
· Chapter 14, “Advocacy” (pp. 544–570)
Hoefer, R. (2016). Social justice and advocacy practice. In
Advocacy practice for social justice (3rd ed., pp. 23–
42). Oxford University Press.
Advocacy Practice for Social Justice (3rd Ed.) by Hoefer, R.
Copyright 2016 by Oxford University Press-Books (US & UK).
Reprinted by Oxford University Press-Books (US & UK via the
Copyright Clearance Center.)
Belluomini, E. (2014, Winter). Using digital self-advocacy to
empower social work populations.
The New Social Worker.
http://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/technology-
articles/using-digital-self-advocacy-to-empower-social-work-

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