Social Work and Social Justice

What Are We Fighting For

Bibliographic Data

ID5773151
AuthorsJohn Solas (Federation University, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume61
Issue2
Pages124-136
Publication date2008-05-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0312-407X • E-ISSN: 1447-0748
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03124070801998384
OpenAlexW2103692313
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited33

A cardinal value of social work practice is social justice. Social justice ranks as the second of five values that underpin the Code of Ethics of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW. However, although social work's commitment to promoting social justice is laudable and, indeed, may even be a distinguishing feature of the profession, precisely what kind of social justice does social work espouse? The answer to this question remains unclear. Views about the nature and scope of social justice stem from broader conceptions of justice that not only differ from, but may also conflict with, each other. Therefore, it is important not only for social work to be clear about the type of social justice that it currently advocates, but also to ensure that it is one that the profession seeks to defend and maximise. It is argued that the choice must be as egalitarian as possible. Indeed, it must be radically so. Otherwise, what is social work fighting for

Social justice · Social order · Value (mathematics · Ethics in medical practice · Homelessness and Social Issues · Social Work Education and Practice