Introduction
In looking at attitudes towards Social Workers helping others, I think one needs to ask why a person wants to help others? In this essay I would
like to explore why social workers as professionals help others. First let's look at the definition of help. Help is to give assistance or support to, to
make more pleasant or bearable, archaic, to be of use to, to further the advancement of, to change for the better, to refrain from, to restrain
(oneself) from doing something, to serve with food or drink, and to appropriate something for (oneself). (Help, Merrian-Webster online Dictionary).
Why Help Others
Call for Help
In looking at attitudes towards Social Workers helping others, I think one needs to ask why a person wants to help others? In this essay I would
like to explore why social workers as professionals help others. First let's look at the definition of help. Help is to give assistance or support to, to
make more pleasant or bearable, archaic, to be of use to, to further the advancement of, to change for the better, to refrain from, to restrain
(oneself) from doing something, to serve with food or drink, and to appropriate something for (oneself). (Help, Merrian-Webster online Dictionary).
Why Help Others
Call for Help
One obvious answer is that people are in need of help. The above You Tube video displays a comic instance where two people get into a
predicament, they feel stuck on an escalator. They are not able to figure out how to help themselves and call for help. In putting their trust in
someone else to help, they are trusting that that person will be ethical. A professional social worker agrees to conduct themselves in accordance
with the 'Code of Ethics' set by the National Association of Social Workers. Ethical principles in the 'Code of Ethics' states that social workers
should aspire in the primary goal to help people in need and to address social problems; challenge social injustice; respect the inherent dignity
and work of the person; recognize the central importance of human relationships; behave in a trustworthy manner; and practice within their areas
of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise. Also, while practicing these ethical principles a social worker shall maintain
the value of service; social justice; dignity and worth of the person; importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence (NASW, 2008).
Social workers as professionals help people to realize their potential giving them tools to be empowered to handle daily life predicaments. The
client may not have a support system at home, no close friends or family to help them. For some clients, they need assistance with how to deal
with difficult family and friends. Answering a call for help is rewarding personally and professionally.
Pay it Forward
predicament, they feel stuck on an escalator. They are not able to figure out how to help themselves and call for help. In putting their trust in
someone else to help, they are trusting that that person will be ethical. A professional social worker agrees to conduct themselves in accordance
with the 'Code of Ethics' set by the National Association of Social Workers. Ethical principles in the 'Code of Ethics' states that social workers
should aspire in the primary goal to help people in need and to address social problems; challenge social injustice; respect the inherent dignity
and work of the person; recognize the central importance of human relationships; behave in a trustworthy manner; and practice within their areas
of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise. Also, while practicing these ethical principles a social worker shall maintain
the value of service; social justice; dignity and worth of the person; importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence (NASW, 2008).
Social workers as professionals help people to realize their potential giving them tools to be empowered to handle daily life predicaments. The
client may not have a support system at home, no close friends or family to help them. For some clients, they need assistance with how to deal
with difficult family and friends. Answering a call for help is rewarding personally and professionally.
Pay it Forward
Some people choose social work as a profession due to they themselves have been helped and want to 'pay it forward.' The above video
discusses the theory of pay it forward helping 3 people who in turn help 3 people, etc. Even better, by choosing a profession like social work you
will spend your life devoted to helping others. Empowering others to live enriched lives, as someone has done for you.
Critics feel that social workers or professions of the like have selfish motives for helping others. A person in this role is gaining financially.
They are gaining power over the person they are helping. Maybe even manipulating the person. A person's motives for helping are out of fear
of becoming like the person in need. By the helper's selfish motives it makes the person in need feel inferior (Schuyt, 2004).
A professional social worker is educated and held to high standards. They are obligated to protect, promote, and to improve the needs of
others. The object of helping a person in need is to allow them to handle their own problems. A person needs a little help now and then to get
back on their feet. Once they are up and running they may help another in need to get back on their feet again.
Religious or Spiritual
discusses the theory of pay it forward helping 3 people who in turn help 3 people, etc. Even better, by choosing a profession like social work you
will spend your life devoted to helping others. Empowering others to live enriched lives, as someone has done for you.
Critics feel that social workers or professions of the like have selfish motives for helping others. A person in this role is gaining financially.
They are gaining power over the person they are helping. Maybe even manipulating the person. A person's motives for helping are out of fear
of becoming like the person in need. By the helper's selfish motives it makes the person in need feel inferior (Schuyt, 2004).
A professional social worker is educated and held to high standards. They are obligated to protect, promote, and to improve the needs of
others. The object of helping a person in need is to allow them to handle their own problems. A person needs a little help now and then to get
back on their feet. Once they are up and running they may help another in need to get back on their feet again.
Religious or Spiritual
Research has shown that religion and spirituality plays an important role in personal and professional lives. Social workers with a strong
positive attitude regarding the role of religion and spirituality are more likely to utilize spiritual practices or interventions. Skeptics feel that
religious and spiritual practice should be excluded. The social worker may force their personal views or beliefs unto the client or person in
need. Social work professionals believe in the importance of spirituality for their clients. They also highly value their own personal religion and
spirituality. The topic is quite broad, relatively young, and controversial (Larsen, 2011). In helping others it is very important to preserve religious
or spiritual beliefs, for the helper or the person in need. Many people give assistance to others in fulfillment of their religious beliefs. They were
taught that caring for others in need is the right and just thing to do. These acts if kindness heightens their spirituality.
Conclusion
Critics or skeptics may question the personal reasons or motives in helping others in the social work profession. Whether helping others is
answering a call for help, pay it forward, or for religious or for spiritual reasons, it is essential the social worker handles the situation in a
professional manner. An open mind, drive to learning, and respect others beliefs are important strengths a social worker needs to possess.
Positive attitudes toward helping others brings pleasure to both lives, the helper and the person in need. Social work professionals are the
definition of help.
The following video was obtained from YouTube. It is a video provided by the Canadian Association of Social Workers, provides myths and truths about social workers:
positive attitude regarding the role of religion and spirituality are more likely to utilize spiritual practices or interventions. Skeptics feel that
religious and spiritual practice should be excluded. The social worker may force their personal views or beliefs unto the client or person in
need. Social work professionals believe in the importance of spirituality for their clients. They also highly value their own personal religion and
spirituality. The topic is quite broad, relatively young, and controversial (Larsen, 2011). In helping others it is very important to preserve religious
or spiritual beliefs, for the helper or the person in need. Many people give assistance to others in fulfillment of their religious beliefs. They were
taught that caring for others in need is the right and just thing to do. These acts if kindness heightens their spirituality.
Conclusion
Critics or skeptics may question the personal reasons or motives in helping others in the social work profession. Whether helping others is
answering a call for help, pay it forward, or for religious or for spiritual reasons, it is essential the social worker handles the situation in a
professional manner. An open mind, drive to learning, and respect others beliefs are important strengths a social worker needs to possess.
Positive attitudes toward helping others brings pleasure to both lives, the helper and the person in need. Social work professionals are the
definition of help.
The following video was obtained from YouTube. It is a video provided by the Canadian Association of Social Workers, provides myths and truths about social workers: