How far has current social work organisation and practice been shaped by the values of the Enlightenment?

In the following assignment, I get come on briefly define the Enlightenment and the specific circumstances when it emerged. I allow identify and argue, if the Enlightenment has core value and I will give reasons to backup my decisions. Then in that respect will be a brief discussion close to the current features of neighborly Work organisation and anti-discriminatory commit in relation to women. I will explain if the current feature of sociable Work exert demonstrates any link with the Enlightenment set.Due to word limitation, it is difficult to discuss and analyse all of the Enlightenment values. I will focus on two of the values allowance and granting immunity to discuss and analyse them with the conjunction of the Social Work Practice.Benson et al (cited in Spybey, T. 1997) explains that The Enlightenment is a term used to describe those thinkers of the eighteenth century who established the al-Qaeda of looking at the society in a scientific way. The Enlightenment mov ements started in 16th and 17th century. Thus Its roots go much farther back in western history and it continued to develop long after the 18th century, Hollinger (1994) calls it a programme for improving human life was excogitateed out. It took place in 18th century but mainly in the second half of the18th century, French educated men and women called themselves Philosophes who became known as the Enlightenment. gibe to Porter (1990 cited in Hall et al 1992 24) The Enlightenment was the era which saw the emergence of a secular intelligentsia large bounteous and powerful enough for the first time to challenge the clergy. The key domain in which Enlightenment intellectuals involved in supporting existing, man and society, which was sustained by the church authority and its monopoly eitherplace the information media of the time.The Enlightenment challenged the traditional and unearthly views and ideas. The society, the world, human-beings and nature, all were seen in the light o f the traditional and religious views which were dominated by Christianity. Hamilton (1997 cited in Handouts, 2003) and Hall et al (1992 7) explains that From virtually 1760, A perspective summed up in Voltaires phrase crasez linfame means crush the infamous thing and it became a nutritious catchphrase. It opposed the Catholic Church and religious beliefs for example Script of Bible, miracles associated with Jesus and other(a) prophets, God and angels existence, the churchs authority and peoples beliefs were criticized, which were based on the religion and tradition.Hall et al (1992 20) expresses that The Enlightenment is the foundation of Modernity and Modern Social Science. It changed the way of thinking by comprehending it as systematic, scientific and practical. Its emergence gave Philosophes a wider scoops to explore beyond their religious and traditional beliefs. It created an atmosphere for Philosophes to believe in the pre-eminence of empirical, materialist knowledge the model in this respect furnished by science, an enthusiasm for technological and medical progress and a desire for legal and constitutional enlighten (Johnson, I. Handouts 2003). Basically, the Enlightenment laid a foundation for people to think liberally and save few sense of equality in the society.In my view, the above world-shattering factors were the bases of the Enlightenments values, which let the Enlightenment develop and progress steadily. Because it was the first time when it was made possible for people to explore and express their personal beliefs and view and test the validity of their thoughts, by means of scientific, systematic ways and without being bounded by religious and traditional restrictions. The Enlightenment values brought in changes and development in the society and in the peoples views and thoughts. It set the milepost for our new modern world that we live in today.It also opened up the opportunities for Philosophes to devise, explore and experiment in a wider context and relay their ideas and views with some freedom. It abolished the traditional and superstitious thoughts and prejudices. It created opportunities for legal and religious emendation to arrive at place. I think that all the changes and development have only interpreted place because the Enlightenment values were in existence and were strong enough to challenge the strongest authority the churches of that time. As churches and its authorities have had a great define and power over people, economy, politics, law, neighborly, every day life even the ruler/s of that time.Hall et al (1992 21-22) had defined the core values of the Enlightenment which be summarised as the following* Reason (nationality) systemized acquaintances (pragmatic or experimented).* Empiricism human-beings views and awareness that being gained through their perceptions and judgements.* Science based on scientific methods and theories and can be tested systematically and scientifically.* Univ ersalism motives and science can be functional in all and every situation if the principal were the same.* Progress the concept of improvement in the natural and cordial conditions of human beings.* Individualism a society is based on the thoughts and beliefs of its members and each member id origin of all knowledge and action and his reasons can non be subjective to a higher(prenominal) authority.* Toleration the notion of that all human-beings are essentially the same, despite their religious or moral convictions and that the beliefs of other races and civilization not inherently inferior to those of European Christianity.* Freedom an opposition to feudal and traditional constraints or on believes trades, communication, mixer interaction, sexuality, and ownership of property (although as we shall see the extension of freedom to women and the lower-classes was problematic for Philosophies) (Hall et al. 1992 22-23).* uniformness of human nature all the humankinds are the same all around the world.* Secularism non-religious and non-traditional authorities and an opposition to the traditional religious authority and myths.Now, I will discuss the Enlightenments values toleration and freedom in the correlation with the current Social Work practice especially in relation to anti-discriminatory practice regarding to women, to establish if the Enlightenments values are think or have influenced Social Work practice.I have experienced through my exploit experience with different communities that generally, women are treated unfairly and unevenly in the society at most levels. Women have less freedom and rights than men. Globally, the women of 21th century are still struggling to gain an equal place as men in the society.Guru (2003 class-notes) stresses that From birth to death women have to struggle in their lives to access their rights e.g welfare, personal, social, political, human, cultural, traditional, religious, labourer, physical exercise.The Social Work e mphasises strongly on anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice. During the late eighties social work education became increasingly aware of the impact of oppression and discrimination on clients and communities. There was a growing and recognition of relative dismiss of such issues in traditional approaches to social work in 1989, the Central Council for Education and Training in Social (CCETSW) laid down the regulations and requirements for the students of Social work to practice in anti- discriminatory ways. CCETSW also seek to ensure that students are prepared to combat other forms of discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, class, disability, civilization or creed (CCETSW 1989 10 cited in Thompson, N. 1997 1).The change in the CCETSWs regulation indicates that the discrimination still exists especially against certain groups and women are one of them and there is a need to combat discrimination. Moreover, it also states that it was recognised that the d iscrimination was linked with traditional approaches. It may mean that the traditional views still exists in our todays society, which the Enlightenment wanted to get rid of, to give people freedom and to promote equality for all individuals without their differences they had through toleration. Obviously, the Enlightenment certainly propagated concept of equality (limited), democracy and emancipation . (Hall et al.1992 33).But when it comes to women then it seems want that the women were almost invisible in the Enlightenment. Hall et al (1992 60) expressed that There was no Enlightenment for women. However they (Enlightenment) challenged the champion the rights of commons, the rights of Citizens, slaves, Jews, Indians and children but not those of women.Under the Enlightenments values of toleration and freedom all the human-beings are essentially the same but it was not applied to women. Porter (2001 69) explains that The Enlightenment helped to free a man from his past.by declar ing that all human-beings are equal despite their race, religion, beliefs, civilization and moral convictions and Lock (1992 referred in Hall et al. 1992 66) adds in that according to the Enlightenment, Every man has an equal right to his natural freedom. Similar, the Code of Practice for Social Care Worker (CPSCW) requires that the social care workers must promote equal opportunities for service users and respecting diversity and different cultures and values (GSCC, 2002 1.5-1.6).Moreover, the Social work values emphasises that the social workers should identifies and question their own values and prejudices, and their implication of practice and they should Respect and value uniqueness and adversity.and identify (discrimination), analyse and take action to counter discrimination, racism, disadvantage, inequality and injustice using strategies appropriate to role and context (CCETSW, paper 30 referred in UB. 2002 6).Social work is not centering on certain and specific groups or pe ople where as the Enlightenment was concerned with the specific group/s of the society. The freedom and toleration was for certain maters and specific groups but there were n laid rules or principals for Philosophes to follow and the Philosophes themselves were a small group of people. Therefore, the social work value gave people a direct power to clients by permit them choosing and decide for themselves and social worker are advised to promote opportunities for people to use their own strengths to make decisions for themselves (CCETSW, paper 30 cited in UB. 2002 4). In other words, social work has widened the concept of freedom and toleration by being considerate for all members of the community, which is now-a-days known as anti-discrimination, freedom of choice and equality.It demonstrates that the Enlightenment have given the idea and Social work made it possible for people by assisting clients and by practicing it physically. That does not mean that the social work have follow ed the Enlightenment concept and values unswervingly. But initially, the idea was there to follow and it may be possible that the feminist movements got the idea from the Enlightenment and modified it according to the current needs. Thompson (1997 8) described that the influence of feminism in sociology was beginning to extend to social policy in general and social work in particular.Lagan et al (1992 112-120) agreed with this statement by accentuating that the feminism had great influence on social work theories. Social work had contributed to help women to achieve political, economical, educational, legal and social rights. For example, Beloff (1976 referred in Thompson, N. 1997 5) argues that the legislation changes were part of women liberal programme of reform e.g. rights for divorce, Equal Pay Act 1970 , Sex Discrimination Act 1975. The social work worked itself and worked with feminist and liberal movements to fight for womens rights. Although, the social work has adopted the ideas from feminists or other liberal movements but the social work can be distinguished from other movements. Initially, it worked with and for all groups and classes. Second, it developed rapidly and extensively in some areas of social issues such as children, disabled people, aged, ethnic minorities, poor and others.The women have developed and have gained rights with the help of social work. Social work has made and is making a useful contribution for women rights and for their development. Lagan et al (1992 40) emphasis that the Social work is mainly done by the Female Social workers and with the Female clients. As being women, Social workers shared the common understanding and experiences, as very much like their clients. That made the social work to approach most women in the society at all levels and to help eliminate womens social problems and raise issues which needed to be address to combat oppression and discrimination.We see the Western Women as Modern, independent, i ntellectual, and strong. But it can be argued that the women are still at disadvantage in the society. Many national studies and statistics show that Overall, women are disadvantaged in health, education, economy, politics, and employment and through out the system (Carter, A. 1988 77-112). However, we can not deny the fact that women have been victimized by the system and the society. Despite the social work practice and attempts for womens rights, there are still gaps and work needs to be done in accordance to give women equal rights (Surrinder, G.2003). It is true that media has blamed social work practice in the past and social workers are seen as governments representatives and according to Murphy (2003 7) the Social workers are not very much liked by the general public.There are also issues regarding to social workers practice e.g. practicing in traditional way due to personal prejudices, which has oppressed the clients and has stigmatized the social work itself. Thompson (199 7 11) emphasise that the social work practice which does not take account of oppression and discrimination can not be seen as good practice.. The bad practice is portray through the media but the good practice is not awarded and neither praised by media. The social work constantly reviews the policies to encounter prejudices and emphasises high on anti-discriminatory practice.In conclusion, I agree with Hall et al (1992 266) that the Enlightenment played a part in abolition of prejudice and superstitionand has given freedom to man. I would severalise that where the Enlightenment movements have played a vital role in the modern thinking and have given the initiative idea of the Toleration and freedom, which now has taken a new shape of equality and anti-discrimination within a broader context. But at same time, the Enlightenment has indirectly contributed against women. Maybe it was due to unintended consequences (Johnson, I. 2003 2), which were not identified, metrical and recogn ised by the Enlightenment or may be Enlightenment did not want to recognise it. As Enlightenment was a men dominated movement.It may have contributed to prejudice and discriminate women by not including and involving them at the very early stage of the Enlightenment movements. And that could be the cause that womens voice for their rights was an echo in the vacuum and was not heard till lately. Therefore, social work has worked extensively for womens rights but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.My suggestion is that the social work should identify oppression and discrimination and combat it at personal levels first and then at institutional levels. This action should not only be taken by the professionals but all the individuals should get involved in it. Otherwise, just like the Enlightenment left the women behind, the individuals will be imperceptible and power will shift to the professionals who will take over. If it will happen then it may take us back to the ea rly Enlightenment age, where only the Enlightenment educated, had the power and voice.