Final answer:
Social workers' ethical responsibilities in practice settings revolve around advocating for social justice and human rights while balancing individual and community needs. They must adhere to ethical guidelines and respect civil liberties and individual freedoms. Carol Gilligan emphasized the importance of sympathetic reactions in ethical decision-making, and associations like the ASA ensure strict ethical guidelines are followed in sociological studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical responsibilities of social workers in practice settings are multifaceted and include a strong emphasis on advocating for social justice and human rights. This involves prioritizing the well-being of clients, and not simply upholding the law at all costs nor prioritizing individual interests over the collective good. Social workers must adhere to ethical guidelines that balance individual and community needs. When making decisions, they must consider not only the safety and consent of participants but also the potential impact of their actions on the larger community. Carol Gilligan's criticism of previous morality research suggested that sympathetic reactions to moral situations had been overlooked, leading to a more nuanced understanding of ethical decision-making in practice settings.
Furthermore, the American Sociological Association (ASA) crafted detailed ethical principles to ensure the safety and rights of human participants in sociological studies. This is a reflection of the wider responsibility professionals have to minimize harm and respect the civil liberties and social responsibilities that are entwined within government actions and community interests. Fields such as sociology, with their pursuit of knowledge and understanding of human behavior, adhere to a strict ethical framework to avoid crossing boundaries that could threaten human rights.