Trnavská univerzita V Trnave Fakulta zdravotníctva a sociálnej práce Sprachkompetenz in der Wissenschaft Language Competence in the Science

partnership approach, which means, that he/she has a right together decide in the whole process of dealing with problem situations.

The client has the right to complete and accurate information, for respecting of ideas about how to address them, on approval with the proceeding based on information, to lodge a complaint for poor quality work of the expert, as well as to sue the unprofessional performance of the worker (Levická, Mrázová, 2004).

Employees and staff of the social services, who carry out professional activities should promote and protect the physical, mental and even spiritual integrity of each and every person and work in accordance with the ethical code and thus take antidiscrimination position to avoid humiliation of human dignity and violations of human rights and freedoms.
The legal consequences of discrimination
The gradual aging and aging brings into the daily lives of people in higher age considerable number of problems, which they should be able to gradually equalize, accept them and be well prepared for them. Skeptical older people view old age as a time of helplessness, reduced competence and uselessness, and precisely because of this perception, the society is losing in them a great gift, not only their life experiences, knowledge, but also invaluable predisposition and also in this regard occures phenomenon of their discrimination against these defenseless old people.

However, they should express their willingness to preserve their uniqueness and strive for personal development and social inclusion, despite possible handicaps and not to succumb to the pitfalls of the circumstances and difficulties. This should be not regarded as a consequence of aging, but should seek for qualified assistance, that will not occur violation of their rights and discrimination (Krajčík, 2009, page 94). We should bear in mind the sense of their lives, with respect for human dignity with respect for their individuality and esteem for them.

Many times is old age understood as a period of decline and reduced competencies, the elderly people represent little or no contribution to society and this occurs due to ageism / discrimination against older people in the society, which is also reflected in culmination of aggressive conditions. Abuse, neglect and maltreatment of older person is always aggression, which for many older people very serious psychological problem, which is even harder when these are associated with many annoying and unpleasant elements.

Anyone, who works with older people, should realize that their physical side, and soul are fragile and vulnerable and inappropriate behavior and communication could cause them trauma. Recently, quite often we meet with bad treatment of older people provided by the family members or in facilities for the elderly.

For social work are fundamental all principles of human rights, social justice and humanity and essential part of training and professional activities of social workers is ethical awareness. Their work should be based on interpersonal relationship, with respecting the uniqueness and esteem with knowledge of respect for human dignity for each and every individual. Elderly people, who are dependent on grounds of their social need on social assistance and care about their person, often resign themselves to prospective direction on his/her own life, but respect, acceptance and dignity and human rights are inherently affecting not only them, but also each of us and have invaluable importance for the whole experience of the life-and for the coming elderly age (Mačkinová et al. 2015).
The right to a dignified life in the aging process and older age
For aging and elderly living in old age arising the feeling of doubts or even of fear, which can lead to stagnation stance and even uncertainties in life. For elderly people, life in this world doesn’t ends, but can still spend memorable moments and live a full life with dignity and with satisfaction in achievement of its objectives, determining the routing phase of their life's journey.

Endowed with experience, historical memory, interdependence, more complete picture of life are only older people. Gasperová (2008 s.185,186) writes, that these gifts must not disappear from our society, that we do not lose the values, which can not be replaced by generation of children or youth or adult generation. Priority for older people's quality of life and survival, not only with a sense of security, but also by cater their own needs and by respecting their right to a dignified life, because, they handed to the society considerable life experience and fully deserve our respect and gratitude. Masaryk (2015) says, that older people becomes so integral part of the society, regardless of where and in what environment they live life in dignity.

Humane survives own live individually and everyone one is during the life also individually preparing for a new stage of this life phase and a common way to survive this period in the highest quality. It is an adaptation and acceptance of self as older peros, who can lost, but can also very much gain and therefore we should learn with the coming age to think positively, to create a positive attitudes to our self, but also to other people and the fall of life live with an optimistic outlook and with joy in heart, which will make us younger and more powerful and will be a natural medicine on everything that should await us in our life’s. "There is no life situation in which our lives would stop offering meaningful choices." ( V. E. Frankl )
Bibliography:
GASPEROVÁ, M. 2008. Age – College of Faith. Spiritual care for the elderly in nursing process. Martin: Publisher Osveta, spol. s.r.o., 2008. 186 s. ISBN 978-80-8063-271-7
HROZENSKÁ, M. a kol. 2008. Social work with older people and its theoretical and practical background. Martin: Osveta, spol. s r.o., 2008. 180 s. ISBN 978- 80-8063-282-3
KRAJČÍK, Š. 2009. Dignity and risks of the elderly people. In: Geriatria. In: Európska konferencie s medzinárodnou účasťou, „Starostlivosť a ochrana starších občanov“. 2009, roč. 2, s.94
LEVICKÁ, J. 2002. Social work methods. Trnava: VeV, 2003, ISBN 80- 89074-38-3, 122 s.
MATURKANIČ, P. 5x Človek. Pět pohledú na život člověka. České Budějovice: Nakladatelství Jih, 2010. 60 s. ISBN 978-80-86266-36-7
MRÁZOVÁ, A. 2004. : Etical aspects of social work. In: Levická, J., Mrázová, A.: Úvod do sociálne práce. Trnava: Fakulta Zdravotníctva a Sociálnej práce, 2004.
MAČKINOVÁ, M. -TUMA, J.- MASARYK, V.- MATYŠÁK, P. 2015. Globalizačný vplyv na jedinca a jeho fungovanie v spoločnosti. In: Eniologie člověka. č.6 .2015. Praha. ISSN 2336-4157.
MASARYK, V. 2015. Use of manual lymphatic drainage after trauma surgery of the lower limbs. Sociálně - zdravotnický horizont. Tyfokabinet České Budějovice, o.p.s..Online . roč. 2. č.1. 2015, ISSN 2336- 3479
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SOCIAL WORK AND GENDER MAINSTREAMING
HERMÍNA MAREKOVÁ

Slovakia, Danubius University, Department of Social Work

E-Mail: [e-mail]


Abstract

Each society has its set of values, norms and various expectations (stereotypes) that are passed to next generations during the process of socialization and thus create the continuity of values. On the one hand, there are our traditional norms - stereotypes, different perceptions of men and women, our education and upbringing, i.e. socialization. On the other, there are changes of the macro-sociological and cultural-sociological paradigms in society, which have been going on from the 60’s. Individualization is becoming more intensive, respect for traditions is decreasing and we are witnessing the emergence of new values. The aim of the present paper is to point to the possible impact of prejudice, stereotyping of social workers in executing their work. In doing so, we have to realize that gender mainstreaming and equality in the practice of the social worker is in line with the values ​​of the European Union and with the legislation and the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Keywords:

Gender-sensitive social work. Gender equality. Stereotype. Socialization.

Introduction
Gender mainstreaming and equal opportunities in the practice of the social worker are in line with the values ​​of the European Union and with the legislation and the Treaty of Amsterdam. At the same time, gender issues – despite longstanding efforts – still remains on the periphery of our thinking, the reason being exactly the surviving stereotypes and misunderstanding of concepts on society’s part. The study of the family in our country is still a marginal issue. It more or less remains in academic discussions and does not find a link with practice.
On the one hand, there are our stereotypes, different perceptions of men and women, our education, and socialization. On the other, there are changes of the macro-sociological and cultural-sociological paradigms in society, which have been taking place since the 60’s. The old paradigm was based primarily on biological dependence, where the gender behavior was firmly established. Within the group, rights and responsibilities were precisely determined, and equivalence or equal opportunities were obviously out of the question. These communities had fixed rules, where each individual strived for collaboration, but a suppression of personal interests was inevitable. The change of paradigms is characterized by a pluralization of the scales of values and the traditional systems of control. The individual is no longer necessarily bound by membership in a group (family), which means the onset of individuality, with its own scale of values and the desire to realize one’s own target. This has brought a change in value orientation. These facts have been reflected in changes of society, such as a rapid reduction in the number of marriages, increase in the number of children born out of wedlock, a massive increase of women in the labor market, increase of deviations in child age, collapse of the system of authority in the family, changes in mentality, changes in shared values ​​and norms of society and others. Society is growingly concerned about the intensifying individualization, which is described by Bauman (2000) with the term "liquid modernity". The strengthening individualization is reflected as the emancipation process as well as the policy of identity and selection, says Giddens (1994). According to him, the increasing reflexivity results in a reduced respect for traditions and a growing importance of communication. On the individual level, much more communication links appear. The weaker the tradition, says Giddens, the more the individual is forced to make choices from a variety of options regarding their own life. In practice, critics say, such choices for one’s own life are very limited. Those in adverse life situations who are much more dependent on state assistance, lose in this reflexivity. (Lash, 1994, 12).
The values of duty and acceptance vs. the values of self-realization
According to sociology, values ​​and norms are very important elements of culture and indispensable attributes for the functioning of society. Values ​​and value orientations are certain ideas of ​​what is acceptable, good, desirable in society, or, conversely, bad and undesirable. The functioning of society requires that its members comply with regulations and standards. On the one hand, there are society’s norms, and on the other, there is the behavior and actions of the member of a group or a community, which is expected to correspond as much as possible (preferably 100%) with current norms of society, writes Ondrejkovič (1998). Stereotypes, customary (written and unwritten) norms and value systems still survive in society, and can easily become diskriminatory for certain groups of people. Stereotypes are expectations that prevent free decision, self-realization, and personal development. Strictly set expectations and norms also create the basis for gender discrimination.
Our ideals are changing, Bohnsack wrote in 1996. According to him, a few centuries ago among the accepted and recognized values and ​valid norms in society were such qualities as submission, discipline, performance of duties, reliability, openness, loyalty, punctuality, self-sacrifice for the good of society, and modesty, collectively called the values of “duty and acceptance”. The new values ​​are called the “values ​​of self-realization.” Such values ​​include spontaneity, creativity, pleasure seeking, self-fulfillment, immediate satisfaction of one’s needs.
Table 1

Old Values (values of “duty and acceptance”)	New Values (Bohnsack) (values of „self-realization“)
submission	spontaneity
discipline	creativity
performance of duties	pleasure seeking
reliability	self-fulfillment
openness	immediate satisfaction of needs
loyalty
punctuality
self-sacrifice for the good of society
modesty

Source: Mareková, 2014

We acquire all these attributes in interaction with our social environment in society during our upbringing, the so-called socialization. Socialization has for long been regarded as a key factor, a very important element in the functioning of society. Parsons wrote in his publication back in 1956: “The birth of every new generation of infants is a recurrent barbarian invasion..., because the newborn does not have the slightest idea about the rules and norms of the society in which s/he was born.” The aim of the present paper, which is also based on foreign studies, is to point to possible impacts of the bias, of the stereotyping of social workers in performing their work, also in the context of the Social Worker’s Code of Ethics.

Ethical dilemmas in social work
In social work, ethical dilemmas arise regarding acceptance of a hierarchy, or priorities of individual norms, while the adopted and applied values ​​and norms can be counterproductive. This condition may cause a dilemma of the relationship between the professional ethics and the valid social norms. The social worker must often make a choice, even in a situation when they do not have enough information, or the information comes from various sources (e.g. the mass media), is contradictory and does not create trust, without which collaboration is difficult or even impossible. Dilemmas appear on the professional level (lack of competence), on the personal level (examples, models), as well as in the social and cultural field (traditions, values, stereotypes), but they can also occur in the sphere of politics.

According Banks (2006), there is a difference between ethical issues and dilemmas. He says that an ethical dilemma arises when we must choose between equally unfavorable alternatives that contradict our moral principles. In this case, it is not clear which alternative will be the right one, and – regardless of our choice – leaves us in anguish and remorse. Professional ethics must be constantly re-evaluated.

What takes precedence? Justice or equality, effectiveness or competence, or the right to self-determination? Which is better – what society expects, or what we have learned during our socialization? There is a very powerful and complex pressure from society’s part. There is also much discussion about common values – whether they are subsiding, or it is social solidarity that is becoming reduced (Putnam, 2000).

Social work must constantly and flexibly respond to changes in society. It must offer help, but also preventive measures. The problem may be an inability to identify oneself with changing values and refrain from traditions and “normality”, thus performing the work on the basis of the principles of human rights and social justice (Mareková, 2013).

Social work is expected to be carried out on the basis of the valid social norms and values ​​and, at the same time, to promote respect for human rights. Social workers are expected to promote sociocultural social norms (which is usual, given) according to the expectations of society, according to tradition, according to normality, which brings the possibility of discrimination. Paradoxically, they have a duty to intervene in cases of discriminatin (Anti-discrimination Act).

Social work can be discriminatory when performed under these deterministic ideas, as well as under the Social Worker’s Code of Ethics, adopted in 1997. The Code is already far from being up-to-date (cf. the Preamble which states: “...the social workers are also guided by the norms they formulate themselves”) and does not reflect international documents adopted subsequently. The adopted norms that “they formulate themselves” can bring about moral hazard in the form of moral conflicts between the norms acquired during socialization, during education, which means a possible conflict between private and public interests (Mareková, 2013). For the exercise of the profession, standards are needed that would provide clients with equal treatment, non-discrimination and strict respect for human dignity and human rights, respect for law, etc., in spite of different upbringing, socialization, and values ​​adopted by the social worker.

Social Worker’s Code of Ethics should be in accordance with the values ​​of the European Union and with the legislation which is part of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Social work can be performed only on the basis of respect for human rights and norms, for social justice and anti-discrimination. In keeping with these principles, we can also avoid gender bias – discrimination by social workers, which often takes place (after foreign authors), especially regarding the concepts of maternity and paternity in the social and legal protection of children (Mareková, 2013).