Perceptions of need and the ethicality of the male social work practice

A discussion of the ethical requirements of male social workers to actively support women in the struggle for gender equality is presented. Specifically, (1) are males in the social work profession who take no active position on sexism and equality, practicing unethically according to the NASW Code of Ethics (1999) by supporting the patriarchal structure via inaction, while accepting the privileges it affords? And, if so, (2) do male social work practitioners have a moral and ethical duty to actively support social change that would enhance gender equality? The cultural perception of social need is discussed as being inseparable from the perception of moral obligation. It is concluded that male social workers are ethically bound to actively support gender equality.