Navigating the “Great Retreat”: How Do Ethics and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Inform Child and Youth Care Work?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5195/jcycw.2025.476Abstract
This conceptual paper argues for the essential integration of ethics and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as the cornerstone of effective child and youth care (CYC) work, particularly in response to complex societal challenges. Using the Association for Child and Youth Care Practice (ACYCP) standards as a foundational compass, this paper presents a framework that connects individual professional conduct with broader systemic responsibilities. It posits that core ethical principles—such as respect for dignity, beneficence, and justice—are fully realized only when applied through a DEI lens that actively confronts systemic inequities affecting young people.
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