Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas In Social Work

Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas Confronting Social Work

The following are examples of ethical dilemmas confronting social workers. Answers are difficult because there are no perfect solutions. What would you do if you were a social worker in each of the following situations? Complete and submit a half- to one-page response for each scenario.

Scenario A: Evita, a hospital social worker, talks with parents Bill and Brenda after their infant Eric is declared brain-dead following accidental suffocation by Bill while babysitting. Evita learns that Eric's death was not due to SIDS but from smothering, yet the physician plans to report cause of death as SIDS. Raising suspicions could blame the parents unfairly. Evita must decide what action to take, considering the impact on the grieving parents and the truth.

Scenario B: Harry, a county social worker, learns that Dora, a mother on public assistance, is earning extra income by babysitting neighborhood children without reporting it, contrary to regulations. Reporting her might undermine trust and risk her job prospects, but failing to report violates policy. Harry must weigh the benefits of maintaining trust against ethical obligations and regulations, especially since Dora is about to find full-time employment.

Scenario C: Ping, a mental health social worker, counsels Cheyenne, a 14-year-old client who is depressed and suicidal. Cheyenne reveals she is sexually active and fears pregnancy leading her to suicide. She requests contraception help from Ping, who knows her parents would oppose it on religious grounds. Ping faces an ethical dilemma balancing client confidentiality and safety, parental authority, and professional responsibilities.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethical dilemmas in social work are complex and often involve balancing competing responsibilities, values, and legal obligations. The scenarios presented illustrate some of the most challenging situations social workers might encounter, requiring careful ethical reasoning and professional judgment.

In Scenario A, Evita must grapple with whether to disclose her knowledge of the true cause of Eric's death. Ethically, social workers are guided by principles of honesty, protecting the vulnerable, and promoting justice. Revealing the truth might prevent future harm if abuse was involved, but it could also cause undue pain to grieving parents and may not change the outcome for Eric. The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of integrity and safeguarding clients from harm (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2021). Evita’s decision should consider her obligation to protect the truth and possibly report suspected abuse, while also showing sensitivity to parental grief. Consulting with supervisors and adhering to legal requirements would be prudent actions.

In Scenario B, Harry faces a conflict between regulatory compliance and building trust. Reporting Dora’s extra income would uphold the law but could jeopardize her rapport with him, which is crucial given her vulnerable economic situation. Social workers are expected to promote clients' well-being and build trusting relationships (Reamer, 2013). Since Dora’s participation in babysitting is a temporary source of income and she is about to gain full-time employment, Harry’s ethical duty to enforce regulations might be balanced with a pragmatic approach: discreetly encouraging her to report income in the future and support her employment goals without immediate reporting. This approach aligns with ethical principles of respect, empathy, and promoting clients’ best interests.

Scenario C presents a deeply sensitive case where Ping must consider the minor’s autonomy, safety, parental rights, and professional ethics. Cheyenne’s expressed desire for contraception, compounded by her suicidal ideation, requires careful assessment. The principle of confidentiality obligates Ping to protect Cheyenne’s privacy, but her age and mental state also warrant protection from harm. The NASW Code emphasizes the importance of protecting clients from harm while respecting their autonomy (NASW, 2021). Consulting with supervisors, mental health professionals, and possibly legal counsel would be advisable. Depending on the jurisdiction, minors may have the right to consent to certain health services, including contraception, which could support Ping’s decision to assist Cheyenne without parental consent. Ultimately, Ping’s actions should aim to empower Cheyenne, safeguard her health, and adhere to ethical standards and legal mandates.

In conclusion, these scenarios underscore the complexity of ethical decision-making in social work. Ethical practice requires balancing competing interests, adhering to professional codes, legal statutes, and personal moral values. Open communication, supervision, and reflective practice are critical tools for social workers facing such dilemmas, ensuring decisions support clients’ well-being while maintaining integrity and accountability.

References

  • National Association of Social Workers. (2021). NASW Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
  • Reamer, F. G. (2013). Ethical Decision-Making in Social Work. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 10(2), 1-15. https://jswve.org/downloads/2013-volume-10/FS-REAMER.pdf
  • Nichols, B. (1999). The social construction of SIDS: evidence for a psychosocial model. Social Science & Medicine, 48(8), 1063-1073.

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