The Following Are Examples Of Ethical Dilemmas Confronting S

The Following Are 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 was a hospital social worker called in to talk with parents who had just brought their 6-week-old infant Eric, the youngest of their three children, to the emergency room. Eric, whose skin had turned blue and who was not breathing, was placed on a respirator in intensive care for 3 days. After that time, the medical staff determined that he was brain-dead, and the parents Bill and Brenda, sorrowfully gave their permission to "pull the plug." Evita had the opportunity to speak with Bill and Brenda as they waited steadfastly by Eric's bedside hoping that he would revive. She discovered that Bill had been babysitting Eric while Brenda ran some errands. Eric had been sleeping on the bed when Bill lay down to take a nap next to him. Apparently Bill had fallen asleep and rolled over on Eric, accidentally smothering him.

Evita thought it was odd that Bill had not awakened when Eric, an active baby who was large for his age, must have been struggling desperately for breath. Bill admitted that he had a couple of beers prior to his nap, but he insisted that he was not drunk. Tests revealed that Eric displayed no sign of injuries or other suspicious symptoms. The physician in charge of Eric was unaware of the story's details. Therefore, she determined that Eric must have died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which she planned to cite as the cause of death.

SIDS is "death from cessation of breathing in a seemingly healthy infant, almost always during sleep" (Nichols, 1999, p. 1305). Evita knew Eric's death was not due to SIDS. Yet informing the overseeing physicians about what really happened would probably do little good. Bill and Brenda were filled with sorrow and blamed themselves for the tragedy.

Critical Thinking Questions

• What good would it do to raise suspicions about the cause of death and parental competence?
• If you were Evita, what would you do?

Scenario B

Harry is a county Department of Social Services worker whose clients consist primarily of poor, female-headed families receiving public assistance. During one of his meetings with Dora, a single mother of three small children, she happily reveals that she is babysitting for several neighborhood children. She is thrilled to earn the extra income and is proud to share her news with Harry. Regulations state that people receiving public assistance must report any additional income, with benefits then decreased proportionately.

But reporting her income would probably undermine Dora's trust and destroy Harry's relationship with her. And Dora would probably stop babysitting because it would no longer get her ahead. She is barely making ends meet with her meager public assistance payment. Dora already is participating in a mandatory job-training program, preparing her for full-time employment.

Critical Thinking Questions

• What good would it do to report this income despite the fact that regulations require such reporting?
• Dora likely will get a full-time job soon, at which time the public assistance payment will no longer be an issue. What should Harry do?

Scenario C

Ping is a social worker at a mental health center that provides individual and group counseling for a wide range of problems and issues. One of Ping's clients is Cheyenne, age 14, who is depressed and potentially suicidal. During one of their individual counseling sessions, Cheyenne tells Ping that she is sexually active. She states that if she gets pregnant with her current boyfriend, she will surely kill herself.

Cheyenne asks Ping to help her get some form of contraception, possibly from Planned Parenthood. Cheyenne indicates that her boyfriend refuses to use condoms because he says he doesn't like to feel restricted. Ping knows Cheyenne's parents are very religious and are fervently against premarital sex. They would never consent to Cheyenne using contraception and would vehemently oppose Ping's interference in this matter.

Critical Thinking Questions

• How do you think being sexually active, potentially getting pregnant, and trying to please her boyfriend affects Cheyenne's life and well-being?
• What should Ping do?

Paper For Above instruction

Ethical dilemmas are an inherent part of social work practice, requiring professionals to balance competing values, laws, and moral considerations. The three scenarios presented expose the complex decisions social workers face in situations involving potential harm, legal conflicts, and client autonomy, each demanding thoughtful analysis grounded in ethical principles and professional standards.

Scenario A: Addressing Suspicious Infant Death

In the case of Evita observing possible neglect or abuse leading to infant Eric’s death, the primary ethical principles involved include safeguarding the child's welfare and protecting the truth. Although reporting suspicions might lead to legal action or trauma for the parents, failing to do so could perpetuate harm or allow abuse to continue undetected. The social worker’s obligation to promote child safety, per the NASW Code of Ethics, overrides the discomfort of familial conflict or emotional distress (NASW, 2021).

However, revealing suspicions must be balanced with cultural sensitivity and legal obligations. If Evita suspects neglect or abuse, she should consider consulting with child protective services confidentially or seeking supervision from her agency to determine the appropriate course of action. Remaining silent might shield the parents temporarily but at the expense of a child’s safety and trust in the social work profession. Transparency and adherence to mandated reporting laws are essential, even when the truth may be difficult to confront or could damage the relationship with the family.

Therefore, I would advocate for carefully documenting observed facts and feelings, then reporting suspicions through proper channels. While emotional distress among the parents is understandable, the duty to protect vulnerable children necessitates taking proactive steps—reporting to child protective services or supervising authorities—so that appropriate intervention can occur if abuse or neglect is involved.

Scenario B: Reporting Income from Babysitting

Harry’s dilemma revolves around the conflict between legal obligations to report additional income and maintaining trust with Dora. The law mandates reporting all income to ensure fair distribution of benefits (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2022). However, social workers also have a duty to build rapport, support client dignity, and promote positive outcomes. Reporting Dora’s babysitting income could jeopardize her trust and reliance on social services, potentially leading her to withdraw from assistance or dissuading her from participating in the job-training program.

Given that Dora is preparing for full-time employment and that her additional income is temporary, a pragmatic approach may involve discussing the importance of transparency and its long-term benefits for her future. Explaining that reporting income is part of the legal framework and highlighting how this additional work supports her family’s needs may foster continued trust. Moreover, since Dora is on the cusp of employment, the urgency of reporting may diminish, as her temporary income might soon cease to affect her benefits.

Ultimately, I would advise Harry to follow legal mandates but do so compassionately, emphasizing transparency as an ongoing professional value. If possible, facilitating open dialogue about the importance of honesty and the impact of her actions could strengthen the worker-client relationship and promote compliance without negative repercussions (National Association of Social Workers, 2021).

Scenario C: Providing Contraception to a Teen Client

Ping’s ethical challenge centers on respecting Cheyenne’s autonomy while protecting her welfare. Cheyenne, at 14, is mature enough to understand her circumstances, yet her parents' religious beliefs and Ping’s professional code may complicate intervening directly to provide contraception. The NASW Code emphasizes respecting clients' rights to self-determination but also mandates safeguarding clients from harm (NASW, 2021).

Given Cheyenne's expressed intent to consider suicide if pregnant, her mental health and safety are immediate concerns. Providing contraception could prevent pregnancy, thereby reducing her immediate risk of self-harm. Confidentiality is also vital; breaching it could damage trust, but risk of harm (suicide and unplanned pregnancy) may justify limited disclosure or intervention.

In this context, I would advocate for thorough assessment and a trauma-informed approach, prioritizing Cheyenne’s safety and well-being. Engaging her in discussions about her feelings and options, while providing age-appropriate information about contraception, could empower her to make informed decisions. If her mental health is compromised, involving mental health professionals for further evaluation is warranted. Sharing information about contraception privately, and only involving her parents if her safety is at serious risk, aligns with ethical responsibilities.

In conclusion, protecting Cheyenne’s health and autonomy requires a balanced approach emphasizing confidentiality, informed consent, and risk management, ensuring her immediate safety while respecting her self-determination as a developing adolescent.

References

• National Association of Social Workers. (2021). NASW Code of Ethics. Washington, DC: NASW.
• Nichols, M. (1999). Pediatric Forensics: The Role of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 13(3), 1305-1308.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2022). Public Assistance Program Guidelines. Washington, DC: HHS.
• Additional scholarly articles and legal sources supporting the ethical and legal standards discussed.