When social workers are confronted between choices of two equally unwelcome alternative conflicts involving a difficult moral decision, it is known as an ethical dilemma (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2015, p. 73). Ethical dilemmas arise when the principles of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct’s guidelines and boundaries have been crossed, resulting in dual relationships (Reamer, 2003). But as will be discussed, social workers continue to face barriers that exist within the Human Service practice, resulting in ethical dilemmas where boundaries are unclear. This essay will examine what barriers exist and suggestions in resolving these ethical dilemmas.
Firstly, organisers need to establish if there is an ethical dilemma by asking questions such as, can the situation can be broken down into competing ethical principles and is it a case of one principle versus another? (Chenoweth & McAuiffe, 2015, p. 80-81). Yeung, Ho, Lo & Chan (2010) conducted a study consisting with final year social work and nursing undergraduates, who reflected in ethical decision-making as both professions often work with drug abuse and the ethical dilemmas involved. While both groups showed that each profession based their ethical decision-making upon the principle structure learned in the classroom, reflecting on their area of practice, showing individuals may find a gap between the espoused theory and actual practice (Yeung et al, 2000). The outcome showed that social work students favoured the self-determination principle and respected the client’s decision, however the students believed the client should be well informed through education before making a decision (Yeung et al, 2010). However, nursing students considered the ethics of autonomy during this study linking it with beneficence and paternalism, while defining autonomy (in this particular case) by respecting the patient’s decision and their right to refuse treatments, while also providing alternatives and analysing the pros and cons in the scenario (Yeung et al, 2010). Social workers, however, keep to a Code of Conduct, as well as the Code of Ethics, although there are times when crossing over the boundary is unforeseeable (Reamer, 2003). …show more content…
Reamer suggests that dual and multiple relationships in practice demonstrate ethical and potential boundary issues, involving social workers that encounter actual or potential conflicts between professional duties and their sexual, social, religious or business relationships (2003). Dual relationships primarily occur between social workers and that of current and past clients, social workers and their colleagues including supervisees and students, for example, if a social worker were to engage in a sexual relationship with a client or influence a client who may be terminally ill to ensure they will be included in the will (Reamer, 2003). Furthermore boundary crossings can become harmful when dual relationships have negative consequences involving the social workers client or colleague, and possibly the social worker as well (Reamer, 2003). …show more content…
For example, a social worker who discloses personal information to a client outlining their intimate details about their private life can confuse the client and compromise the client’s mental health due to complicated transference issues caused by the social workers self-disclosure (Reamer, 2003). Reamer continues to suggest that boundary issues in social work can be placed into five conceptual categories that revolve around the five most central themes pertaining to social workers consisting of; (1) imitate relationships, (2) pursuit of personal benefit, (3) emotional and dependence needs, (4) altruistic gestures and (5) responses to unanticipated circumstances (2003). However, community organisers often encounter ethical dilemmas in practice, as many engage within the community, constituency groups, local institutions and government decision makers on a regular basis (Hardina, 2004). Hardina states that practice activities occur outside the traditional agency settings and are not directly addressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Works (2004). As the community organisation is outside of the traditional clinical setting and involves using power and influence to achieve using a social change. Due to this, organisers will often require the appropriate methods in order to resolve ethical dilemmas that arise during practice. Hardina (2004) argues that the first step in solving ethical dilemmas is determining whether the organiser should address the issue alone, or whether the issue needs to involve a dialogue with constituents or colleagues involved with the organisation. However if the
Firstly, organisers need to establish if there is an ethical dilemma by asking questions such as, can the situation can be broken down into competing ethical principles and is it a case of one principle versus another? (Chenoweth & McAuiffe, 2015, p. 80-81). Yeung, Ho, Lo & Chan (2010) conducted a study consisting with final year social work and nursing undergraduates, who reflected in ethical decision-making as both professions often work with drug abuse and the ethical dilemmas involved. While both groups showed that each profession based their ethical decision-making upon the principle structure learned in the classroom, reflecting on their area of practice, showing individuals may find a gap between the espoused theory and actual practice (Yeung et al, 2000). The outcome showed that social work students favoured the self-determination principle and respected the client’s decision, however the students believed the client should be well informed through education before making a decision (Yeung et al, 2010). However, nursing students considered the ethics of autonomy during this study linking it with beneficence and paternalism, while defining autonomy (in this particular case) by respecting the patient’s decision and their right to refuse treatments, while also providing alternatives and analysing the pros and cons in the scenario (Yeung et al, 2010). Social workers, however, keep to a Code of Conduct, as well as the Code of Ethics, although there are times when crossing over the boundary is unforeseeable (Reamer, 2003). …show more content…
Reamer suggests that dual and multiple relationships in practice demonstrate ethical and potential boundary issues, involving social workers that encounter actual or potential conflicts between professional duties and their sexual, social, religious or business relationships (2003). Dual relationships primarily occur between social workers and that of current and past clients, social workers and their colleagues including supervisees and students, for example, if a social worker were to engage in a sexual relationship with a client or influence a client who may be terminally ill to ensure they will be included in the will (Reamer, 2003). Furthermore boundary crossings can become harmful when dual relationships have negative consequences involving the social workers client or colleague, and possibly the social worker as well (Reamer, 2003). …show more content…
For example, a social worker who discloses personal information to a client outlining their intimate details about their private life can confuse the client and compromise the client’s mental health due to complicated transference issues caused by the social workers self-disclosure (Reamer, 2003). Reamer continues to suggest that boundary issues in social work can be placed into five conceptual categories that revolve around the five most central themes pertaining to social workers consisting of; (1) imitate relationships, (2) pursuit of personal benefit, (3) emotional and dependence needs, (4) altruistic gestures and (5) responses to unanticipated circumstances (2003). However, community organisers often encounter ethical dilemmas in practice, as many engage within the community, constituency groups, local institutions and government decision makers on a regular basis (Hardina, 2004). Hardina states that practice activities occur outside the traditional agency settings and are not directly addressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Works (2004). As the community organisation is outside of the traditional clinical setting and involves using power and influence to achieve using a social change. Due to this, organisers will often require the appropriate methods in order to resolve ethical dilemmas that arise during practice. Hardina (2004) argues that the first step in solving ethical dilemmas is determining whether the organiser should address the issue alone, or whether the issue needs to involve a dialogue with constituents or colleagues involved with the organisation. However if the