Verified Document

Ethical Dilemmas In Social Work Essay

Kirst-Ashman & Hull (2008: 280) mention an example involving a social worker who is transferred to another department with a higher salary. He is however involved with a client who had just completed a long journey of establishing trust with him. If he leaves her at this time, she will a have great difficulty to reestablish trust, and she will also feel betrayed by him. It is important to consider her well-being as highly important; more so than the transfer or the increased salary. From an ethical point-of-view, the best decision would be to maintain the relationship with the client, and opt for a transfer once her service is terminated, or once she is sufficiently stable to build a functional relationship with a different social worker. With the development of online technology, social work and ethics have also acquired an extra dimension. The Internet has made research both easier and somewhat depersonalized. When personal and demographic information is for example retrieved for the purpose of social work research, it is easy to forget the ethical situations that may arise, especially as these concern privacy and confidentiality issues. This is a concern addressed in a paper by McCleary (2007).

McCleary emphasizes that ethical concerns should be as important in the online research environment as I the offline one. She for example states that online research participants are as human as those in the physical vicinity. As such, they should be both respected and protected. When confidential information is necessary to further the purpose of the research, the researcher should make as much effort to obtain informed consent as in offline research. Full disclosure should also be provided in terms of the purpose, outcome, and potential harm that might be involve in the research.

Kirst-Ashman...

To find the best of possible solutions, the social worker is required to think critically about ethical dilemmas in order to obtain the various perspectives from which it might be viewed. This will then enable them to make a sound decision regarding a solution.
In conclusion, ethical dilemmas in social work are inevitable. If the client's well-being cannot take precedence in terms of the Code, it is important to inform him or her of the situation and of the options that are being considered. All ethical dilemmas should be handled with the Code of Ethics in mind, and with the optimal integrity when considering all the viewpoints and stakeholders involved. In this way, social work is a profession that involves more than simply helping people; it involves creating a healthy social environment for optimal living conditions.

References

Hepworth, Dean H., Rooney, Ronald H., Rooney, Glenda Dewberry, Strom-Gottfried, Kim & Larsen, Jo Ann. (2009). Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Cengage Learning.

Franklin, Cynthia, Harris, Mary Beth, Allen-Maeres, Paula. (2006). The School Services Sourcebook: a guide for school-based professionals. Oxford University Press.

Kirst-Ashman, Karen K., Hull, Grafton H. (2008). Understanding Generalist Practice. Cengage Learning.

McCleary, Roseanna (2007). Ethical Issues in Online Social Work Research. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Vol. 4, No.1. http://www.socialworker.com/jswve/content/view/46/50/

NASW. (2009). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

Sources used in this document:
References

Hepworth, Dean H., Rooney, Ronald H., Rooney, Glenda Dewberry, Strom-Gottfried, Kim & Larsen, Jo Ann. (2009). Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Cengage Learning.

Franklin, Cynthia, Harris, Mary Beth, Allen-Maeres, Paula. (2006). The School Services Sourcebook: a guide for school-based professionals. Oxford University Press.

Kirst-Ashman, Karen K., Hull, Grafton H. (2008). Understanding Generalist Practice. Cengage Learning.

McCleary, Roseanna (2007). Ethical Issues in Online Social Work Research. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, Vol. 4, No.1. http://www.socialworker.com/jswve/content/view/46/50/
NASW. (2009). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Social Work Field Perception of Social Work
Words: 2143 Length: 7 Document Type: Admission Essay

Social Work Field Perception of Social Work Social work is a challenging profession that also helps one make a difference in the lives of others (CUW 2011). It aims at improving the overall functioning and well-being of people served. A social worker must have a genuine and special concern for the poor, marginalized, and the vulnerable. Social work is an art and a science at the same time. It fits service to

Social Work What Does the
Words: 2274 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

Social work played a role in these processes in different ways, based on the existing perception about women and femininity. The profession itself has a range of ideological origins. Some people suggest that it is a continuance of the benevolent and charitable traditions linked to the functions of various Churches; others search for its roots in social movements, especially in the labor agencies and the women's movement. Various welfare regimes

Social Work Summary Assessment of My Motivation,
Words: 912 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Social Work Summary Assessment of My Motivation, Readiness, and Suitability for the Profession of Social Work Social work is a profession that denotes incredible responsibility to individuals, community, and colleagues. As a personal passion, social work is a calling. Yet it takes more than interest in helping others to establish a professional foundation based on respect and hard work. My overall readiness for being a professional social worker depends on factors like

Ethical Dilemma I Once Worked As an
Words: 1770 Length: 6 Document Type: Essay

Ethical Dilemma I once worked as an office assistant at bank. Amongst other things, the office handled investments for clients. This business is fraught with ethical issues. In one situation, there was an employee - a stock broker -- who was pedaling to his clients a company in which he had an interest. This is considered to be unethical, because people who advise on investments are supposed to have a duty

Ethical Dilemma Analysis the Good
Words: 1482 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

This is an extraordinary ethical dilemma, historically speaking and thus reflected through the novel, because, from a utilitarian point-of-view, the action of allying with the Soviets during the Second World War is just: choosing the lesser of the evils to defeat the greatest evil manifesting itself at that time, the evil one is fighting. On the other hand, given the later implications, the evil force that the Soviet Union came

Ethical Dilemmas in International Marketing
Words: 5082 Length: 15 Document Type: Essay

Ethical Dilemmas & Marketing Ethical Dilemmas Ethical dilemmas in international marketing Background of Marketing Ethics Ethical Issues in Marketing Modern Debate in Stakeholder Theory Ethical Theories Teleological Theories Virtue Ethics Ethics in Marketing Ethical dilemmas in international marketing Humanity has long struggled with the question of what constitutes ethical behavior. The answer to this question has not always been simple or easy especially in the midst of conflicting interests. Businesses desire and need to sell products to consumers but serious issues

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now