ethical dilemmas in line of duty
As social workers, we are often faced with ethical dilemmas in their line of duty. An ethical dilemma is an issue in the decision-making process between two potential alternatives, neither of which is adequate from a moral point of view. Three conditions must be available for a circumstance to be viewed as an ethical dilemma. First, the case must require an individual to settle on an intense decision. Furthermore, there must be various alternatives to choose from, and lastly, regardless of what option is picked, some ethical principle is undermined. The moral dilemma that may arise from Alex’s case is the right to self-determination.
Self-determination ethical dilemma is an idea that people can settle on their own choices about their lives, and is a focal point in social work practice. To resolve this dilemma, I will have to speak to Alex about her feelings and get to understand her reasons for wanting to take the surgery to change her gender completely. I would convince Alex to stop considering suicide as it is not the right way to go. I would also invite Alex’s parents and try to convince them that Alex, at 29 years, is an adult capable of making her decisions. I would urge her parents to respect and accept Alex’s decision to change her gender and give her support during this challenging period. I would also talk to Alex’s close friends to provide both social and emotional support to her. Lastly, I would offer counseling sessions to Alex for her to refrain from suicidal thoughts as well as boost her self-esteem.
Professional ethics are at the center of social work. The calling commits to express its essential qualities, moral standards, and ethical measures. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics presents these qualities, rules, and benchmarks to manage social workers’ conduct (NASW, 2017). In the decision-making process, first, I will have to determine the ethical dilemma at hand, which I discovered to be the right of self-determination to Alex. But being an adult, she is under no one’s obligation to do as they will. I will also have to acknowledge the main principles involved. In Alex’s case, I will have to notify a mental counselor as Alex was considering suicide, as well as inform her parents. Here I would have gone against the value of confidentiality, but the law allows it if it’s for the well-being of the client or patient.
Another critical consideration would be to understand which values are the priorities in my line of duty. I would assess if Alex’s decision to continue with the surgery would cause more harm to herself and her family, or would it bring self-fulfillment to them. I would also come up with a reliable course of action, and consult with all the necessary and close people to Alex before urging her to push through with her transgender surgery. I would involve the relevant people, such as a counselor, to help me implement my plan. Upon completion of the above steps, I would evaluate the impact of my decisions and if they bore positive results.