Ethics Case Study 6th

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Feb 20, 2024

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Running Head: FREEDOM VS. DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 1 Ethical Practice in Social Work Student Name Institutional Affiliation

FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 2 FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK Q1. Role Molarity in the case of Kim Davis Role morality is not evident in the case of Kim Davis. It would manifest as adherence to the unique set of ethical responsibilities and obligations in order to promote justice and enhance the well-being of client (Gibson, 2003). In the aforementioned case, Kim Davis as a public worker is entrusted with significant power and responsibility to serve clients which makes it crucial for her to navigate complex moral dilemmas while upholding professional values and integrity. In this light, by defying the federal court order to issue the marriage license to gay couples, Kim Davis is unaware of or opts to overlook personal bias and stereotyping thereby lacking integrity and shunning objective decision making. Arguably, even though gaysim may be considered morally inappropriate, which is relative, role morality would be permissible in this situation. This because as part of their professional practice, civil servants have a duty to advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations who face systemic barriers. Thus, as opposed to being biased and dwelling on personal beliefs, Kim Davis ought to have supported the gay couple by issuing marriage license as ordered by the court. Q2. Role Morality in the case of social worker Role morality is evident in the case of the social worker. Arguably, in the field of social work, role morality plays a crucial role as practitioners are in a social contract whilst entrusted with the responsibility of promoting social justice and advocating for vulnerable populations, which requires high level of self-reflection and awareness to avoid biased decision making. In this light, the social worker’s conscientiousness forced her to confront the ethical dilemma that challenged her personal beliefs and values, requiring her to prioritize the well-being and rights of

FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 3 the client over own desires. Accordingly, knowing that she would not be better placed to continue serving the client, the social worker proposes an alternative to ensure that the client gets the required services and adequately. Arguably, to effectively provide support and guidance, it becomes essential for social workers to set aside any personal biases or judgments they may hold individually. In this light, role morality would be ethically permissible in this case. It is through this role morality that the social worker navigated the complex moral dilemma and ultimately offered support to the client. Q3. The mandate of mental health providers in serving individuals whose lifestyle they find morally wrong Mental health providers should not be able to decline to provide services too individuals whose lifestyles they find morally wrong. Arguably, a key aspect or role morality within social work is the recognition and acceptance of diverse perspectives (Gray, 1996). This is because such care providers are constantly exposed to different cultural backgrounds, value systems, and belief structures among their clients. Thus, to effectively provide support and guidance, it becomes essential for mental health providers to set aside any personal biases or judgments they may hold individually. By embracing a respectful attitude towards these diversities, they create an environment where clients feel safe sharing their unique experiences without fear of discrimination or alienation. This promotes inclusivity within mental health practice by ensuring equal treatment for all individuals regardless of lifestyle, race, religion, gender identity, or socioeconomic background. Q4. Animosity of social workers towards mental health clients

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FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 4 It is not fair to a client if mental health services are provided by a social worker who harbors animosity or condemnation toward the client on the basis of the client’s sexual orientation. The client would be better served by a clinician who did not harbor such beliefs. This is because, arguably, it is dishearteningly for clients to face unfair treatment due to their sexual orientation. Moreover, from a personal point of view, the experience not only exacerbates client’s mental health and general wellbeing but also goes against the fundamental principles of social work. It is important for clinicians to remember that they are there not only to offer support but also to create a safe space where clients can be open about their experiences without fear of judgment. When personal biases hinder these objectives, they not only compromise the trust between client and professional but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigma surrounding diverse sexual orientations. Gay individuals should be able to seek mental health services knowing that they will receive care free from prejudice and condemnation. Q5. Disclosure of sexual orientation Ethical relativism holds that ethics depends entirely upon context (McDonald, 2010). As such, given the potential adverse consequences, it s hould be left open for clients to decide whether they wish to identify their sexual orientation upon admission to mental health facilities. Precisely, while it may seem logical to assume that clients should identify their sexual orientation upon admission to mental health facilities, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications and potential consequences. Notably, assigning providers based on sexual orientation could inadvertently reinforce stereotypes and biases, perpetuating discrimination rather than addressing it. Moreover, the importance of understanding a client's sexual orientation might be exaggerated in this context. Thus, rather than focusing on assigning providers based on sexual orientation,

FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 5 mental health facilities should prioritize training their staff in cultural competency and sensitivity towards diverse populations. If a client does not divulge that he or she is gay until treatment has begun, it does not (or should not) risk harm to the client if a transfer to another therapist is made. This is because, mental health professionals are trained to provide unbiased and non-discriminatory care to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. However, it does risk harm to the client to continue working with a clinician who has antipathy toward him on the basis of his sexual orientation. This is because the client may internalize negative messages about themselves, leading to heightened levels of shame, self-doubt, and self-hatred. These emotions can exacerbate existing mental health struggles or even lead to new ones. Moreover, working with an unsupportive clinician can perpetuate feelings of isolation and invalidation in gay individuals who already face societal prejudice and discrimination. A healthy therapeutic alliance should provide a safe space for exploring feelings related to sexuality without fear of judgment or rejection. Q6. Dealing with clients Ethical practice in mental health provision necessitates an environment of trust, respect, and acceptance (Brennan, 2013). When a clinician holds biased views against a client's sexual orientation, it undermines this crucial foundation and compromises the therapeutic relationship (Brennan, 2013). As such, in cases where it is not possible to refer the client to another therapist due to limited staffing options, it would require that available therapists address their biases and take responsibility for their limitations whilst find alternative ways to support clients. Another important consideration is ensuring that therapists themselves have access to regular supervision and consultation. By seeking support from more experienced colleagues or utilizing online

FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 6 forums and communities, therapists could gain fresh insights and perspectives on how best to manage challenging situations when referral options are limited. This approach allows them to go beyond the confines of their beliefs and immediate resources and provide effective care within their current limitations. Q7. Religion Versus Law in the Davis case I think requirements included in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics to advocate for oppressed minority groups outweigh sincere religious objections that may be held by some social workers. One key reason why the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics outweighs sincere religious objections is its inherent focus on empowering marginalized communities. From a deontology perspective, the key duty of a social worker is to promote social justice by challenging and addressing systemic oppression (Bibus, 2013). By embracing this responsibility, they actively work towards eliminating barriers faced by oppressed minorities and creating an inclusive society. Any conflicting religious views would run counter to these principles and undermine the ethical foundation upon which social work stands. While acknowledging and respecting individual faiths is important, it must not override the broader goal of ensuring equity and fairness for all individuals irrespective of their backgrounds or identities. Furthermore, it can be argued that the greater importance lies in upholding principles derived from ethical codes rather than personal religious beliefs. Also, ideally, religion should promote justice and equality for all individuals.

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FREEDOM VS DUTY IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK 7 References Bibus III, A. A. (2013). Applying Approaches from Moral Philosophy, Especially Virtue Ethics, When Facing Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work. Czech & Slovak Social Work/Sociální Práce/Sociálna Práca , 13 (5). Brennan, C. (2013). Ensuring Ethical Practice: Guidelines for Mental Health Counselors in Private Practice. Journal of Mental Health Counseling , 35 (3). Gibson, K. (2003). Contrasting role morality and professional morality: Implications for practice. Journal of Applied Philosophy , 20 (1), 17-29. Gray, M. M. A. (1996). Moral theory for social work. Social Work-Stellenbosch- , 32 , 289-295. McDonald, G. (2010). Ethical relativism vs absolutism: research implications. European Business Review , 22 (4), 446-464.

Ethics Case Study 6th

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