Law Versus Morality: Cases and Commentaries on Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice

IF 0.7 Q4 SOCIAL WORK

Ethics and Social Welfare Pub Date : 2022-09-13 DOI:10.1080/17496535.2022.2117015

C. Odo, U. Nwatu, Manal Makkieh, Perfect Elikplim Kobla Ametepe, Sarah Banks

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines two cases that present ethical challenges encountered by social workers in making decisions either to maintain professional boundaries or fulfil moral obligations while working with service users in vulnerable situations. In the first case, a Lebanese social worker narrates how she was motivated to step out of her official responsibilities to assist a refugee mother of three who showed suicidal ideation. In the second case, a Ugandan social worker recounts her experience while working with a family whose 12-year-old daughter was raped and became pregnant, but whose parents refused to accept abortion when medical diagnosis showed that the girl’s life was in danger. A commentary from the authors is provided after each case. Both social workers were arguably motivated to act based on their concern to care for people, protect human rights, and save lives in the two case scenarios. This underscores the relevance of the ethics of care and virtue ethics in describing the associated ethical challenges in both cases. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of the ethical challenges encountered by the social workers demands open minds and flexibility in decision-making.

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法律与道德:社会工作实践中的伦理问题案例与评析

摘要本文探讨了两个案例，这两个案例提出了社会工作者在与弱势群体中的服务用户合作时，在做出维持职业界限或履行道德义务的决定时所遇到的道德挑战。在第一个案例中，一名黎巴嫩社会工作者讲述了她是如何摆脱官方职责，帮助一名有自杀念头的三个孩子的难民母亲的。在第二个案例中，一名乌干达社会工作者讲述了她在一个家庭工作时的经历，该家庭12岁的女儿被强奸并怀孕，但当医学诊断显示女孩有生命危险时，其父母拒绝接受堕胎。在每一个案例之后都会提供提交人的评论。可以说，在这两种情况下，两位社会工作者都是出于关心他人、保护人权和拯救生命的动机而采取行动的。这突出了护理伦理和美德伦理在描述这两种情况下的相关伦理挑战方面的相关性。此外，社会工作者所面临的道德挑战具有动态性，这就要求他们在决策时保持开放的心态和灵活性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ethics and Social Welfare SOCIAL WORK-

CiteScore

1.60

自引率

20.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Ethics and Social Welfare publishes articles of a critical and reflective nature concerned with the ethical issues surrounding social welfare practice and policy. It has a particular focus on social work (including practice with individuals, families and small groups), social care, youth and community work and related professions. The aim of the journal is to encourage dialogue and debate across social, intercultural and international boundaries on the serious ethical issues relating to professional interventions into social life. Through this we hope to contribute towards deepening understandings and further ethical practice in the field of social welfare. The journal welcomes material in a variety of formats, including high quality peer-reviewed academic papers, reflections, debates and commentaries on policy and practice, book reviews and review articles. We actively encourage a diverse range of contributions from academic and field practitioners, voluntary workers, service users, carers and people bringing the perspectives of oppressed groups. Contributions might include reports on research studies on the influence of values and ethics in social welfare practice, education and organisational structures, theoretical papers discussing the evolution of social welfare values and ethics, linked to contemporary philosophical, social and ethical thought, accounts of ethical issues, problems and dilemmas in practice, and reflections on the ethics and values of policy and organisational development. The journal aims for the highest standards in its published material. All material submitted to the journal is subject to a process of assessment and evaluation through the Editors and through peer review.