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Ethical Dilemma in Social Work
By (Student name)
Institutional Affiliation (School)
Course Title (Class)
Instructor (Tutor)
Date
, 2
Ethical Dilemma in Social Work
History of the Practice Context for Ethical Dilemma
Self-determination is the context of ethics refers to the concept of respecting a
person’s wishes and considering his/her views in decision-making processes in which the
person is a party of interest. The concept mainly applies for persons with predefined
preferences, which they would like to be fulfilled in their absence or incapacity to realize
these wishes themselves. Therefore, as Wehmeyer and Shogren (2016) observe, the preserve
of ‘self-determination’ would then apply for a minimally conscious person and would involve
provide care according to the person’s wishes or desires.
The origin of the idea of self-determination (rights to choose) traces back to the
eighteenth century, during the course of French and American revolutions, following the end
of World War II. The term coined its meaning during the battle for nationalism, which sought
progression towards liberty, justice, and freedom against authoritarian rule. In practice, the
notion of self-determination provided the impetus for de-colonization, and as of today, has
been conflated with independence, in the sense of promoting self-actualization and liberty to
exercise freedom, autonomy, non-discrimination and sovereignty (Danspeckgruber &
Gardner, 2024). According to Quaye et al. (2021), self-determination rights extends to
children, and follows the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of age. This
nonetheless, invites the principle of best interest, which somewhat in contexts argues that
children in their juvenile cognitive capacities may fall vulnerable to adversities, occasioning
the application of the principle of ‘best interest’. Quaye et al. (2021) consider ‘best interest’
in the context of decision-making as that which entails doing or acting within desires of a
patient, to ensure best outcomes as s/he may have wished. In a child’s case, the custodian to
his/her best interests is manly the parent, family or legal guardian.
Case Study Scenario
A social worker working with adolescents has a 15-year-old boy coping with clinical
depression. The boy (Ken-pseudonym) reports to experience troubles, characterized by
strained relationships with parents, struggling with school and staying out past curfew hours.
The turn of events is disturbing to parents who express worries that they were losing their
son. They are worried about the new friends that Ken is making, which comprise of school
drop-out teenagers (Reamer, 2009).
Ethical Dilemma in Social Work
By (Student name)
Institutional Affiliation (School)
Course Title (Class)
Instructor (Tutor)
Date
, 2
Ethical Dilemma in Social Work
History of the Practice Context for Ethical Dilemma
Self-determination is the context of ethics refers to the concept of respecting a
person’s wishes and considering his/her views in decision-making processes in which the
person is a party of interest. The concept mainly applies for persons with predefined
preferences, which they would like to be fulfilled in their absence or incapacity to realize
these wishes themselves. Therefore, as Wehmeyer and Shogren (2016) observe, the preserve
of ‘self-determination’ would then apply for a minimally conscious person and would involve
provide care according to the person’s wishes or desires.
The origin of the idea of self-determination (rights to choose) traces back to the
eighteenth century, during the course of French and American revolutions, following the end
of World War II. The term coined its meaning during the battle for nationalism, which sought
progression towards liberty, justice, and freedom against authoritarian rule. In practice, the
notion of self-determination provided the impetus for de-colonization, and as of today, has
been conflated with independence, in the sense of promoting self-actualization and liberty to
exercise freedom, autonomy, non-discrimination and sovereignty (Danspeckgruber &
Gardner, 2024). According to Quaye et al. (2021), self-determination rights extends to
children, and follows the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of age. This
nonetheless, invites the principle of best interest, which somewhat in contexts argues that
children in their juvenile cognitive capacities may fall vulnerable to adversities, occasioning
the application of the principle of ‘best interest’. Quaye et al. (2021) consider ‘best interest’
in the context of decision-making as that which entails doing or acting within desires of a
patient, to ensure best outcomes as s/he may have wished. In a child’s case, the custodian to
his/her best interests is manly the parent, family or legal guardian.
Case Study Scenario
A social worker working with adolescents has a 15-year-old boy coping with clinical
depression. The boy (Ken-pseudonym) reports to experience troubles, characterized by
strained relationships with parents, struggling with school and staying out past curfew hours.
The turn of events is disturbing to parents who express worries that they were losing their
son. They are worried about the new friends that Ken is making, which comprise of school
drop-out teenagers (Reamer, 2009).
