Ethical Reasoning and Dilemmas in Social Work: Marie's Case Study

This essay examines ethical reasoning and dilemmas within the context of social work, using a case study involving an elderly woman named Marie. The essay outlines the ethical challenges faced by Marie and her family, including her desire to maintain independence versus the challenges of her grandchildren's care and her children's concerns for her well-being. It applies the NASW steps for ethical problem-solving, identifies key ethical principles, and discusses ethical decision-making models, such as the ETHIC model. The essay emphasizes the importance of the social worker's role in supporting the client's self-determination and well-being while navigating complex family dynamics and ethical conflicts. It also highlights the significance of the NASW Code of Ethics in guiding social work practice, with a focus on the commitment to service, social justice, and the dignity and worth of the individual.

Running head: ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Notes

1ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
The modern society is encompassed by a variety of ethical issues. However, difficult
ethical choices faced by individuals in the modern world are called ethical dilemmas (Slade &
Prinsloo, 2013). The elderly or aged individuals are more likely to face such ethical dilemmas
and therefore are highly vulnerable. This in turn results in their exploitation as people take
advantage of their situations. According to the aged individuals, ethics are associated with their
ability to make their own choices and decisions and on the way they are treated by others (Van
der Dam et al., 2012).
This essay describes the NASW steps for ethical problem solving with respect to the case
study of Marie. It also provides the ethical decision making models and explains the NASW code
of ethics with respect to this case study.
The NASW essential steps for ethical problem solving involve Determine, Identify,
Rank, Develop, Implement and Reflect (Naswma.org, 2018). The first step involves
determination of the presence of an ethical dilemma and identify whether there is any conflict of
values or rights. In this case study, the first dilemma identified is with Marie. Marie feels
positive and happy when she is with her children and grand-children, however, she becomes
stressed due to the work associated with raising young children. She feels depressed, particularly
on her husband’s death anniversary. Another dilemma is with Marie’s children, Lisa and Toni.
They want their mother to enjoy the time with the grandchildren but also they are concerned
about whether their mother can tolerate the stress around their children. Another ethical dilemma
is that Marie takes her pain medications only if she is in pain. Additionally both Toni and Lisa
are faced with ethical dilemmas as Toni feels that she cannot take care of her mother and wants
her mother to live in an assisted living facility. She also thinks that her sister is taking advantage
of Marie. Lisa on the other hand wants Marie to take her pain medications and to bond with the

2ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
children more often. The next step is to identify the key principles or values associated with the
dilemmas. In this case study, the children are faced with the dilemma of whether to take of their
mother or to keep her in an aged care facility. The dilemma of the mother is that she wants to
stay with her children and grandchildren but become stressed. The next step is to rank the ethical
dilemmas. In this case study, the ethical dilemma faced Marie is most important because it
should be her decision whether to stay with her family members or live alone in an aged care
facility. The next step is to develop an action plan, which in this case study is to determine
whether an aged care facility will be suitable for Marie and whether this will have any
implications on her or on her children and grandchildren. The next step is to implement, which in
this case involves the use of skillful negotiation and sensitive communication. The last step is to
reflect on the outcomes associated with the ethical decision-making. It is necessary to evaluate
the consequences of this process on Marie, her children and grandchildren.
The type of data that needs to be collected for this case study involves conversations,
interactions with the individuals, informations about the medical conditions, interview
transcripts, video of the interactions or the interviews with the family members. Other data that
needs to be collected is demographic information, which will help to locate a suitable activity for
her, where she can engage herself (Aoir.org, 2018).
The ethical dilemma described in this case study is at first with respect to Marie. She
made her own decision to retire from her business because of physical demands, however, she
feels lonely and without any purpose after retiring. Therefore, if she had continued to work in her
business ventures it would have benefited her as she could have interacted with people and have
a purpose in life. She also would not have to move in with her children and feel anxious and
stressed with respect to the work associated with her grandchildren. Moreover, her children

3ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
would also not have been faced with the dilemma of whether to keep her with them or send her
to an aged care facility. Moreover, Marie would not have been faced with the dilemma of
whether to take her pain medications, as she was anxious that she would become like Lisa, who
also takes pain medications.
The ETHIC model of decision-making can be used to solve the ethical dilemmas
associated with this case study. This involves examining the relevant societal, personal and client
values. The next is to think on which standard belonging to the NASW code of ethics is
appropriate for the case study. The next step is to hypothesize the possible consequences
associated with the various decisions planned. The next step is to identify, which person will be
harmed and which person will benefit, keeping in mind the commitment of social workers to the
most vulnerable individuals. The last step is to consult with the supervisor with respect to the
ethical decisions made (Congress, 2017).
The social workers primary goal is to provide service to the client, who is in need
(Socialworkers.org, 2018). In this case study the person who is in need is Marie. She is in a
dilemma of whether to stray with her children or live alone. Next, the social workers are required
to carry out social justice by helping Mary to engage in activities that would enable her to lead a
happy and meaningful life and also not let her children, particularly Lisa to take advantage of her
(Morgaine, 2014). Next, the social workers need to maintain the dignity of the client, which in
this case is to promote self-confidence in Mary by engaging her in small activities that would
establish her self-worth (Dybicz, 2012). However, keeping this in mind it is also necessary for
the social worker to enable Mary to maintain a good relationship with her children.

4ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
Being a social worker, it is essential that I provide an environment to Marie, where she
can engage in activities that will establish and contribute to her self-worth and where she can
engage in conversation with individuals of her age. My commitment to the client allows me to
ensure her well-being and self-determination skills will enable me to assist the client move on in
the right path that would be beneficial for her. However, before carrying out the decision, I will
inform Marie about it and also obtain her opinion.
Thus, this essay brings forth the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals, particularly the
elderly. It is the duty of the social worker to determine these ethical dilemmas and identify the
risks associated with the dilemmas. Moreover, in addition to remaining committed to the client,
it is the duty of the social worker to steer the client in the right direction for the benefit of the
individual.

5ETHICAL REASONING AND DILEMMAS
Reference List
Aoir.org. (2018). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me. Aoir.org. Retrieved 19 January 2018, from
https://aoir.org/reports/ethics2.pdf
Congress, E. P. (2017). What social workers should know about ethics: Understanding and
resolving practice dilemmas. Social Work Ethics, 1909.
Dybicz, P. (2012). The ethic of care: Recapturing social work's first voice. Social work, 57(3),
271-280.
Morgaine, K. (2014). Conceptualizing social justice in social work: Are social workers “too
bogged down in the trees?”. Journal of Social Justice, 4(1), 1-18.
Naswma.org. (2018). Essential Steps for Ethical Problem-Solving - National Association of
Social Workers. Naswma.org. Retrieved 19 January 2018, from
http://www.naswma.org/page/100/Essential-Steps-for-Ethical-Problem-Solving.htm
Slade, S., & Prinsloo, P. (2013). Learning analytics: Ethical issues and dilemmas. American
Behavioral Scientist, 57(10), 1510-1529.
Socialworkers.org. (2018). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me. Socialworkers.org. Retrieved 19
January 2018, from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?
fileticket=ms_ArtLqzeI%3d&portalid=0
Van der Dam, S., Abma, T. A., Kardol, M. J. M., & Widdershoven, G. A. M. (2012). “Here’s my
dilemma”. Moral Case Deliberation as a platform for discussing everyday ethics in
elderly care. Health Care Analysis, 20(3), 250-267.

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