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- Keyword
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- Client confidentiality; ethical issues; social work; open adotions; United States; (1)
- Ethical Issues in Counseling; Ronald Stein; ethical issues; social work; technological developments; (1)
- Ethics; legal standards; social work; conflict; U.S.; (1)
- Ethics; surrogate decision making; social work; health limitations; (1)
- Free will-determinism; social workers; clients' issues; responsibilities; controversy; (1)
- Publication
Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Social Work
Ethical Issues In Open Adoption, Frederic Reamer, Deborah Siegel
Ethical Issues In Open Adoption, Frederic Reamer, Deborah Siegel
Deborah H Siegel
Total secrecy and confidentiality no longer typify adoption in the United States. Today, most adoptions involve an exchange of information or some form of contact between the birth family and adoptive family - so-called open adoptions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of ethical issues associated with various forms of open adoption, including issues of privacy, confidentiality, self-determination, paternalism, conflicts of interest, deception, and truthtelling.We present guidelines for social work practice in open adoptions, based on current ethical theory and ethical standards in social work.
Moral Philosophy Meets Social Work, Frederic Reamer
Moral Philosophy Meets Social Work, Frederic Reamer
Frederic G Reamer
In recent years, social workers have become increasingly aware of ethical dilemmas in practice. Beginning especially in the mid-to-late 1970s, social work's literature has included a steady stream of reflections on difficult moral choices involving conflicts among professional duties and obligations (Loewnberg and Dolgoff 1996; Congress 1998; Reamer 1998, 1999). To what extent do clients have the right to engage in self-harming behavior without interference? How should social workers allocate scarce or limited resources such as emergency services, shelter beds, funds, and even their own time? Is it ethically permissible for social workers to violate laws and regulations they believe …
Ethical And Legal Standards In Social Work, Frederic Reamer
Ethical And Legal Standards In Social Work, Frederic Reamer
Frederic G Reamer
Social workers frequently encounter circumstances involving ethical and legal issues. In many instances, relevant ethical and legal standards complement each other; however, in some circumstances, ethical and legal standards conflict. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between U.S. ethical and legal standards in social work. The author presents a conceptually based typology of 4 types of relationships between legal and ethical standards. Case examples are included. The author concludes with a decision-making framework designed to enhance social workers' constructive management of difficult decisions involving ethical and legal standards.
Deciding For Others, Frederic Reamer
Deciding For Others, Frederic Reamer
Frederic G Reamer
One of the sadder features of life is that some individuals lose or never develop the ability to make decisions for themselves. Limitations due to age, mental disability, or physical disability sometimes interfere with individuals' capacity to make important judgments about their medical treatment, financial arrangements, and other personal matters.
Ethical Issues In Counseling / Book Review, Frederic Reamer
Ethical Issues In Counseling / Book Review, Frederic Reamer
Frederic G Reamer
Since the late 1970s, the professions have paid increased attention to ethical issues. Professions as diverse as law, medicine, engineering, business, journalism, nursing, law enforcement, psychology, and social work have taken a keen interest in the ethical dimensions of practice.
Social Workers' Management Of Error, Frederic Reamer
Social Workers' Management Of Error, Frederic Reamer
Frederic G Reamer
Social workers, like all professionals, sometimes make mistakes. For example, they may disclose clients' confidential information inappropriately, fail to respond to clients' reasonable requests in a timely manner, or engage in improper dual relationships with clients. Ideally, social workers who err would follow a protocol that honors the profession's commitment to responsible and honest communication and minimizes the practical risks faced by social workers who might be named in lawsuits, licensing board complaints, and ethics complaints. This article explores the nature and forms of social work error and possible constructive responses to it that (a) protect clients, (b) minimize risk …
The Free Will-Determinism Debate And Social Work, Frederic Reamer
The Free Will-Determinism Debate And Social Work, Frederic Reamer
Frederic G Reamer
Social workers'judgments about the determinants of clients' problems have a substantial effect on practitioners' willingness to provide assistance. There is considerable variation in professionals' beliefs about the extent to which clients are themselves responsible for their difficulties, as opposed to factors that are beyond their control. This article examines the philosophical controversy known as the free will-determinism debate, and assesses its implications for the profession of social work.