Ethical dilemma - Case Study Example

For instance, socio-cultural background related to family structure and family inclusion often dictates personal responses to situations involving troubled families. The ethnographic background of the importance of relationships in the nuclear family often determine what should be the social norm regarding proper treatment of those within the family unit. Social class also plays a factor in determining ethical position as being in a middle-class family does not afford the resources to engage in high-dollar recreational activities (as one example), thus the family unit spends more quality time together inter-dependently.

The closeness achieved with other family members through social class limitations tends to dictate the importance of lineage and household relationships that somewhat influences ethical judgment. Therefore, in this particular case, I can sympathize with Elizabeth Smith’s position for finding concern about the potential dangers to her brother’s children, even though sexual abuse allegations against their neighbor were unfounded by evidence. In my personal view, children are valuable and important elements of lifestyle and affiliation from a needs perspective, thus prejudgments can play a role in determining what the right course of action should be in Smith’s situation.

Even though social location determines some of my personal values related to the case, as a social worker I must consider the nature of the CASW Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice as a guide rather than relying on personal dispositions on the issue. According to the Code of Ethics, confidentiality is one of the cornerstone values that the social worker must maintain. Value 5 of the CASW template describes that no information about the client should be discussed without informed consent from the client (CASW, 2005).

Further, Value 3 of the Code of Ethics also states that