Ethical decision making is a complex process that requires careful thought and deliberation. There are often many different ways to resolve an ethical dilemma, but seldom a clear indication of which way is best. Furthermore, the action taken to resolve a dilemma may conflict with specific laws, such as the mandated reporting of abuse or the duty to warn a third party of a threat. Given these complexities, it is important to be familiar with ethical decision-making models, the NOHS standards for ethical practice, and relevant laws to guide your decision making.
For this Assignment, you consider how to respond to ethical and legal dilemmas that may arise when working with children and families, using what you have learned this week about ethical decision-making models, the NOHS standards for ethical practice, and relevant laws.
To Prepare
Review the ethical dilemma scenarios below and select one to analyze for this Assignment.
Review the Learning Resources on ethical approaches, standards, and considerations, paying close attention to the NOHS ethical standards.
Identify the ethical or legal dilemma(s) in the scenario you selected.
Consider how you would approach the dilemma(s), using relevant ethical approaches/standards and laws.
Ethical Dilemma Scenarios
You are conducting a home visit and encounter one of the following three scenarios involving the family you are working with. Select one to write about for your Assignment.
Ethical Dilemma 1
When you arrive at the home, there is an altercation happening between the mother and child. The mother slaps the boy. Naturally, you flinch from the shock and from the sound of the palm hitting skin. The mother then turns on you, gets close to your face, and is ready to hit you as well. What do you do?
Ethical Dilemma 2
When you arrive at the home, you see the father shooting up drugs—possibly methamphetamine—in the living room as the four children play around him. What do you do?
Ethical Dilemma 3
When you arrive at the home, the family has just cooked a meal. The mother offers you a plate, insisting that you should eat with them. You don’t want to insult her or break a cultural expectation, but you do not want to accept the offer. What do you do?
By Day 7
Submit a 1- to 2-page paper analyzing the ethical dilemma found in the family scenario. In your paper:
Describe the ethical or legal dilemma(s) in the scenario you selected.
What would you do? Explain your actions and decision-making as the HSPP in the scenario.
Refer to the NOHS ethical standards and to applicable laws to justify your approach.
