Law Versus Morality: Cases and Commentaries on Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice

Odo, Casmir Obinna; Nwatu, Uche Louisa; Makkieh, Manal; Ametepe, Perfect Elikplim Kobla; Banks, Sarah

Abstract

This article examines two cases that present ethical challenges encountered by social workers in making decisions either to maintain professional boundaries or fulfil moral obligations while working with service users in vulnerable situations. In the first case, a Lebanese social worker narrates how she was motivated to step out of her official responsibilities to assist a refugee mother of three who showed suicidal ideation. In the second case, a Ugandan social worker recounts her experience while working with a family whose 12-year-old daughter was raped and became pregnant, but whose parents refused to accept abortion when medical diagnosis showed that the girl’s life was in danger. A commentary from the authors is provided after each case. Both social workers were arguably motivated to act based on their concern to care for people, protect human rights, and save lives in the two case scenarios. This underscores the relevance of the ethics of care and virtue ethics in describing the associated ethical challenges in both cases. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of the ethical challenges encountered by the social workers demands open minds and flexibility in decision-making.

Citation

Odo, C. O., Nwatu, U. L., Makkieh, M., Ametepe, P. E. K., & Banks, S. (2023). Law Versus Morality: Cases and Commentaries on Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice. Ethics and Social Welfare, 17(1), 83-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2022.2117015

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 21, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 13, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 26, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 20, 2023
• Journal: Ethics and Social Welfare
• Print ISSN: 1749-6535
• Electronic ISSN: 1749-6543
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 83-89
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2022.2117015
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1190767