Watch the Us and Them documentary film (Us and Them First Ten MinutesLinks to an external site. | transcript), which follows the lives of four individuals experiencing homelessness.
Discuss the issues and challenges faced by these four individuals. Consider their struggles with homelessness, mental health, addiction, and other factors that impact their lives.
Assume you are a social worker who is contacting these four people. Identify and describe at least two ethical dilemmas that may arise from their experiences. For example, it could be the tension between the need for housing affordability, the balance between providing support and maintaining professional boundaries as a social worker, or the ethical implications of societal attitudes towards homelessness and addiction.
Analyze each ethical dilemma from the perspective of the NASW Code of Ethics. Consider the ethical principles, values, and standards that apply to the situation.
Briefly discuss how the Us and Them documentary has influenced your understanding of ethical dilemmas related to homelessness and social work practice.
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After watching the first ten minutes of the documentary film "Us and Them," it is evident that the four individuals portrayed face numerous challenges related to homelessness, mental health, addiction, and other factors that impact their lives. Their struggles highlight the complex issues that social workers often encounter in their profession.
One of the ethical dilemmas that may arise from their experiences is the tension between providing support and maintaining professional boundaries. Social workers have a responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment for their clients, but it can be difficult to maintain boundaries when working with individuals who are vulnerable and in need. For example, the social worker may be tempted to give personal financial assistance to their clients, which can blur professional boundaries and potentially create dependency.
Another ethical dilemma that may arise is the challenge of balancing the need for housing affordability. The documentary highlights the high cost of housing and the lack of affordable options available to individuals experiencing homelessness. Social workers may find themselves in situations where they are unable to secure appropriate housing for their clients due to financial constraints or lack of resources. This ethical dilemma arises from the tension between the social worker's duty to maximize the well-being of their clients and the systemic challenges that prevent affordable housing from being accessible to all.
From the perspective of the NASW Code of Ethics, several ethical principles, values, and standards apply to these situations. First, the principle of respect for the inherent dignity and worth of individuals guides social workers to treat each client with respect, regardless of their circumstances. This principle emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding actions that may harm or exploit clients, even with the best intentions.
Furthermore, the ethical principle of social justice and the value of the worth of the person are relevant in both ethical dilemmas. Social workers are bound to advocate for policies and practices that promote social justice and challenge societal attitudes towards homelessness and addiction. They must strive to ensure access to affordable housing and basic resources for their clients, while understanding the limitations and systemic barriers that may hinder their efforts.
The Us and Them documentary has provided a deeper understanding of the ethical dilemmas related to homelessness and social work practice. It has highlighted the complex intersection of personal struggles, societal attitudes, and systemic challenges that individuals experiencing homelessness face. By witnessing the experiences of the four individuals depicted in the film, I have gained insight into the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, advocating for social justice, and addressing the need for affordable housing to support vulnerable populations effectively. This documentary has further emphasized the significance of ethical decision-making and the need for social workers to navigate these dilemmas with compassion, respect, and adherence to professional standards.
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