Please reflect on where you stand on each of the 6 continua by using a Likert scale rating to identify where you stand. Use a 1 to 10 scale with 1 being the extreme left of the continuum and 10 being the extreme right of the continuum.

1. Free will vs Determinism (fate)

Rating: 4

I lean towards believing in free will, as I believe individuals can make choices and shape their own lives. This is influenced by my background in Child Protection Worker and a as Medical Social Worker. As a Child Protection Worker, I understand the importance of involving families and children in decisions that impact their lives. While ensuring safety remains vital, it's essential to collaborate with families to make choices that align with their values, within the bounds of child protection guidelines. As a Medical Social Worker, respecting patients' independence is key. People should have the ability to decide on their medical treatments, considering their beliefs and circumstances. However, I also acknowledge the influence of social determinants and systemic factors on people's lives, understanding that individuals may face limitations that impact their choices.

1. Self-determinism (autonomy) vs. paternalism (doing what you think is best for another)

Rating:3

Finding the right balance between letting someone make their own choices (autonomy) and making decisions for them (paternalism) is different when viewed from my perspective as a medical social worker, a remote social worker helping the elderly, and a former child protective worker. I believe people should have the freedom to make decisions about their own lives, even if those decisions might not align with what others perceive as "best." Individuals should have accurate information before making decisions. Social Workers should also recognize individuals' cultural values and promote collaboration. However, in situations where someone's safety or well-being is at risk, services or interventions might be necessary to protect them.

1. individual rights vs. social responsibility (community good)

Rating: 5

Our Code of Ethics emphasizes the significance of respecting individual dignity and rights, while also advocating for social justice and the well-being of our communities. Individuals should have the right to exercise their freedom. However, we should also consider how our actions impact society. Excessive focus on individual rights could weaken the common good, whereas prioritizing community interests entirely could infringe upon individual freedoms. This resonates with my role as a medical social worker during the height of Covid. There was a big divide about the mask mandate. Most felt it was an infringement upon their rights, even though they were being told it was in the best interest of the community. As a social worker, I believe there should be a balance between these two aspects. We should be seeking solutions that respect individual rights while promoting social responsibility.

1. Rights, privacy, non-interference (male) vs. relationships and connections to others (female),

Rating: 9

Prior to my current role as a remote social worker, I would have placed more value on prioritizing personal rights, privacy, and non-interference. I believe everyone has the right to make decisions about their body, property, and personal matters without outside interference. I have always understood the significance of relationships and fostering meaningful connections. However, fostering meaningful relationships and connections aligns closely with my perspective as a remote social worker utilizing telehealth. Building meaningful connections with my elderly clients fosters trust and enables better understanding of their needs. This strengthens my relationship to ensure confidentiality and privacy protections for my elderly clients. I recognize that both perspectives have value and should be considered in the decision-making process depending on the situation.

1. Always telling the truth regardless of consequences vs. it is better to lie if the truth causes more harm than good.

Rate: 8

I believe that honesty is the best policy. Our Code of Ethics also highlights the importance of integrity and honesty. I try to prioritize transparency in my interactions as a social worker. I understand the importance of being honest and how it can affect relationships. Being upfront and honest builds trust. While there may be certain circumstance where lying could prevent significant harm or protect someone's safety, we should carefully consider the consequences. This was emphasized in our first assignment and assessing the "Slippery Slope of Decision Making". Although Jack Abramoff' started off innocently, he eventually became numb to lying. The actions may justify the means, but they can also cause more harm than good. As social workers we should weigh the potential harm that could result from being dishonest and consider different approaches to minimize harm if necessary.