Chapter 15. Ethical Practice Issues in Rural Perspective

SUMMARY

Community context has been viewed for more than two decades as the central organizing frame for rural social work practice. Ethical decision-making is complicated by multiple relationships with colleagues, caregiving family members, and elders that are common in rural areas. In order to address these complex situations, a model for multilevel contextual ethical analysis is proposed. The assumption that moral deliberations are based in social relationships is the foundation for contextual ethical analysis. An expanded unit of analysis that includes considering the influence of multiple persons and institutions at multiple levels is an integral part of contextual ethical analysis that supports social workers' efforts to equalize power. Engagement in consciousness raising concerning ethical dimensions of the links between private troubles and public policies is essential. Ethically responsible practice thus includes identifying the ethical foundation for collective political action that promotes social and economic justice by expanding available options when readily available solutions are unjust.

Key Words:

• Ethical practice
• rural practice
• elders