Running head: Moral Reasoning

Moral Reasoning Benchmark

Zenobia Kindle-Davis
Wayne State University

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Moral Reasoning Benchmark

The paper uses information inside of and outside of the classroom to look at a case
provided and figure whether or not to report.
Do not report
In the case provided in the syllabus, there is a teenager who has complained about being
touched inappropriately; her friend suggests that she speak with a social worker about how to
deal with not being able to sleep because of the touching. This makes sense because in the class
text by Barsksky (2010), teenagers are just beginning to develop moral reasoning. They are
concerned about how society views them. Oswalt (2005) stated as well that, during the early
adolescent period, peers have a much greater influence.
It is easy to say report the incident when you hear the child say this because, the teenager
may be in danger, the step father may still be there, and there are laws requiring social workers
and other mandated reporters to report abuse within two hours. However, when you take a step
back and look at the situation; which includes a teenagers moral reasoning, you can wait and
look at the bigger picture. NASW code 1.04a covers self-determination, Kate can use her moral
reasoning to keep the abuse a secret. The worker has the option to take some time and come back
to the abuse.
Multiple teachers in Wayne States school of Social Work program have stated that
sometimes you have to take a step back before you act. They are not the only ones that feel this
way, Social workers may find themselves torn between their commitment to their clients
interests and their responsibility to the larger society when faced with the possibility of reporting
child abuse to authorities (NASW press 2014).

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There are many tools that you can use to help you look at a situation like the case
provided, and make the best decision you can. You must make sure you are competent in an area
before you try to handle a possible case as stated in the NASW code of ethics (1998). Whether
you are or not you should also speak with your supervisor. Also, its very important to gain
Kates trust and help her for the main reason she is coming. With Kate being in level two of
conventional thinking, start where she is. You can offer to help her with getting some rest at
night. Since you have 24 hours before you have to report and can neglect to report, take this time
and let Kate warm up to you.
It was also stated that Kates Mother was furious. This is another person that you can
bring in to not only help get Kate to talk, but to get a better understanding of the situation at
hand. State of Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) has a guide for mandated
reporters that states, Mandated reporters are an essential part of the child protection system
through their expertise and direct contact with children, to identify suspected child abuse and
neglect.
Those that believe it is important to report right away have a strong argument behind
them, There are civil and criminal penalties for a mandated reporters failure to make a report.
There is also a civil and criminal immunity for someone making a report in good faith (DHS
n.d.). This means that even if you arent sure what to do and after speaking with your supervisor
it is okay to call and report. A person working for and with others should never feel afraid to
report abuse.
Another reason to report is not just to protect you from harm, NASW press documented
that 695,000 children were victimized, 1,560 died due to abuse and neglect. Also, three-fifths of
all reports came from mandated reporters. Being a mandated reporter and using the NASW code

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of ethics helps children and teenagers see that society does care about them. Seven counties
services Inc. observed that when people go through traumatic events like abuse, it may set back
theyre moral compass and development in other areas. Clients like Kate are protected when
someone steps in to help them in crises.
The NASW code of ethics is a very important set of guidelines and standards that should
be used in practicing social work. The Social Worker in the office with Kate followed code 1.01
from the very beginning; the worker advised her that they would have to report a situation where
someone is possibly in danger. The worker also may need help because they are not competent
(code 1.04a) in the form of practice that Kate needs; reporting the incident and telling DHS may
help her get the help that she needs.
It is important to take time and look at the whole picture before deciding whether or not
to report abuse like what Kate went through. The social worker involved must weigh out the
consequences regarding whether or not to report. The worker must look at the mindset of a
teenager; the guidelines set by the National association of social workers, and speak with their
supervisor either way. However, Most the evidence read and provided suggests that in this
situation there is not enough information to call DHS right away. Gaining Kates trust and
possibly getting to interview her mother may help the worker get a better picture. You do not
want to interrupt a home, unless necessary. It is also understood that you do not want to face
penalties and criminal charges for not reporting the incident; it is very possible the step father
never left in the first place, among other options.

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References

Barsky, E. A. (2010). Ethics and Values in Social Work: An integrated approach for a
comprehensive curriculm. New York, New York: Oxford University Press
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). 1999. Code of ethics. Washington, DC:
Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp.
NASW Press (2014). Social workers and child abuse reporting [Review of state
mandatory reporting requirements]. Available from NASW Law Note website:
https://www.naswpress.org/publications/legal/inside/child-abuse-reporting-intro.html
Oswalt, A. (2005). Adolescent moral development. Child development theory: Retrieved
from http://sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=41172&cn=1310
Seven Counties Services Inc. (2005). Child development theory: Adolenscence. Retrieved
from http://sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=41172&cn=1310
State of Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS). (N.d.). Mandated Reporters
Resource guide. Retrieved from www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/Pub-112_179456_7.pdf