Competing values.
Student name.
Institution Name.
Course-name.
Competing values.
The competing values depicted in the scenario include integrity, dignity, the importance
of human relationship and competence. As a social worker, I should be honest to my employer
by elevating the interests of the people I serve beyond my values. However, I should also protect
Maria’s reputation by ensuring her private information is not shared with the public. Failure to
share the information requested by the principle might have adverse effects on my status and
compensation. The principal might view me as an ignorant employee who keeps secrets of
crucial information that might help students during the time of need. However, on the other hand,
I must strive to maintain the existing relationship with Maria. Therefore, integrity conflicts with
the importance of human relationship in the scenario.
As a social worker, I should protect the dignity and worth of Maria. Despite her family
being in a series of disagreement, Maria is entitled to protection as an underage. Her information
should be kept private to prevent psychological torture that might affect her after knowing that I
shared her information with the principle. However, it's my role to ensure the student is helped
regardless of the outcome; therefore, competence conflicts with dignity. It’s my role to empower
Maria and ensure she is capable of handling her problems professionally. Consequently, I should
maintain a balance between society and individualistic goals through the response given to the
principal. For instance, the reply should depict a well though solution that targets to solve the
overall problem rather than risking the dignity and relationship between Maria and me.
As a student who is facing social injustice through the problems portrayed by her family,
Maria deserves close supervision and sensitization on how to overcome her attitude rather than
the publicity that might worsen the situation at hand. Therefore, to maintain a balance between
Maria and the principle, I should provide adequate information to facilitate the decision-making
process on how to help Maria overcome the problem. I should be honest and share the
information with the principle to facilitate the recovery process. Therefore, the actions conflict
integrity and human relationship between me, Maria and the principal.
