A typical South Asian client is more familiar with the concepts

5.3 Case Study

 

A typical South Asian client is more familiar with the concepts of collectivism and family interdependence, consider this, the required readings and ethical topics of privacy and confidentiality when addressing the following case.

 

Para, a high school junior goes to see the school counselor because she is upset that her parents forbid her to date. Para’s parents immigrated to the United States from India when she was 3 years old, and her parents strictly follow Indian traditions, and this includes no dating. Para’s parents will ultimately decide when it is time for her to marry, and they will ask extended family members to help with locating a suitable husband for Para. Para will have no say in who her husband will be, and may not even meet him until their wedding day. Para expresses to the school counselor that this not fair, she does not want to have an arraigned marriage, she has a goal of becoming a surgeon. The school counselor suggests that Para talks with her family or a trusted relative about this, to which Para responds, “I can’t. My father will consider this an act of betrayal, family issues are not openly shared with others and he would not be happy I am even speaking to you.” The school counselor has no formal training in South Asian customs or traditions and is unsure if she should make contact with the family to discuss this further, make a referral for outpatient therapy or just continue to meet with Para during school hours without letting the family know. The school counselor values Para’s autonomy, as well as her privacy and confidentiality and she place tremendous value in developing independence as an adolescent.

 

DISCUSSION REQUIREMENTS

Applying Reamer’s (2005) ethical decision model below, please explore any ethical considerations (specific codes as well as dilemmas) as well as include any cultural issues related to privacy and confidently, independence and Indian customs and traditions.   

 

 1 - Identify the conflicts between the ethical and legal expectations and requirements, including the social work values and duties that conflict.

 2- Identify the individuals, groups, and organizations that are likely to be affected by the ultimate ethical decision

 3- Tentatively identify all possible courses of action and the participants involved in each, along with possible benefits and risks for each

 4 - Thoroughly examine the reasons in favor of and opposed to each possible course of action, considering relevant (a) ethical theories (for example, deontological and teleological perspectives), principles, and guidelines from literature on professional ethics; (b) codes of ethics (especially the NASW code of ethics); (c) constitutional provisions, statutes, regulations, court decisions, and executive orders; and (d) personal values (including religious, cultural, and ethnic values).

 5 - Consult with colleagues and appropriate experts (such as professional colleagues, supervisors, agency administrators, attorneys, ethics scholars and consultants, agency-based ethics committees).

 6 - Make the decision and document the decision-making process.

 7-  Monitor and evaluate the decision.

 

Additionally, in thinking about Para and her family and this week’s readings and resources, what are some specific cultural considerations unique to the South Asian community which might influence the school counselor’s role?

 

References

Singh, M., & Bhayana, R. (2015). Straddling three worlds: Stress, culture and adaptation in South Asian couples. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 37(1), 45-57. doi:10.1007/s10591-014-9319-1

http://search.ebscohost.com.postu.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=sih&AN=101555223&site=eds-live&scope=site 

Salam, R. A. (2014). Negotiating tradition, becoming American: Family, gender, and Aautonomy for second generation South Asians. El Paso: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC.

Chapter 1 Introduction: Second Generation South Asians: Negotiating Tradition and Becoming American

http://search.ebscohost.com.postu.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=638503&site=eds-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_1 

Chapter 7 Conclusion: Family, Gender and the Second Generation http://search.ebscohost.com.postu.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=638503&site=eds-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_213

 

 

Robson, B., & Juliene Lipson with Farid Younos and Mariam Mehdi. (2002). The Afghans Their History and Culture. Retrieved from The Cultural Orientation Project Web site by copying and pasting into your browser: http://www.culturalorientation.net/content/download/2137/12309/version/1/file/The+Afghans+Culture+Profile.pdf  

Tarasoff v. Board of Regents of the University of California information by coping and pasting into your browser: https://cyber.harvard.edu/torts01/syllabus/readings/buckner.html 

Jungers, C. M., & Gregoire, J. (2013). Counseling Ethics : Philosophical and Professional Foundations. Danvers, MA: Springer Publishing Company.

Chapter 6- Ethical and Legal Considerations for Confidentiality in Counseling http://search.ebscohost.com.postu.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=485653&site=eds-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_119