Positional Paper on Ethical Issue In a proposed case, Jenny, 18 years-old, a young pregnant teenager sought a counsellor and expresses her decision in considering an abortion because her boyfriend left her and she no longer can bear the responsibility alone. Jenny says that she really needs to talk her options over with an adult who is “outside of her family” and doesn’t wish to involve her parents into this as she never wants to disappoint her parents any longer. Jenny also said that she has been feeling depressed and socially withdrawn lately. In addition, she has insomnia, poor appetite and had significant weight loss recently. She fears that she would not be able to love give sufficient care to the baby. Jenny felt hopeless and worthless
…show more content…
This principle require psychologist to maintain the professional responsibility towards the society as well as professional behaviour and conduct (American Psychological Association, 2010). For example, in this case, the therapist is responsible not only to Jenny but also to her family and society. If the therapist opposes the idea of abortion by following his own values and principle, society might look down at Jenny as well her family for her teen pregnancy. Besides that, as the sequences, the whole family will get depressed and this would violate this ethic principle …show more content…
This principle acknowledges that the patient has a perspective of her interest based on her values and beliefs and has the right to choose or refuse treatment. In this case, it is important to take Jenny’s wish and opinions on the issue of abortion because she has the rights whether to continue or refuse taking the risk.
APA’s Ethic code 1.02: Conflicts between Ethics and Law, Regulations or Other Governing Legal Authority.
This code requires psychologist to clarify if the actions are against legal law and ensure ethical standards to client without sacrificing client’s autonomy, rights and dignity (American Psychological Association, 2010). In this case, it is the most important code to consider because abortion is legally law. In order to support Jenny with abortion, it must be taken into account that a proper health statement from doctor that states continuing pregnancy would cause more harm is needed in order to legally perform abortion. Otherwise, it would violate this law and can be charged under criminal offence.
APA’s Ethic code 3.04: Avoiding
This principle require psychologist to maintain the professional responsibility towards the society as well as professional behaviour and conduct (American Psychological Association, 2010). For example, in this case, the therapist is responsible not only to Jenny but also to her family and society. If the therapist opposes the idea of abortion by following his own values and principle, society might look down at Jenny as well her family for her teen pregnancy. Besides that, as the sequences, the whole family will get depressed and this would violate this ethic principle …show more content…
This principle acknowledges that the patient has a perspective of her interest based on her values and beliefs and has the right to choose or refuse treatment. In this case, it is important to take Jenny’s wish and opinions on the issue of abortion because she has the rights whether to continue or refuse taking the risk.
APA’s Ethic code 1.02: Conflicts between Ethics and Law, Regulations or Other Governing Legal Authority.
This code requires psychologist to clarify if the actions are against legal law and ensure ethical standards to client without sacrificing client’s autonomy, rights and dignity (American Psychological Association, 2010). In this case, it is the most important code to consider because abortion is legally law. In order to support Jenny with abortion, it must be taken into account that a proper health statement from doctor that states continuing pregnancy would cause more harm is needed in order to legally perform abortion. Otherwise, it would violate this law and can be charged under criminal offence.
APA’s Ethic code 3.04: Avoiding