Research Paper Abortion
Abortion issues can be discussed within the framework of five ethical principles of autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, and malfunctioned. Various ethical decision-making models and self-examinations within the context of both personal values and use of the principles of autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, and malfunctioned can generate discussion and problem solving abilities for counselors. Controversy surrounding abortion is not new. According to the Center for Disease Control (2008), there were over 1 million abortions in United States in 1994.
Abortions are very common, In fact, more than 1 out of 3 women in the United States have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old (Planned Parenthood, 2008). In the past, decisions about abortion primarily reflected values about human life, while today; emphasis on abortion decision-making includes more consideration of the right to health and personal choice (Wilmette, 1992). Opinions concerning abortion tend to be strong and outspoken so the societal impact on clients considering abortion can be extensive.
A client can struggle with her own value system, but also must face society value system as well. As a future counselor, this paper is focused on identifying issues regarding abortions, examining how these issues relate to ethical practice and principles, and looking at ways counselors can resolve dilemmas involving their clients’ decisions. It is crucial for counselors to ethically reason how personal values about abortion could translate into a client outcome or cause a counselor to experience dissonance.
Dissonance is the feeling of uncomfortable tension which comes from holding two conflicting thoughts in the mind at the same time. When clients consider induced abortion, counselors can experience powerful feelings, such as intense anxiety-like reactions (Master, 1978). If a counselor is not sensitive to reef issues and encourages clients to “move on,” the grief that is socially neglected can complicate issues for counselors as well as clients. When grief is not recognized, accepted and resolved, maladaptive behaviors could be an end result (Worded, 1982).
There are two areas involving abortion counseling in which a counselor can be held liable for negligence. The first area is “the counselor does not act with skill and withholds pertinent information or provides false information” (Angelo, 1979). For example, a counselor who holds a belief that abortion is a bad choice could try to bestow that belief mongo their client. The counselor could end up giving information to their client about abortion options, such as adoption or raising the child, and neglect to inform the client about any possible abortion benefits.
The second area is “the counselor does not refer the client’ (Angelo, 1979). If a counselor continues to provide care for the client without the necessary knowledge to help the client cope effectively, they are providing more harm, than good. In regard to this, Section A. 1 1 . B. , in the AC Code of Ethics refers to the appropriate transfer of services. The code states: “if counselors determine an inability to be professional assistance to clients, they avoid entering or continuing counseling relationships” (Well, 2006, p. 87). Section A. 4. B. , in the AC Code of Ethics demands that counselors be aware of their own values, attitudes and personal beliefs and how they apply in our society (AC, 2005). Counselors should withhold their personal views, while being aware of them and give professional facts. Corey, Corey, & Callahan (1993) stressed the importance of clarity in understanding the need to assess the extent to which counselor values are likely to interfere with the objectivity added to be effective with clients.
The process of clarifying a counselors values would obviously require the consideration of whether or not abortion is ever a morally acceptable alternative and, if so, under what circumstances. For example, if a counselor believes that abortion is wrong no matter what happened and they knowingly accept a client of abortion, they are practicing incompetently. Ethical Principles Abortion issues will be discussed within the framework of five ethical principles of autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, and malfunctioned.
Kitchener (1984) entailed when ethical codes are not sufficient to solve an ethical dilemma, counselors are advised to turn to a higher level of ethical reasoning, which involves ethical principles. Kitchener (1984) identified five ethical principles most essential to counseling concerns as, autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence and malfunctioned. The following are some ways in which these ethical principles could relate to counselors who counsel women that are considering abortion. Autonomy is defined by Well (2006) as “respect for the inherent freedom and dignity of each person” (p. 2). In other words, since people have intrinsic dignity they should be free to make their own choices. A therapeutic relationship concerning abortion may threaten autonomy in at least two ways. First is the conflict between the rights of the unborn and the rights of the mother (Cahill, 1984). Do both the mother and fetus have a right to autonomy? The mother is capable of making her own decision, but the fetus is unable to do so. Second is the fact that a counselor’s point of view may determine what type of observation is made and possible misinterpretation Of the observation as a result.
Autonomy can be abused in cases where a counselor imposes his or her own values on the client, either directly or indirectly (Thompson, 1990). Fidelity is loyalty. Well (2006) defines fidelity as dealing ‘With faithfulness to promises made and to the truth” (p. 36), which in essence can be referred to as truthfulness within a relationship. Fidelity implies protections of the client’s interests. Section B regarding confidentiality in the AC Code of Ethics (2005) specifies that the confidentiality of a client may be violated when there is believed to be a clear and imminent danger to the client or others.
Counselors in the U. S. Are required by Section B. 2. A. , in the AC Code of Ethics, to only violate confidentiality of a client and warn an intended victim hen a client poses a threat to self or another. A counselor can debate this and breech confidentiality to fulfill not only an ethical but moral obligation. Because this ethical reasoning is contradictory, one might apply the utilitarian principle, which is finding the greatest balance of good. If a counselor were to breech confidentiality in a case like this, there would be a number of serious and undesirable consequences.
The client could experience increased distress; others involved intimately with her could also experience increased distress, possible legal action against the counselor for malpractice and even censure revocation. Justice is defined as “the obligation to act fairly” (Well, 2006, p. 35). Counselors must realize the pride of all individuals and prevent bias in professional action (Well, 2006). Justice refers to a sense of fairness. When considering justice, one is drawn to other principles of autonomy, beneficence, malfunctioned and fidelity.
Counselors might experience uncertainty when they sense their own justice breached by their difference of thought and action. When counseling women of abortion, justice calls for reasonable thinking and a lack of personal dissonance. Beneficence, which means to do good, should be at the core of the counseling profession. A counselor will influence a client and should be aware of personal responsibility in that regard. Counselors could influence client’s decisions because they are Often seen as an authority figure.
Depending on the personal morals and values of the counselor they could introduce some options while withholding others from their clients. Full disclosure of reasonable options along with discussion of risks and benefits seems to be the standard of care in counseling clients considering abortion (Hansen & Goldberg, 1999). Competence is an important principle of beneficence. A counselor must be skilled and competent to do good for another person. Malfunctioned is distinguished from beneficence by doing no harm.
Whereas competence is important to the principle of beneficence, incompetence is integral to the concept of malfunctioned. Incompetence can lead to malpractice suits. When a counselor fails to provide good professional practice, they are practicing incompetently. Counselors must commit themselves to contain Lully remain aware of client and self-values, and to practice competently. Counselors can be held liable in abortion cases by unseeing with deficit skills, providing false information, and furnishing negligent referrals (Angelo, 1 979; Hansen & Goldberg, 1999).
Recommendations for counselors Throughout research one can come up with eight recommendations for counselors to consider in working with clients of abortion based on articles reviewed. Section A. 4. B. , in the AC Code of Ethics refers to avoiding harm and imposing values on clients. The code states: “counselors are aware of their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors and avoid imposing values that are inconsistent with counseling goals” (Well, 2006, p. 385). First, it is recommended that counselors begin with a thoughtful and thorough examination of their own moral and ethical views on abortion.
Second, counselors should be prepared to refer clients considering abortion to other practitioners when appropriate. Section A-1 1 . B. , in the AC Code of Ethics refers to the inability to assist clients. The Code states: “if counselors determine an inability to be of professional assistance to clients, they avoid entering or continuing counseling relationships” (Well, 2006, p. 387). Third, in the process of working with clients as they contemplate, plan, or actually eave abortions, counselors may find themselves experiencing inner conflict.
It is then advisable depending on the intensity and the duration of distress, some counselors may benefit from individual counseling to cope with the aftermath they might experience (Master, 1978). Fourth, Counselors should become familiar with state and federal laws pertaining to abortion. Section C. I in the AC Code of Ethics refers to knowledge of standards. The code states: “counselors have a responsibility to read, understand and follow the AC Code of Ethics and adhere to applicable laws and regulations” (Well, 006, p. 391).
Fifth, counselors who are educators should incorporate abortion related issues into courses and have students carry out a detailed self-assessment for themselves. Section F. 6. A. , in the AC Code of Ethics refers to responsibilities of counselor educators. The code states: “counselor educators who are responsible for the developing, implementing, and supervising educational programs are skilled as teachers and practitioners” (Well, 2006, p. 399). Sixth, counselors who are educators should discuss abortion with students within the context of worldviews and theoretical orientations.
Finally, it is important for counselors to be realistic of what they try to achieve in terms of their ability to anticipate and successfully deal with ethical and personal dilemmas surrounding abortion as an issue in counseling. Section C. 2. A. , in the AC Code of Ethics refers to boundaries of competence. The code states: “counselors practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience” (Well, 2006, p. 391).
This is an important point for unsolder to remember. There never seems to be one right answer to a complex ethical dilemma. Various ethical decision-making models are available as aids in resolving conflict situations. By using a decision-making model, a counselor should be better able to offer a professional explanation for the course of action that was taken. Self-examination within the context of both personal values and counselors. Because universality, as identified by Yalta (2005), is seen to be healing, it is the hope that counselors will be encouraged to know that others struggle with abortion issues.
