The Conception of Human Service - Essay Example

? Case Study Unit 9 Introduction Human service professionals are regarded to be those personnel who are en d with the responsibility to help people suffering from any kind of psychological pressure and seeking counseling assistance. However, the conception of human services is a broad phenomenon encompassing legal aspects along with psychological, social as well as ethical responsibilities when developing strategies for the helping process. The professionals associated with this sector often need to serve vulnerable people providing moral as well as legal or knowledge-based assistance. They are also required to ensure the availability of resources when assisting people in need in the helping process (Brill, 2005). The impact of personal values, beliefs, prejudices and stereotypes on the helping process There are various factors which tend to impose significant impacts upon the successful completion of a helping process among which, the effects of personal values, beliefs, prejudices and stereotypes can be regarded as few of the most apparent influencing elements. As can be observed in the case scenario of Reggie and Todd, both these individuals differ significantly on the basis of their personal values, beliefs and prejudices. For instance, Reggie deciphered strong masculine personal values whereas Todd possessed effeminate characteristics to a greater extent which can impose a significant barrier in developing mutual understanding and feel of compromising among these individuals thus harming the helping process. The beliefs and prejudices deciphered by these two individuals have also been observed to be highly distinctive. Where on one hand, the welcoming behavior of Todd to bring Reggie back home may help in the helping process; on the other hand, the rejection of Reggie and his intention to become independent can be both helping and harming the helping process. To be specific, if the intention of the human service professional is to enhance compatibility between Todd and Reggie, Todd’s concern to bring back Reggie shall be helpful. However, if the objective of the helping process is to assist both the individuals to cope with their personal stereotypes and lead their lives in a normal manner, the prejudices perceived by both Todd and Reggie might prove to be obstructing which can be observed in terms of their complaints from each other and their families. Contextually, such traits may restrict the development of understanding and stress handling among them which can impose significant impacts on their job prospects. Thus, it can be stated that these factors can be helpful or harmful for a helping process subjected to the gap between the objectives of the human service professionals and the behavioral traits of the individuals in terms of personal beliefs, prejudices, values and stereotypes (Brill, 2005; National Organization for Human Services, n.d.). Potential ethical and legal issues surrounding the case There are various potential ethical as well as legal issues which can be identified as related with the case of Reggie and Todd. One of the most apparent legal issues that can be identified by the human service professional in this context is the physical violence caused by Todd on Reggie. During the interview process, Reggie revealed that being scared and frustrated due to the continuous arguments for six weeks, Todd had threatened of physical harm to him with a knife owing to which, he had to accommodate in a boarding house. On the other hand, Todd explained that Reggie had been physically abusing him. Additionally, during the interview as well, it was observed that Todd possessed a dominating attitude towards Reggie by interrupting him when speaking to the human service professionals. Contextually, a major ethical issue that can be identified with reference to the case scenario is the obtainment of job opportunities by both Todd and Reggie. Although they have been recorded to be registered under specific governmental and developmental schemes to assist people after their prison sentence to find job like any other normal person, neither Todd nor Reggie have been able to find a particular employment within 3 months and 2 months of their release respectively. This has further raised stress among them making the situation increasingly vulnerable. Another ethical issue can be identified referring to the mental and physical position of Todd where he has been recorded to use regular drugs to deal with the stresses he has been witnessing since his release from the prison. Notably, he has been addicted to cocaine since long and it was the prime reason behind his imprisonment. Being aware of the consequences of such drug abuse, in terms of legal provisions and health requirements, Todd has been visiting a consultant who had prescribed the combination of Lithium and Trazodone which might also have negative implications on his health (Reich, 1965). Obligations as a professional Undoubtedly, Reggie and Todd require extensive guidance and counseling assistance from human service professionals. Recognizing the ethical and legal issues surrounding the case of Todd and Reggie, it is suggestible that both of them should be made aware of the possible consequences not only at the individual level but also on ethical and legal grounds so that they can understand their responsibility to each other. Human service professionals also need to ensure that both acquire an employment opportunity to satisfy their personal requirements of necessary resources. This would reduce their stress level to a substantial extent making them more calm and understanding towards each other’s personal beliefs and values. Getting engaged with an employment shall also keep them busy and refrained from using drugs on a regular basis and assist in their overall development and thus assist the human service professional to mitigate the ethical issues. The human service professional should also ensure that Todd is being availed with appropriate medical assistance to recuperate from drug addiction and lead a better life. The professional also needs to ensure that both reveal their intentions and problems freely without disruptions. Hence, isolated meetings must be organized to counsel Todd and Reggie where both will be heard and supported accordingly. However, the sole intention of the health service professional should be to rejuvenate the self-confidence within Todd and Reggie and thus assisting them to lead their life as any other normal individual. It is worth mentioning in this context that human service professionals must also ensure their responsibilities towards the clients, i.e. Todd and Reggie when implementing the helping process. For instance, the human service professional must ensure integrity and confidentiality when consulting with the individuals, although in case Todd’s or Reggie’s any behavior is observed to be harmful for either of them or to the community, the professional may need to seek for assistance from the agency supervisors and thus break confidentiality. Contextually, it is quite essential to recognize the limits and the responsibilities of the relationship between the clients and the human service professionals which can be highly beneficial in addressing the ethical and the legal issues in the helping process efficiently (National Organization for Human Services, n.d.). Conclusion and Recommendations The adverse effects of personal, ethical as well as legal issues impose detrimental impact upon the professional life of individuals or people. In accordance with the case, it was observed that both the individuals i.e. Todd and Reggie were imprisoned and lost support from their families due to their engagement in drug addiction and consumption of alcohol. Consequently, both the individuals have been deprived from employment and were seeking for jobs in order to be self-dependent. In this situation, the role of the human service professionals would be to provide proper guidance to both Todd and Reggie in order to come out from their respective stressful condition and make them to lead a proper life that would eventually assist them to develop themselves as better individuals. Moreover, the professionals relating to human service require mitigating the identified ethical as well as legal issues in the case so that can lead a healthy as well as sociably responsible life in future and cannot hamper societal functioning by conducting any sort of illegal activity. References Brill, N. (2005). Understanding Ourselves. In Working with people: the helping process, 8/e (pp. 21-41). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Reich, C. A. (1965). Individual rights and social welfare: the emerging legal issues. The Yale Law Journal, 74(7), 1245-1257. National Organization for Human Services, (n.d.). Ethical standards for human service professionals. Retrieved from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43:ethics&catid=19:site-content&Itemid=90 Bibliography Lin, N., & Ensel, W. M. (1989). Life stress and health: stressors and resources. American Sociological Review, 54(3), 382-399. Read More