Question
Are dual/multiple relationships unethical?
Answer
I would argue that dual or multiple relationships are not necessarily unethical. I do not believe that all relationships are unethical. I think some are, and I think some are not.
For example, I think there are times when it is appropriate for social workers to share some limited personal information with clients in some circumstances. Does that constitute a boundary issue? Yes. Do I think it is inherently unethical? No.
I think, for example, there are some limited circumstances where it may be appropriate for a social worker to accept a modest gift from a client. There may be relevant cultural issues to refusing that gift, and refusal of the gift could have dire clinical consequences. I think it may be permissible in some limited circumstances for a social group to accept a gift, I have done that. I also think there are other circumstances where I would not accept a gift. I think it is too loaded. The boundary issues are too complicated, and so it depends on the circumstances.
So, to reiterate, I think some dual or multiple relationships are unethical and some are not. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between boundary crossings and boundary violations.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in Social Work, presented by Frederic G. Reamer, PhD.
