Boundary Issues
Boundary Issues
BSHS/335
Boundary Issues
There are positives and negatives to every situation. Dual relationships are one of these situations that have either good or bad outcomes. It depends on the people involved and their values and beliefs. The following will show cases of both positive and negative situations, which human service workers engage in dual relationships with their clients.
Example 1: Tammy has cerebral palsy and been in a wheelchair most of her life. She has had only two relationships with men because of her condition and insecurities. The level of severity of her condition prevents her from driving and therefore, she relies on an agency to provide her with transportation to medical appointments. Twice a week for the last three years she has used the same agency to get to these appointments. Kyle, a driver for this company has gotten to know Tammy well in this time as he is mostly the one to pick her up. He knows from talking to her that she has self-esteem issues and begins flirtatious conversations with her and eventually gives her his phone number. He tells Tammy to call him if she needs anything. Tammy believes she can trust him and calls him in an emergency one night when she fell. He comes out to help her and an intimate relationship begins. Tammy thinks of him as her boyfriend and starts calling him daily. Kyle ignores most of her calls and gives excuses later when he wants a sexual encounter with her. Kyle has used his position to take advantage of Tammy for his own selfish needs. Example 2: Kara was in an accident that left her quadriplegic. For many years her insurance has had a waiver program to pay for health care aids. Her health care aids Molly and Georgia assist her with things such as getting in and out of bed, showering, dressing, cooking, and cleaning. Even though Kara was close with both of her aids, Molly had become her best friend. When there was a mistake in Kara’s paperwork, insurance would cover her.
BSHS/335
Boundary Issues
There are positives and negatives to every situation. Dual relationships are one of these situations that have either good or bad outcomes. It depends on the people involved and their values and beliefs. The following will show cases of both positive and negative situations, which human service workers engage in dual relationships with their clients.
Example 1: Tammy has cerebral palsy and been in a wheelchair most of her life. She has had only two relationships with men because of her condition and insecurities. The level of severity of her condition prevents her from driving and therefore, she relies on an agency to provide her with transportation to medical appointments. Twice a week for the last three years she has used the same agency to get to these appointments. Kyle, a driver for this company has gotten to know Tammy well in this time as he is mostly the one to pick her up. He knows from talking to her that she has self-esteem issues and begins flirtatious conversations with her and eventually gives her his phone number. He tells Tammy to call him if she needs anything. Tammy believes she can trust him and calls him in an emergency one night when she fell. He comes out to help her and an intimate relationship begins. Tammy thinks of him as her boyfriend and starts calling him daily. Kyle ignores most of her calls and gives excuses later when he wants a sexual encounter with her. Kyle has used his position to take advantage of Tammy for his own selfish needs. Example 2: Kara was in an accident that left her quadriplegic. For many years her insurance has had a waiver program to pay for health care aids. Her health care aids Molly and Georgia assist her with things such as getting in and out of bed, showering, dressing, cooking, and cleaning. Even though Kara was close with both of her aids, Molly had become her best friend. When there was a mistake in Kara’s paperwork, insurance would cover her.