Which ethical dilemma commonly arises in macro social work when resources are limited?

In macro social work, when resources are limited, practitioners often face the ethical dilemma of prioritizing certain community needs over others. This dilemma arises because social workers must make difficult choices about how to allocate finite resources among various needs and populations.

Given that not every need can be met simultaneously, social workers must assess and identify which issues are most pressing or affect the greatest number of individuals. This process can create ethical challenges as it may lead to some groups receiving more support than others, raising concerns about equity and justice in service delivery. The values of social work, including respect for the dignity and worth of individuals and the importance of human relationships, complicate these decisions, as practitioners aim to act in the best interest of all community members despite the constraints they face.

In contrast, the other choices may touch on important aspects of macro social work practice but do not directly capture the dilemma of resource allocation found in many scenarios where needs exceed available services. Personal bias or conflicting interests may influence decision-making, but the crux of the issue when resources are limited is the challenge of determining which community needs take precedence. Addressing how to equitably distribute access to services also stems from the underlying issue of prioritization, reinforcing that the act of prioritizing inherently involves