Respond to two of your colleagues’ postings by explaining how cultural diversity, moral judgement, or ethical perceptions may impact decision making within the context of the social problem that they described.
Respond to two of your colleagues’ postings by explaining how cultural diversity, moral judgement, or ethical perceptions may impact decision making within the context of the social problem that they described. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your points.
SHELLON
A brief description of the social problem that you chose for your Final Project.
The social problem I choose for my final project is the transformation of Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) in low-income communities. The scarcity of TVET in low-income communities, particularly in Guyana, South America, has been brought to my attention during a conversation with a loved one. Author Dos Santos (2019) discovered that TVET’s effectiveness (in Guyana) is limited by a lack of labor market information, funding, energy costs, and insufficient information communication technology skills and infrastructure.
One ethical and moral dilemma that could arise when solving the problem as well as the power differentials that may be present.
One ethical dilemma that could arise when solving the problem of choice would be standard 11 from the Ethical Standards of Human Services Professionals. I must be aware of multiculturalism in that specific society and its impact on the community and individuals (National Organization for Human Services, 2015). As for the power differentials that may be present would-be Cultural Power. This type of power reference, as the 3rd phase of power, operates in the areas of worldview and culture (Grassroots Policy Project, n.d.). The cultural norms and conditioning regarding race, age, and gender for those with less power would likely be present while addressing the social problem (National Community Development Institute, n.d.).
One moral dilemma that could arise when solving the problem would be diminished empathy derived from personal moral judgments (Greene, 2002). I have encountered such moral dilemmas and tried to find ways to respond objectively without offense. As Dr. Hamilton mentioned, what may be right for me in the USA, may not be the same in another country such as Guyana.
How you would prevent the ethical and moral dilemmas and address the power differentials in your role as an advanced human services professional practitioner.
To prevent the ethical and moral dilemmas mentioned, I must first identify my biases and address them by being willing to examine my own beliefs and assumptions. Second, begin to think critically about the ethical and moral dilemmas by, not limited to (1) being interested in seeking the truth; (2) relying on reason and not my emotions; (3) being objective and not subjective; (4) put aside incorrect information and (5) work with integrity. As a human service professional practitioner, the power differentials in my role plays an essential part in solving social problem. Cultivating a shared culture of responsibility and commitment is vital, along with increasing my reading as a scholar and growing knowledge of my role. The Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals (2015) preamble sums it up, stating that human service “… professionals promote and encourage the unique values and characteristics of human services”. And does this by “… upholding the integrity and ethics of the profession, promoting client and community well-being, and enhancing their professional growth.”
ReferenceS
Dos Santos, C. (2019). Building capabilities in natural resource-dependent economies: An innovation systems analysis of the TVET program in Guyana. International Journal of Innovation Studies, 3(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijis.2019.06.002 Links to an external site.
Grassroots Policy Project. (n.d.). Power and social change
Greene, J., & Haidt, J. (2002). How (and where) does moral judgment work? Trends in Cognitive
Sciences, 6(12), 517-523. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-6613(02)02011-9 Links to an external site.
National Community Development Institute. (n.d.). Sources of Power.
National Organization for Human Services. (2015). Ethical standards for human services
professionals. https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
SOPHIA
Social Problem
The social problem I chose for the final project is teen opioid abuse. Opioid abuse in teens is dangerous and growing. The side effects that come with drug abuse can be severe and may lead to death. After marijuana and alcohol, the abuse of prescription drugs is next on the list of the most abused substances by Americans aged 14 and older. (Trends & Statistics, 2022)
Ethical Dilemma
Many ethical dilemmas may arise when trying to solve the problems of teen opioid abuse. The first ethical dilemma is standard 2, which deals with informed consent (Ethical Standards for Human Professionals, 2015). Because the teen is a minor or under 18, a parent or guardian must consent to the child's treatment. The dilemma in this situation could be that the parent/parents or guardian does not want the child to receive treatment, and they won’t consent. In this case, legal actions may have to be taken on the minor’s behalf if the minor’s condition is life-threatening. Another ethical dilemma that may arise when trying to solve the problem of teen opioid abuse is standards 3 and 4. The teen’s right to privacy and confidentiality and breaking the confidentiality of the relationship between the teen and human service professional are at stake if the teen is in danger or may harm themselves (Ethical Standards for Human Professionals, 2015).
Moral Dilemma
One moral dilemma that may arise when trying to solve this problem is a teen abusing opioids confides in a professional that they are thinking about ending their life because their issue has caused too many problems. The teen wants the professional to keep this information to themselves. The dilemma here would be the professional keeping confidentiality and having a potential suicide on their hands or breaking the teen’s confidentiality and preventing suicide.
Prevent Ethical and Moral Dilemmas
I would prevent the ethical and moral dilemma by practicing standard 10, providing services or help without discrimination or preference, which is a professional’s responsibility to the public and society (Ethical Standards for Human Professionals, 2015). Practicing standards 17 and 27 will also prevent moral dilemmas by accurately representing myself, my qualifications, skills, and experience (Ethical Standards for Human Professionals, 2015); this way, I don’t get into situations I cannot handle. I would address the power differentials in my role as an advanced human services professional practitioner by being transparent and trying to connect with whomever I’m trying to help; this will allow them to learn a few things about me as an individual, hopefully building their trust.
References
Ethical Standards for Human Professionals. (2015). Retrieved from nationalhumanservices.org: https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/ethical-standards-for-hs-professionals
Teen Substance Use & Risks. (2020, Februrary 10). Retrieved from www.cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/features/teen-substance-use.html#:~:text=Risks%20of%20Substance%20Use&text=Affect%20the%20growth%20and%20development,blood%20pressure%2C%20and%20sleep%20disorders.
Trends & Statistics. (2022). Retrieved from nida.nih.gov: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics
What You Need to Know About Teenage Painkiller Addiction. (2022). Retrieved from newportacademy.com: https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/substance-abuse/teens-painkiller-addiction/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NA_leads_performancemax&utm_term=&kpid=go_cmp-17884784088_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0BaiZ5ZRk