- 21/02/2013
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
Week Eight Writing Activity
On analyzing the case of the family of Hector and Rosa, it is possible to identify several ethical issues, which though are closely intertwined with legal issues. In this respect, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that the legal status of Hector is unclear that increases the risk of the development of legal problems of the family and Hector in particular. At the same time, it is obvious that the family has serious problems which may be viewed as both external, such as the lack of medical assistance, financial problems, and internal, such as domestic violence. Therefore, it is obvious that the family of Hector and Rosa has a number of problems, which raise ethical issues and the problems of the family has started to aggravate after the birth of the child because the birth of the child has increased pressure on the family budget and forces parents to work harder to afford living.
In actuality, one of the major problems the family is currently facing is the problem of unemployment that raises the ethical problem of marginalization of the family, especially Hector. Hector used to be and still is a bread-winner for the family. Therefore, it is extremely important for him as well as for the entire family to be employed and earn money on the regular basis. However, as Hector lost his jobs because of job cuts at the meat plant, where he used to work at, he faces the problem of the lack of financial resources to maintain his family, i.e. Rosa and their sun Juan. The loss of job is a threat to the survival of Hector and his family because Rosa does not have a full-time job because she cannot afford working and taking care for 12-months son. As a result, the entire family is dependent on the income of Hector, which the family is deprived of after his loss of job. In such a situation, the future of the family is under a threat because to tackle financial problems Hector is likely to start moving to other cities to find a job or to start illegal activities to earn for living and to maintain his family.
In addition, the family does need the medical care. In actuality, it is not only Hector who needs medical aid but also Rosa and their son who do need medical aid. In this respect, the problem of the provision of low-income families with essential medical aid arises. At first glance, it is sheer financial problem but this problem arises an important ethical issue. In fact, it is obvious that only a part of Americans can afford health care insurance and, thus, receives health care services of the high quality, whereas a large part of Americans like Hector and his family cannot afford even basic medical services. In such a context, the ethical concern of social justice arises because it is unjust one some society members are deprived of basic medical aid, which is essential for their survival and normal life, whereas another part of the society gets the full advantage of the modern medicine simply because of the difference in their social standing and level of income. Obviously, it is unjust to deprive Hector and his family of the essential medical aid. This is particularly unjust in relation to his son, Juan who is just 12-months old but, who evidently has a poor nutrition and his development is retarded. This means that the child is deprived of an opportunity for a normal development because of financial problems of his parents and unavailability of health care services he needs.
At the same time, financial problems provoke the accumulation of domestic problems within the family. In this respect, it is worth mentioning the problem of domestic violence, which apparently exists in the family of Hector and Rosa, judging from a bruise on Rosa’s facial check. In all probability, Hector use violence to keep Rosa under his total control. Probably, it is an attempt to prevent Rosa from parting but it is more likely that Hector is simply extrapolating his anger on Rosa. The situation is deteriorated by the consumption of alcohol by Hector. In fact, Hector becomes a violent and alcoholic person that is very dangerous in relation to his wife and son.
Obviously, the family needs support from the part of social and health care workers, especially Juan, who is just starting his life and needs proper nutrition and normal family environment. At the same time, the problem of poor nutrition of Juan cannot be tackled until the financial position of Hector and Rosa becomes better. In addition, it is important to take into consideration ethical factors, when poor families are just left-aside and do not receive basic medical aid just because they cannot afford paying for health care services.
Thus, social workers should focus on the problem of domestic violence in Hector and Rosa family, help them to avoid conflicts, and help them to find solutions to their financial problems.
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