Social Problem Final Essay

Social Problem Final Essay

 

Social Problem of Euthanasia

Undeniably, euthanasia is one of the ethical dilemmas that confront healthcare professionals in the current healthcare systems because it cuts across the principles of life and death. According to Fontalis et al. (2018), end-of-life practices such as euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) are controversial concepts in many countries due to the lack of consensus decisions and universally accepted thresholds for bioethical principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice. In this sense, assisted dying (euthanasia) entails physician-assisted suicide and voluntary active euthanasia. During PAS, physicians intentionally help patients terminate their lives by prescribing drugs for self-administration. On the other hand, voluntary active euthanasia involves administering lethal medications to patients to end their lives in scenarios of unbearable pain and the absence of recovery prospects. Although PAS and voluntary active euthanasia rely massively upon the premise of granting patients competent requests and reserving their autonomy, the two activities directly result in deaths. As a result, opposers of assisted dying cite inconsistencies of euthanasia in upholding patients’ right to life. While the debate surrounding euthanasia cuts across political, religious, ethical, and socio-cultural domains, it is possible to interpret and solve the subsequent dilemmas by establishing consensus between various sociological perspectives.

Theoretical Perspectives of Euthanasia

The debate surrounding euthanasia derives insights from the prevailing social construct and inconsistencies in social norms, opinions, and practices. According to Pesut et al. (2020), legalizing euthanasia presents a complex array of ethical and moral decisions to nursing practitioners. When debating the moral backing of legalized or outlawing euthanasia, it is essential to incorporate perspectives from various social theories, including conflict theory, structural functionalism, and symbolic interactionist theory. The conflict theory provides a macro-level explanation of the potential sources of conflicting opinions and perspectives. Tyler (2020) argues the idea endorses economic inequalities, political power chasms, and inconsistent social structures as the root causes of conflicts. On the other hand, symbolic interactionist provides a micro-level analysis of society by presenting one-on-one interactions and communication patterns as fundamental aspects that determine behavior and opinions (Tyler, 2020). Finally, the structural-functionalism perspective offers macro and mid-level analysis of the society by focusing on the role of social structures, norms, and systems that operate to define behavior and influence opinions.

Regardless of the inputs of various sociological perspectives, euthanasia as a social problem resonates well with the conflict theory because inequalities and disparities in social norms, political power chasms, and differences in social classes determine one’s perspective of assisted dying. Further, this theory backs the entry of religious interpretations of life and death. According to Herath et al. (2021), the debate regarding the morality and legality of euthanasia centers around the ethical standards of performing such an act, the presumed violation of the Hippocratic oath, religious beliefs, sanctity of life, and the plausibility of alleviating suffering for patients with incurable illnesses. The interplay between these considerations explains why many states in the United States opt to legalize or outlaw physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and voluntary active euthanasia.

How Theoretical Perspectives Influence my understanding of Euthanasia as a Social Problem

Understanding the sources of conflicting opinions regarding the moral backing of euthanasia is an essential strategy for addressing dilemmas surrounding respect to patients’ autonomy to influence care decisions and preserve the sanctity of life. In this sense, the conflict theory provides theoretical premises that resonate with the debate to legalize or criminalize euthanasia by elaborating on the role of political power chasms, gender differences, education, and socio-economic status in modeling behaviors. This theory is essential in enhancing my understanding of euthanasia as a social problem. Initially, I thought that the pro-euthanasia arguments violated the premise of preserving a patient’s life and ensuring safety. However, knowledge of the sources of opinion diversities enabled me to consider the trade-offs of maintaining a patient’s life without the prospect of recovery. It is essential to consider the interplay between legal, ethical, religious, and economic viability of continuing end-of-life care amidst unbearable pain, suffering, and incurable illnesses in such a scenario.

Possible Solutions

The possible solutions for euthanasia as a social problem should resonate with the socially and culturally accepted principles of life and death. According to Barsness et al. (2020), physicians can turn to professional societies for guidance when facing moral and ethical scrutiny issues like euthanasia. In this sense, the ethics, law, and humanity committees endorse the belief that the primary role of healthcare professionals is to prevent and treat diseases regardless of the circumstances (Barsness et al., 2020). One strategy to discourage euthanasia is enhancing palliative care by incorporating spiritual care. According to Gijsberts et al. (2019), incorporating spiritual care in palliative care can promote patient satisfaction, care utilization, and enhanced quality of life. Further, spiritual care capitalizes on the prospect of reconciliation, enhances understanding of the purpose of existence, and bolsters courage to face daunting health concerns. As a result, emphasizing spirituality in palliative care can discourage euthanasia and improve care utilization.

Conclusion

Euthanasia is a topic of ethical, political, and religious scrutiny because it entails intentionally ending a patient’s life in the event of unbearable pain, irreversible, life-threatening injuries, and incurable illnesses. Although euthanasia entails granting a patient’s competent request, it conflicts with ethical and professional standards that guide nursing practices. As a result, it is essential to consider socially and culturally accepted life and death principles before deciding to legalize or criminalize euthanasia since the debate surrounding rests on minor details separating patient’s right to life and autonomy, social perspectives such as the conflict theory anchor the rationale of considering micro, mid, and macro-level aspects that shape perceptions and opinions regarding euthanasia.

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References

Barsness, J. G., Regnier, C. R., Hook, C. C., & Mueller, P. S. (2020). US medical and Surgical Society position statements on physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia: A Review. BMC Medical Ethics, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-020-00556-5

Fontalis, A., Prousali, E., & Kulkarni, K. (2018). Euthanasia and assisted dying: What is the current position and what are the key arguments informing the debate? Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 111(11), 407–413. https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076818803452

Gijsberts, M.-J. H., Liefbroer, A. I., Otten, R., & Olsman, E. (2019). Spiritual care in palliative care: A systematic review of the recent European literature. Medical Sciences, 7(2), 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci7020025

Herath, H. M., Wijayawardhana, K. W., Wickramarachchi, U. I., & Rodrigo, C. (2021). Attitudes on euthanasia among medical students and doctors in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Medical Ethics, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00731-2

Pesut, B., Greig, M., Thorne, S., Storch, J., Burgess, M., Tishelman, C., Chambaere, K., & Janke, R. (2019). Nursing and euthanasia: A narrative review of the nursing ethics literature. Nursing Ethics, 27(1), 152–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019845127

Tyler, S. (2020). Chapter 3; Theoretical Perspectives. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I. https://uark.pressbooks.pub/hbse1/chapter/theoretical-perspectives_ch_3/

Benchmark – Social Problem Final Essay

After analyzing various social problems in this course, in an essay assignment (750-1,000 words), address the following citing three to five scholarly sources from the GCU library:

First, summarize what you’ve learned regarding the impact of social phenomenon (for instance, social inequality, social deviance, etc.) on the social problem you selected from macro and micro perspectives.

Next, in Topic 1, you explained how the theoretical perspective(s) that best aligns with your selected social problem (conflict, functionalist, and interactionist) explains how it came to be and is perpetuated. In this essay, explain how your study of the theoretical perspectives has deepened your understanding of why the social problem you’ve selected continues to exist and how it can be alleviated.  (PAPER 1 WILL BE ATTACHED) **** Social problem that we selected is Euthanasia

Lastly, provide your own possible solutions to your selected social problem that are more effective than current solutions, based on research you’ve collected.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Benchmark – Social Problem Final Essay – Rubric

The Impact of Social Phenomenon (B)

50 points

Criteria Description

Summarize what you have learned regarding the impact of social phenomenon (for instance, social inequality and social deviance) on the social problem you selected from macro and micro perspectives. (C1.3)

5. Excellent

50 points

Paper summarizes the impact of social phenomenon on the selected social problem from the macro and micro perspectives in a comprehensive manner. Explanation is thorough, with relevant evidence to support claims.

 

Theoretical Perspectives

50 points

Criteria Description

Explain how your study of the theoretical perspectives has deepened your understanding of why the social problem you’ve selected continues to exist and how it can be alleviated.

5. Excellent

50 points

Paper explains how the study of the theoretical perspectives has deepened the student’s understanding of why the selected social problem continues to exist and how it can be alleviated, in a comprehensive manner. Explanation is thorough, with relevant evidence to support claims.

 

Possible Solutions

40 points

Criteria Description

Provide your own possible solutions to your selected social problem that are more effective than current solutions, based on research you’ve collected.

5. Excellent

40 points

Paper provides the student’s own possible solutions to the selected social problem in a comprehensive manner. Explanation is thorough, with relevant evidence to support claims.

 

Use of Sources

20 points

Criteria Description

Be sure to cite three to five relevant scholarly sources in support of your content. Use only scholarly sources found in the GCU Library or those provided in Topic Materials.

5. Excellent

20 points

At least three relevant, scholarly sources are cited and are flawlessly integrated into the essay to support the claims made therein.

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Thesis Development and Purpose

12 points

Criteria Description

Thesis Development and Purpose

5. Excellent

12 points

Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

 

Paragraph Development and Transitions

12 points

Criteria Description

Paragraph Development and Transitions

5. Excellent

12 points

There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and transitions. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure is seamless.

 

Mechanics of Writing

10 points

Criteria Description

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)

5. Excellent

10 points

Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

 

Paper Format

2 points

Criteria Description

Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)

5. Excellent

2 points

All format elements are correct.

 

Documentation of Sources

4 points

Criteria Description

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)

5. Excellent

4 points

Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.