Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Science

This essay discusses the ethical and moral dilemmas in the health and social care industry, specifically focusing on the topic of abortion. It explores the various issues, rights, and obligations related to abortion and provides insights into ethical approaches to reduce conflicts. The essay also delves into the ethical and professional principles that influence decision-making in the field, offering valuable insights for future professional practices.

Contemporary Issues
in Health and Social
Science

Table of Content
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Ethical dilemma is also known as ethical paradox which is defined as a problem
developed for an individual in the decision making process. In more simple words ethical
dilemma in health and social care involves call a person to choose from among two or more
morally acceptable options available or to make decisions by choosing between equality
unacceptable actions when one choice prevent selection of the other. On the other hand moral
dilemma refers to a situation in which the individual who is responsible to make decisions on a
respective decision must consider two or more valuable moral duties but can only owner one of
them violating the other. In regards to the present essay of identified critical evaluation of ethical
and moral dilemma health and social care environment the chosen topic is abortion (Hoggart,
2019).
This is ethical and moral dilemma as ethical question in abortion races a debate over the
moral status of the in embryo and foetus. On the other hand the moral dilemma occurs for the
parents of the child of whether or not to terminate the pregnancy. Abortion is a very painful and
critical aspects and ethical as well as moral dilemma most often occurs in regards to it. The
present essay will be covering several aspects related to the ethical and moral dilemma of
abortion where certain issues such as rights of people their obligations will be defined. Along
with the next segment of the essay will be focusing upon ethical approaches which should be
practice in order to potentially reduce the conflict. Moreover, the essay sofa covers the
discussion about the ethical and professional principles which can influence the decision making
of individuals last thing a more reflective approach will be used to develop a critical insight in
regards to influence future professional practices.
MAIN BODY
The chosen topic of the essay is to understand the ethical and moral dilemma through
which professionals as well as individuals goes through while they are making decisions in
regards to abortion. An abortion is a practice which basically means to end a pregnancy by
removing an embryo or foetus. Abortion can occur naturally and when it occurs without any
interventions and medical guidance it is termed as a miscarriage in in general terms and
spontaneous abortion in medical terms (Marecek, Macleod and Hoggart, 2017). This is a very
critical topic regarding to ethical and moral dilemma which is very e common to be seen in in

health and social care setting. In regards to ethical dilemma abortion is a critical decision to be
made and it is a debatable topic as a very big question occurs over the moral status of foetus
(Abortion, 2015). Health care Professionals has different opinions ranging with a view and belief
that a foetus a human being with full moral status and rights. Other hand a conception is that it is
that a foetus not have any rights is a human in biological senses. In concern with moral dilemmas
abortion is a very critical decisions for parents that is for both a female and a male. Abortion is
considered to be a very critical aspect of life of an individuals the male or female. There are
several different issues that are also faced by people such as their rights entitlement and
obligation related to abortion. There are several ethical issues in health and social care industry
that are regards to termination of pregnancy as well as there are certain human right violations
and social injustice also causes under the name of abortion. The very first issue which violates
the human right aspect during abortion raise the questions about is the right to live is important
than any other human being have. Every woman has certain rights about deciding what they want
to do with their body and how they want to live their life. Human right issue arises in case of
terminating a pregnancy as the right to live is way more important and valuable. In the same
another ethical issue arises in regards to the non religious arguments provided about abortion
(Zaręba and et. al., 2017). The argument begins with determining if a foetus is a human being
and if features is sort of a being that it has a right to live or not. In a very simple contest the
ethical and human rights issue that raises in concern with terminating a pregnancy is due to the
status of a foetus and the interrelationship of the women and the foetus. The questions are raised
about if the foetus is a person and in the sense of having ethical standing and rights in the
society. A very common and critical issue that is chased by the health and social care sector in
regards to abortion is social injustice. It is always argued that according to certain communities
abortion is a social injustice which is defined as killing a life before even before it is has been
born. On the other hand certain societies considers that women has all the rights to decide what
they have to do with their bodies and take the decision about continuing a pregnancy or
terminating it. Not having these rights by a woman is considered as a social injustice in certain
societies and amongst service people.
Dilemma is a conflicting situation where all the available alternatives are right but wrong
at the same level of testing one or the other variable of the situation. Professional racing a
situation of dilemma needs to be very critical and analytical while making decisions as they will

be choosing an alternative which can create problems on the other aspect. Various ethical
approaches and practices that are useful and are commonly adopted by professionals for or
dealing with potential conflicting situations and ethical dilemma. In the same manner health and
social care is also a critical area and industry where several ethical dilemmas are being
encountered by professionals in their career and every time off work. A very common ethical
dilemma is carried out and encountered in health and social care sector is of abortion where
individuals are unclear about their decisions of keeping the baby orbiting it as well as the
professionals are also concerned about their decision of agreeing with the patient. Many time it
happens that the foetus have grown enough that it cannot aborted as it will be a crime and also
creating huge risk for the life of the mother (Begun and et. al., 2017). This is an ethical dilemma
through which professional goes through in the health and social care industry while making
decisions as a professional. In order to deal with the dilemma and to face the situation practically
there are certain alternative that are available with the professionals and that should be
considered by them. The first practice is to establish the fact surrounding the ethical dilemma,
the practitioner who are involved in the abortion process needs to establish and clear out the facts
by investigating all the cases and solutions available to them and backing those by appropriate
factual information. In simple words the professional needs to look over the factual information
by understanding the physical health of the mother who is willing to abort. The individual have
to identify the physical as well as mental well being along with looking over the growth of foetus
and to see that it is ethically correct to terminate the pregnancy at the moment (Grigorovich and
Kontos, 2018). Another aspect and practice through which the professional needs to go through
while making decisions surrounding the dilemma is to identify their legal obligations and
duties. It is always important for a professional to work according to the legal obligations and
rights they hold as well as the responsibilities they are being in a professional role. The health
and social care professional will be taking and determining all the legal aspects related to
terminating a pregnancy and then make the decisions. The next practice which can be used is to
determine the ethical values of each participant as it will help them in understanding the
importance of what is exactly at stake in different alternative which are being considered. The
professional have to be very careful and to work ethically in order to serve the responsibilities of
a Health care professional and then make their decisions by understanding all the available risky
options and critical scenarios created due to them (Sutton and Borland, 2019).

Every profession and industry is regulated through several ethical principles and values
according to which the professional operating in it work ok with the focus of providing the best
to the people for whom they are working and to whom they are providing certain services. The
health and social care is a very important and crucial sector of the world and the language of
ethics and principles related to health care are called as bioethics. There are several ethical and
professional principles that are needed to be considered by the health and social care professional
while making the decisions and these ethical principles involves understanding and knowledge of
different ethical theories, having enough skills of working ethically by making appropriate
arguments and practicing professionalism. There are several ethical theories determined in health
and social care such as Utilitarianism ethics, deontological ethics, and consequentialism
(Bringedal and et. al., 2018). The first ethic that is Utilitarianism is based on the outcomes that
are the professionals are required to work and perform their duties in order to produce the
greatest good for the greatest number. Philosophy is emphasized upon societal outcomes. The
deontological ethics refers to the expected that some of the acts and actions taken by normally
obligated regardless of their consequences for human welfare. In simple words this ethical theory
is duty based and the decisions that are taken by health and social care professionals in relation
to it are totally based on the rules and regulations as well as moral of their duties and
responsibilities. Moving along the consequentialism ethics are determined and based upon the
consequences of the actions that are taken by the professionals in regards to there activities
conducted. The people working in health and social care and specifically dealing with abortions
needs to consider these professional principles which are essential for them to work effectively
and make their decisions in regards to the best favour. There are certain ethical principles as well
that are needed to be focused while making decisions by the professionals in health and social
care industry when they are looking at the case of terminating a pregnancy. These principles are
justice, autonomy, non-maleficence and beneficence. At first autonomy is an American value
and refers to making decisions for oneself. The principle of beneficence refers to working in a
way which is the best interest of the patient and of being kind to them. Third principle of non-
maleficence is working which the motive of providing no harm to the patients and lastly the
principle of justice speaks about working fairly while treating the patient. These are the certain
ethical and professional principles which are needed to be followed by the practitioner's working
in health and social care. The professional dealing with the patient who is willing to abort and

terminate the pregnancy needs to be treated with care and fairness where the professionals are
working in the best interest of the patient and making the women feel safe. Moreover, these
ethical and professional principles of health and social care department will also support the
patient in meeting appropriate decisions and come out of the dilemma by choosing the correct
alternative for themselves and for their lives (Mittelstadt, 2019).
Being part of Health and social care sector myself I do hold certain values and moral
compasses which are automatically influencing over my professional practices and future career
development opportunities. There are several aspects as a professional which I need to consider
while working in order to fulfil the responsibilities and opportunities of booking a professional
and serving others. This is a certain practices are fairness, reciprocity, confidentiality,
competency, integrity, fidelity, privacy, veracity and gratitude. These are certain aspects and
components which are needed to be focused. In order to be a fair and being fairness in my
professional activities it is important that I disclose all conflicts of interest as well as it requires
to me to be impossible and honest and to be open about any material conflict of interest. It is a
professional practice which demonstrate exemplary professional conduct. The notion of
reciprocity initiates the nature of making mutually beneficial decision by exchanging arguments
with other people in a professional environment which requires for me to be focused about their
personal agenda us as well as comfort. Confidentiality and competency factor refers to the
qualities and skills of myself I need to make sure that all the confidential information of the
patients with whom I am working and to whom I am serving is intact with me without breaching
the law of confidentiality and privacy. The integrity factor required for me to be truthful and
honest as a professional with my profession as well as with the people surrounding me and
working with me in a common platform and a professional area. The other factor like gratitude is
a very important and essential part of my professional life as I serve people and help them by
taking care of them and looking over their health in order to make deadlines a little bit easier and
healthy. I need to have gratitude there I will be soft and holding to be empathetic with the
patients and to understand their pain and suffering through which they are going in a difficult
time. The four principles of ethical practices that are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence
and Justice are very important for me as a professional in order to work in the best and the most
valuable and beneficial manner for the patients to whom my services are important and necessary
in order to lead their lives.

CONCLUSION
The essay above conducts discussion revolving around several different factors and
important aspects of a safe and healthy health and social gas environment. It is concluded that
there are various dilemmas part of Health and social care industry where all the possible
alternatives and have to focus upon one of the most beneficial and valuable solution in order to is
up the situation and help the patient. The essay conducted discussion about the ethical and
professional practices that are needed to be focused by the expert in the sector as well as there
are certain issues which conducts and takes place in the of dilemma which creates a lot of chaos
and needs to be reduced to a minimum level.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Begun, S. and et. al., 2017. Exploring US social work students’ sexual attitudes and abortion
viewpoints. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(6), pp.752-763.
Bringedal, B. and et. al., 2018. Between professional values, social regulations and patient
preferences: medical doctors’ perceptions of ethical dilemmas. Journal of medical
ethics, 44(4), pp.239-243.
Ejder Apay, S. and et. al., 2020. Midwifery students’ reactions to ethical dilemmas encountered
in outpatient clinics. Nursing ethics, 27(7), pp.1542-1555.
Grigorovich, A. and Kontos, P., 2018. Advancing an ethic of embodied relational sexuality to
guide decision-making in dementia care. The Gerontologist, 58(2), pp.219-225.
Hoggart, L., 2019. Moral dilemmas and abortion decision-making: Lessons learnt from abortion
research in England and Wales. Global public health, 14(1), pp.1-8.
Marecek, J., Macleod, C. and Hoggart, L., 2017. Abortion in legal, social, and healthcare
contexts.
Mittelstadt, B., 2019. Principles alone cannot guarantee ethical AI. Nature Machine
Intelligence, 1(11), pp.501-507.
Sutton, B. and Borland, E., 2019. Abortion and Human Rights for Women in
Argentina. Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, 40(2), pp.27-61.
Zaręba, K. and et. al., 2017. Moral dilemmas of women undergoing pregnancy termination for
medical reasons in Poland. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive
Health Care, 22(4), pp.305-309.
Online:
Abortion, 2015. [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.thehastingscenter.org/briefingbook/abortion//>
Introduction to the abortion debate, 2014. [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/abortion/legal/introduction_1.shtml/>
The Principles of Healthcare Ethics, 2021. [online] Available Through:
<https://www.atrainceu.com/content/3-principles-healthcare-ethics#:~:text=The
%20language%20of%20ethics%20related,%2C%20and%20(4)%20justice./>