Ethical Dilemmas
As a young male teacher embarking on my journey to become a primary school teacher, a significant dilemma that I will consistently face throughout my professional career is the conflict between legal, ethical and societal expectations of males within the school setting. Due to the perceived double standard of what is accepted from males and females in the teaching profession, I must be aware of the scrutiny that will be placed on my actions as a teacher. A particular area of teaching that will be scrutinized is my interactions with my learners. A potential dilemma that could arise is if a child's safety is at risk I have a legal and ethical obligation to prevent any potential harm to that student, however as a male I could be put into a situation in which i could receive scrutiny regarding my professional, moral or ethical integrity due to societal expectations of what is acceptable for a male compared to a female. Ethical dilemmas due to conflict between legal, ethical and societal expectations are significant for me as how I conduct myself as a young male will be a consideration I will need to make throughout my teaching life and the decisions I make regarding these dilemmas could result in consequences such as harm to a student or finding myself legally liable due to negligence.
Newman and Pollnitz (2002) developed a framework to assist educators through the decision making process when faced with ethical dilemmas known as the Ethical Response Cycle. The Ethical Response Cycle provides a guideline for teachers to analyse each element of an ethical dilemma to support their ethical decision making process (Newman and Pollnitz, 2002). If I encounter the ethical dilemma regarding decisions between a child's safety and the legal and professional consequences involved I will use the Ethical Response Cycle to analyse the legal, ethical and professional aspects of the dilemma which will allow me to make an informed ethical decision. When considering the legal aspects of this dilemma I will consult legal documents such as the duty of care and code of conduct will will detail my legal obligations pertaining to this scenario. I will also consult documents relating to my professional considerations including the code of ethics which will assist me in maintaining high standards of ethical behaviour when faced with ethical dilemmas (Queensland College of Teachers, 2006). By reviewing legal, professional and ethical considerations and engaging with ethical theories by referring to the Ethical Response Cycle, I can ensure that I have made the most ethically based decision possible.