While applying a social theory may help us understand how a social issue happens, ethics tells us how we should respond to the social issue, as individuals and as a society. Sometimes our individual value systems conflict with societal expectations. What do we do then?

Using the social issue related to the major news event that was the focus of your Module One journal, you will discuss how to ethically address the issue.

Discussing challenges that face our world often means investigating opinions and ideas different from your own. Remember to remain thoughtful and respectful towards your peers and instructor in your initial and response discussion posts.

Create one initial post and follow up with at least two response posts.

For your initial post, address the following:

• Identify the social issue that was the focus of your Module One journal, and describe the reasons reported by the news outlet for why the event happened.
• What decisions could have been made, based on value systems, to reduce the impact to the individuals involved, either at the time the event occurred or in the aftermath?
• What are some advantages and/or disadvantages of using an ethical framework to help make decisions related to the event?

FIRST PEER RESPONSE

The social issue I focused on in my Module One journal was the rising autism diagnosis rate in the United States and the controversial new research initiative led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., launched by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). According to reports from ABC, CNN, and CBS, the initiative stems from Kennedy's belief that environmental exposures, with an implied focus on vaccines, may be contributing to autism. This claim has been widely discredited by scientific experts, who warn that it promotes misinformation and distracts from evidence-based research into genetic and environmental causes.

Ethically, this situation raises serious concerns about how we balance individual beliefs and societal responsibilities. As a mother of a child with level 3 autism, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy caused by birth complications, I understand how desperate parents can be for answers. But promoting unproven theories, especially ones that fuel vaccine hesitancy, can do significant harm. Decisions based on ethical value systems such as transparency, scientific integrity, and protecting public health, could have reduced the damage. For example, HHS could have appointed neutral experts with no history of spreading disinformation, ensuring the research effort was driven by data rather than ideology.

Using an ethical framework, such as utilitarianism, which focuses on promoting the greatest good for the greatest number, helps us evaluate the broader impact of these decisions. A transparent, unbiased research process supports public trust and protects vulnerable populations from harmful consequences like declining vaccination rates. However, a disadvantage is that some individuals may feel their personal beliefs are dismissed, which can deepen distrust in public institutions.

In situations where personal values clash with societal expectations, (as they do in this case) ethics offers a roadmap for balancing empathy with responsibility. We must prioritize facts, evidence-based action, and the well-being of all children and families affected by autism.

SECOND PEER RESPONSE

Illegal immigration across the Mexican border is my social issue. One news outlet says people cross the border illegally to try and seek asylum (David Yaffe-Bellany, 2018). When looking at the people crossing the border as only asylum seekers, then you can try to find more ways to help them when they cross instead of trying to scrutinize them. This can help the people from feeling more out of place or scared than they already are. This can lead to dangerous situations though both for the American people and those crossing the border this way. The truth is, you never know what someone's intentions are when they are trying to cross the border. They may mean no harm, or they could be a danger to people. This can lead to the harm of both those crossing and Americans. Using ethics makes this a difficult situations due to the random nature of the crossings when it comes to who is trying to enter the country but also hard to process the people trying to enter the country this way to get them the proper help they need.

David Yaffe-Bellany, J. R. and J. L. G. H. (2018, August 16). Asylum-seekers say they cross the border illegally because they don't think they have other options. The Texas Tribune.

For this discussion, | would like to focus on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, which deals with the sensitive and important topic of teenage mental health, suicide, and bullying. The show follows the story of a high school student, Hannah Baker, who dies by suicide and leaves behind a series of cassette tapes explaining the reasons behind her decision. Each tape details experiences of bullying, sexual assault, betrayal, and neglect, shedding light on the psychological and emotional toll these issues can have on young people