Ethical Issues of Students

Contents
1. Ethics...................................................................................................................................................3
1.1. What is ethics?................................................................................................................................3
1.2. Where do they come from?.............................................................................................................3
1.3. Why Ethics is important?.................................................................................................................3
1.4. Why is having right ethics important?.............................................................................................4
2. Key elements of a proper ethics.........................................................................................................4
2.1. Values..............................................................................................................................................5
2.2. Morals..............................................................................................................................................5
3. Importance of Moral and Ethics Values in our Lives..........................................................................5
4. Ethical issues faced by students.........................................................................................................6
4.1. College Application..........................................................................................................................6
4.2. Academic Dishonesty.......................................................................................................................7
4.3. Academic Integrity...........................................................................................................................7
4.4. Reporting Other Students................................................................................................................7
4.5. Ethical Dilemmas in Academic Life..................................................................................................8
4.6. Plagiarism........................................................................................................................................8
4.7. Drugs to Aid Studying......................................................................................................................9
4.8. Social Media....................................................................................................................................9
4.9. Interpersonal Relationships.............................................................................................................9
4.10. Job Search..................................................................................................................................10
5. Preventive Measures........................................................................................................................10
5.1. Do No Harm...................................................................................................................................11
5.2. Make Things Better........................................................................................................................12
5.3. Respect Others..............................................................................................................................12
5.4. Be Fair............................................................................................................................................12
5.5. Be Loving.......................................................................................................................................13
1. Ethics

Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

1.1. What is ethics?

My ethics are the rules or standards governing the conduct by which I live my life and make all
my decisions. One of the best ways of thinking about ethics is to take a quick look at what you
believe and then think about how you would react when those beliefs are challenged.
Your ethics govern your thought process so that when a problem arises or you need to try and
work your way through a situation your solution is based on your ethics. So exactly where these
do comes from?

1.2. Where do they come from?

Ethics are not born in a vacuum. Ethics are more like a jigsaw puzzle that is thrown together over
time, that when complete makes up who you are and what you believe. From our earliest days of
life, we start to learn from those around us. These learned behaviors add to the traits that we are
already born with and help to shape us into the person we will become. As part of this learning
process, we develop what will become our norms.
Norms are our everyday way of looking at how the world around us works and helps us to
understand our place in the world. Norms also govern how we react to different situations and
problems that arise around us. These are our ethics; the things we learn as we grow that govern
the rest of our lives.

1.3. Why Ethics is important?

Ethics is a requirement for human life. It is our means of deciding a course of action. Without it,
our actions would be random and aimless. There would be no way to work towards a goal
because there would be no way to pick between a limitless numbers of goals. Even with an
ethical standard, we may be unable to pursue our goals with the possibility of success. To the
degree which a rational ethical standard is taken, we are able to correctly organize our goals and
actions to accomplish our most important values. Any flaw in our ethics will reduce our ability to
be successful in our endeavors.

1.4. Why is having right ethics important?

Ethics are important for a number of reasons.

First, ethics are important because they give us a baseline for understanding the concepts of right
and wrong. Ethics help us to have a ready understanding of how to react to a certain situation
long before that situation happens. There are situational ethics whereby we react as the situation
dictates but our reaction is due to our built-in value system that tells us what to do, not the
situation itself.
The major problem with having situational ethics is that they change with the situation. Having a
standard of ethics that governs us each day of our lives means we always know how we are to
live no matter what. There is no second-guessing and no changing your ethics according to what
you feel your ethics are at the moment.
Second, ethics are important because they act as our mediator when dealing or coming into
contact with other people. If we have the wrong sense of ethics we will react to people in a
negative manner. But if our ethics are built on the truth, as found in the Word of God, we will
see people for who they are as children of God and we will learn to love them just as God loves
them.
Third, ethics are important because we pass them onto others. We have the ability to show others
the correct way to act and behave by remaining ethical in the way we live, regardless of whether
it involves our personal or business life.

2. Key elements of a proper ethics

A proper foundation of ethics requires a standard of value to which all goals and actions can be
compared to. This standard is our own lives, and the happiness which makes them livable. This
is our ultimate standard of value, the goal in which an ethical man must always aim. It is arrived
at by an examination of man's nature, and recognizing his peculiar needs. A system of ethics
must further consist of not only emergency situations, but the day to day choices we make
constantly. It must include our relations to others, and recognize their importance not only to our
physical survival, but to our well-being and happiness. It must recognize that our lives are an end
in themselves, and that sacrifice is not only not necessary, but destructive.

Ethics is a branch of moral philosophy. Among others, it involves defending and recommending
concepts of right and wrong conduct. Ethics are mostly based on two things

2.1. Values
Values are rules from which we make our personal decisions about what is right and what is
wrong, good or bad. Values help direct us to what is more important and past what is less
important. This helps guide us when making decisions.

2.2. Morals
Moral tend to be broad yet are more far reaching because of their strong link to good and bad.
We judge others by their morals rather than their values.

Ethics, in contrast, are a set of rules that tend to be adopted and upheld by a group of people.
This could include medical ethics, journalism and advertising ethics and educational ethics. So
ethics or intent, tends to be viewed as something upheld and adopted internally, such as
professionalism, while morals are ideals we impose on others.

3. Importance of Moral and Ethics Values in our Lives

 “Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”  -- Albert
Einstein

 The moral values in life hold great importance from the point of personal, social and spiritual
development. Values, morals and ethics are inextricably tied together. Values are what we learn
from childhood; the 'stuff' we acquired from our parents and immediate surroundings. Values are
the motive power behind purposeful action. Moral values are meant for making the quest to find
the higher self an easier. Unfortunately, many amongst us may find it difficult to follow values
such as truthfulness, honesty, forgiveness in our lives because we have not perceived the subtle
gains that come to us by following these values.  Or, maybe, we are careless to realize the
importance of values in life.   Ethics, on the other hand, are how we actually do behave in the
face of difficult situations that test our moral fiber.  Ethics are the code or principles on which
one’s character depend.
Ethics and character are closely related. Values are essential to ethics develop at an early age and
can be instrumental to building character.

The quality of our lives is not determined by the happenstance of genetics or by the influence of
environment; it is not measured in material possessions or in the trappings of youth; it is not
dependent on personality or social acclaim. On the contrary, the intrinsic value of the lives we
lead reflects the strength of a single trait: our personal character. 

Whereas, morals are the intrinsic beliefs developed from the value systems of how we 'should'
behave in any given situation. Moral values are the standards of good and evil, which govern an
individual’s behavior and choices.

“The preservation of human life is the ultimate value, a pillar of ethics and the foundation of all
morality”.    – Author Unknown

4. Ethical issues faced by students

Throughout your education, you will grapple with many choices that test personal values, beliefs
and priorities. Ethical decision-making involves using a set of principles to resolve dilemmas
with moral implications. Underlying most ethical theories is a commitment to personal integrity,
justice, fairness and concern for the common good. The major ethical issues faced by students
are:

4.1. College Application

When applying for studies, you will be asked questions about yourself and your reasons for
wanting to pursue a degree. It is expected that students provide thorough and honest answers.
The College Board reports that competition for college admission has led some students to act
unethically in the admissions process. Examples include parents over editing admissions essays
and students exaggerating high school accomplishments and omitting disciplinary infractions
that were supposed to be disclosed on the form.
4.2. Academic Dishonesty
Cheating on tests, plagiarizing papers, illegally downloading materials, sabotaging other
students' work and lying to professors about the reason for missing class are forms of academic
misconduct, reported in 2009 by Yeung and Keup at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Yeung and Keup also found that students are more likely to cheat if they believe peers are
engaging in dishonest behavior and getting away with it.

4.3. Academic Integrity

The pressure to excel in school can be overwhelming, particularly if your grades determine
scholarship money or ongoing support from your parents. Students who struggle with course
material or time management may be tempted to cheat. Some cases of cheating aren't clear-cut.
For example, some students may not be aware that paraphrasing a Wikipedia page or copying
another student's lab notes is cheating. Moreover, for a stressed student, the consequences of
cheating can seem distant and the rewards -- good grades, praise from parents and access to
scholarship money -- can make cheating seem like a good option.

4.4. Reporting Other Students

Many schools operate according to honor codes that encourage students to turn in other students
when they violate academic integrity guidelines or break other important rules. The decision to
turn in a classmate is a challenging ethical decision. While a cheating classmate can throw off a
grade curve or give a professor a misleading impression about how quickly students are
comprehending an assignment, students may struggle with the consequences a reported
classmate will face. For example, if a students' roommate is in an abusive relationship, and
cheats on a test so that she has more time to devise a way out of her relationship, her roommate
might opt not to report her.

4.5. Ethical Dilemmas in Academic Life

Students who take on independent study projects or gain access to internships can face academic
ethical dilemmas. A biology student opposed to animal testing might find herself choosing
between testing a chemical on rats or losing her internship. A philosophy student could find
herself defending a philosophical idea she finds reprehensible, and some students may even
witness ethically questionable behavior from their professors. When such behavior occurs,
students can be torn about whether to turn in the professor and give up an internship or remain
quiet, thus giving tacit support to the professor's bad behavior.

4.6. Plagiarism
Plagiarism in its most basic terms is the act of copying the works of others and passing them off
as your own. This violates the author’s right to the ownership of the work, which is a
fundamental moral right. In academic circles plagiarism is considered to be unethical behavior
and the perpetrators may be subject to sanctions, including expulsion from their institution.

In the publishing industry, plagiarism is not necessarily a crime, but it is serious unethical
behavior when portions of another author’s work are included in a different work with no
indication at all of their origin, and when the plagiarized text is not placed between quotation
marks, or the original source of the text is not cited. For example: it can be hard for kids who
have grown up in an online “copy and paste” culture to see plagiarism as an ethical issue.

Somewhat surprisingly, it’s not only struggling students who plagiarize: indeed, it may be
students who are under pressure to achieve what they want are more likely to engage in the
forms of plagiarism. Researchers have identified three situations where this is most likely: when
students are under pressure (such as when work must be done with a tight deadline, or a work is
particularly important for their grades); when students are not interested in the work; and when
students feel that the assignment is unfair to the point where they have no hope of success
without cheating.

The detection of plagiarism in academic works which have been sent for publication is a critical
activity in the editorial process. Thanks also to the wide use of computers, databases, the
Internet, and appropriate software, it is possible to have tools at one’s disposal to detect
plagiarism.
4.7. Drugs to Aid Studying
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 6 percent of
students use Adderall without a prescription every year. Particularly at competitive schools with
immense workloads, students may struggle to complete their work. When friends turn to
performance-enhancing drugs, students are stuck choosing between breaking the law to get good
grades and accepting mediocre grades and lots of stress.

4.8. Social Media

The proliferation of social networking has prompted many questions about its appropriate use.
As a student, you must choose how to portray yourself to a global audience that includes family
members, teachers, law enforcement officers and prospective employers. Embarrassing photos
from parties can be found in internet searches years later.

4.9. Interpersonal Relationships

Treating others with respect and dignity is a core ethical principle, according to the Markkula
Center for Applied Ethics. In college, you will meet people whose beliefs and backgrounds may
differ from your own. You will have the opportunity to examine your cultural assumptions,
consider opposing perspectives and embrace diversity. Everyday encounters such as getting
along with roommates will help you develop skills in communication and compromise.

4.10. Job Search

Applying for a job in school or upon graduation raises many of the same ethical considerations
as the studies admission process. To gain an edge over other applicants, students sometimes
embellish achievements on resumes and during job interviews, as reported by the National
Career Development Association. Ultimately, you have to decide if you want to get ahead at any
cost or cultivate a reputation as a person with ethics and integrity.
5. Preventive Measures

We can prevent it from happening by teaching students some basic ethics from the very start,
ethics and morals are often associated with religion, but schools can also provide important
lessons in ethical thinking and action.

 “There’s a big fear out there that somehow teaching ethics in school will seep into students a
particular religious viewpoint,” says Dr. Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy. “But ethics must be
taught and are being taught in school. It’s impossible not to teach ethics in a school.”

Weinstein, says if schools have a code of conduct, they are teaching ethics.

According to Weinstein, there are five basic principles of ethics that are common to all faiths:

 Do no harm

 Make things better

 Respect others

 Be fair

 Be loving

These values are defined differently in different parts of the world, but they are cross-cultural
and expected among all groups of people. And Weinstein says they should extend beyond the
walls of the sanctuary and should be taught and expected in homes and classrooms as well.

Dr. Larry Hinman says ethics is to do with what people have in common in terms of humanity.
“The questions we’re facing now are not how we can live well within our group, but how our
group can live well with other groups in the world,” Hinman says. “We need to spend a lot of
time listening to what other people say about their values, rather than just making assumptions.
The more we’re able to see the common ground, the better our chance will be of building a
strong society and a strong world.”
According to Weinstein He points to a 2008 report released by the Josephson Institute of Ethics
that found that of more than 30,000 high school students surveyed, approximately 65 percent
admitted to cheating. Schools must teach ethics, Weinstein says, “otherwise the Bernie Madoffs
of the world will set the standard.”

Hinman, too, is concerned with cheating—particularly students’ difficulty in understanding how

it is harmful. “I’ll have a conversation with students about what, if anything, is wrong with
cheating—who gets hurt,” Hinman says. “And most often, students think, ‘If nobody is getting
hurt, how is it harmful?’” But Hinman explains that when someone cheats, it makes an unequal
playing field. And if everyone were to cheat, we would be back to square one because no one
gets an advantage.

Hinman and Weinstein share the following reminders for behaving ethically and teaching
children and young adults to behave ethically:

5.1. Do No Harm
Try not to hurt people. Weinstein says if hurting others is unavoidable, for example, in breaking
up with someone or firing someone, it’s important to minimize the hurt. Say just enough to make
the point clear; don’t say anything that will hurt the person unnecessarily. Hinman reminds us
also that it’s important to not be hurtful to people who don’t fit the mainstream, whether it’s a
student who is homosexual or a student with disabilities. Hinman explains that the risk factors go
up dramatically for these students, and kindness (not cruelty) is a necessity.

5.2. Make Things Better

Weinstein says it’s important to help people—and to know the difference between helping and
hurting. If you’re a teacher, assign only the amount of homework that is helpful. If there’s a new
kid in school, make him feel welcome. If you see someone in need, lend a helping hand. Say
something kind. Make people feel good about themselves. Be a part of creating a community
where people trust one another. Hinman says if you don’t have trust in a community, people
won’t take risks and won’t share who they really are.
5.3. Respect Others
Weinstein explains that we show respect by telling the truth, keeping our promises, and not
listening to or spreading rumors. If someone tells you a secret, don’t tell anyone else. Hinman
points to the importance of teachers respecting students. Don’t treat a child with disrespect or
disdain. Don’t crush a child’s spirit. Hinman reminds us that one of the primary goals in a school
is to create a community with varying talents that flourish. One of the foundational values for
that, Hinman says, is respect—respecting one another and our differences.

5.4. Be Fair
Fairness has to do with how we punish people, Weinstein says. Don’t punish too harshly because
you are emotional. Make sure your punishment fits the crime. Fairness also has to do with how
we distribute scarce resources. Don’t favor some students. Don’t give more to some and less to
others. Finally, Weinstein says, fairness has to do with a willingness to turn an unjust situation
into a just one. If a teacher is verbally abusive, Weinstein says, the ethical teacher will stick his
neck out and get involved. If a student is being bullied, the ethical student will step in.

5.5. Be Loving
Part of being loving, Weinstein explains, is having compassion for others. Show people you care
about them. Weinstein recalls his 5th grade teacher telling his class that if they did drugs, he
would haunt them for the rest of their lives. “When you look at those words on a page, it looks
like a threat,” Weinstein says. “But this was his way of showing that he cared about us. And
that’s one of the main reasons that I didn’t get involved in drugs.”

Weinstein recently rekindled his relationship with this 5th grade teacher. He flew to see him last
year, and he thanked him personally for the influence he had on his life. “That may be going
above and beyond the call of duty,” Weinstein says, “but even just a simple e-mail can show you
care.”