Codes of Ethics play a vital role in almost any profession. They serve as guidelines by which people can conduct their duties accordingly. Ethical behavior is essential, especially when making important decisions that concern other people. This is particularly important for professionals in the medical field, such as health educators, whose line of duty involves imparting knowledge about the lives of others. However, various professions have their own distinct codes of ethics to guide individuals in identifying what is right and wrong while performing their duties.
Follow our guide with useful tips to help you write a great essay in just a few hours: How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay?
The profession that I have is in the field of defense. I am an Army Unit Supply Specialist currently working in Iraq. The nature of my work, as well as the conditions we face, are often characterized by challenges and require numerous important decisions to be made every day. As a result, we need guidance to serve as our basis for actions and decisions.
To fully understand the idea of ethics, a comparison and contrast of the codes of ethics for health educators and the military will be discussed in the succeeding paragraphs.
Health Educators
The code of ethics for the health education profession is committed to excellence in promoting individual, family, organizational, and community health (Greenberg, 2001). Health educators have the responsibility of upholding ethical standards in their challenging daily decisions. To do so, they must recognize society’s diversity by accepting a cross-cultural approach to their duties. Additionally, health educators should maintain the worth, dignity, potential and uniqueness of all people (Greenberg, 2001).
The Health Education Profession Code of Ethics provides a framework of shared values that guide the practice of health education. It is based on fundamental ethical principles that encompass all healthcare services, including respect for autonomy, promotion of social justice, and active promotion of good as well as avoidance of harm. Each health educator has the utmost responsibility to aim for and uphold the highest standard of conduct and inspire others they work with to do the same (Greenberg, 2001).
Military
The military code of ethics emphasizes professionalism, with the understanding that their expertise should be used for the betterment of society. The protection of society is their primary value, and they uphold principles such as justice, benevolence, human dignity, and autonomy. Military officers recognize that their duty is to serve others while performing their duties (Walkin, 1987).
Compare and Contrast
Health educators and military officers share similarities in their code of ethics. Both professions prioritize serving others through their respective fields. Health educators aim to provide the community with necessary knowledge about health issues and concerns. Military officers, on the other hand, work to protect and defend their country, especially its people. It is their duty to take all necessary steps to prevent and fight anyone who threatens the security of the country and its people.
The variations in the codes of ethics between health educators and military officers are due to the differences in the nature of their professions. Health educators’ ethical principles are grounded in the idea of saving lives, and they must observe ethical behaviors to make sound decisions that protect others’ lives. Military officers also prioritize protecting others, especially those they serve, but may resort to means that harm enemies. They may hurt others to uphold their country’s ideals and principles.
References
- Greenberg, J.S. (2001). The Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession: A Case Study Book. Maryland: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
- Walkin, M.M. (1987). Military Ethics: Reflections on Principles-The Profession of Arms, Military Leadership, Ethical Practices, War and Morality, Educating the Citizen-Soldier. Pennsylvania: DIANE Publishing.
