Surname 1

Student’s Name

Professor’s Name

Course

Date

Reflecting on Ethical Principles

Beneficence refers to an ethical principle that requires individuals to do good for the

benefit of others. Anything done out of mercy, kindness or charity can be defined as a beneficent

act (Parsons and Dickison 72). All professionals have the moral obligation to do right and favor

the interest and welfare of their clients. For instance, teachers have a duty to ensure students

learn and maintain discipline at school. They perform these tasks because it is their

responsibility. However, by doing so, they must ensure the students and even their parents are

treated well. The norm of beneficence requires professionals to do more than what is expected of

them. For example, teachers should go beyond their professional duties and mold students into

all round individuals who can fit in a competitive world. It is such random acts of kindness that

amount to beneficence. In summary, beneficence compels everyone to act with love, generosity

and a legitimate concern for other people’s welfare.

In the context of early learning childcare, beneficence is a fundamental ethical principle.

The concept compels childcare providers to maintain high standards of professionalism and

strive to do good and prevent harm. Dealing with little children can sometimes be hectic. As a

result, childcare providers are expected to be on the lookout at all times. However, they can be

distracted, thus failing to pay attention to the desires and needs of the children. For instance, if a

caregiver focuses their mobile phone and in that moment a child gets injured, it is logical to

assume that the accident would not have happened if the caregiver was not distracted. Such a
 Surname 2

case amounts to gross violation of the concept of beneficence. The diverted attention could easily

prevent the accident. Beneficence bestows the caregiver the obligation to lessen or prevent the

risk of injury to the cared-for. Therefore, the concept is essential in childcare to reduce distress.

On the other hand, nonmaleficence refers to a norm that requires professionals not to do

harm to others (Parsons and Dickison 72). There are many forms of harm that an individual can

inflict on others including causing pain, killing and incapacitating. These injuries have

devastating impacts on the victim. Therefore, it is important not to do them. People, especially

professionals should always consider a course of action that would yield optimum results for

their clients. For instance, physicians deal with patients who rely on them to deliver the best

healthcare. So, physicians should meet this obligation by choosing interventions that have greater

benefits and less risks to the patient. A professional violates the concept of nonmaleficence once

their actions result in harmful effects.

The principle of nonmaleficence also applies in childcare. When parents leave their

children in the hands of childcare givers, they do so to protect them from abuse and allow them

to learn in a safe environment. Therefore, nonmaleficence principle reminds care giver of their

duty not to cause injury to the same people they are supposed to look after. Children are

vulnerable and it easy to harm them. So, it is important to have a concept that protects children

from the same people they are under. The principle of nonmaleficence also ensures that care

givers handle children in the most human way possible.

 Surname 3

Works Cited

Parsons, Richard D and Karen L Dickison. Ethical Practice in the Human Services: From

Knowing to Being. SAGE Publications, Inc., 2016.