The Lifespan Development Case Study - Essay Example

 The classic Greek significance of the term “euthanasia” is that of “a gentle and easy death” (Paterson, 2008, p. 11). This underlies the present-day connotation of “mercy killing,” referring to the act of intentionally killing a person to end his pain and suffering. Euthanasia is not assisted suicide, nor does it involve termination of life where the afflicted is not brain dead. Euthanasia involves the actor deciding to kill another to save him from suffering. With these distinctions, I believe that there is no instance when euthanasia is morally sanctioned, because no person should be allowed the right to decide ending another’s life. There is the position that a concrete moral absolute (i.e., that it is always wrong to intentionally kill the innocent) is impossibly rigorist (Paterson, 2008, p.11). I believe that there should be one (if not several) concrete moral absolutes that anchor our values, like our concept of human rights. There is no right more sacred than the right to one’s own life. It should always be wrong to intentionally kill an innocent person. No person can give life, and no person should be justified in taking an innocent life. Parts I and II: Lifespan Development Project Summary The interviewee was born at 38 weeks but premature by birth weight, and suffered from an umbilical hernia. After surgery to repair the condition, he flourished, gained weight, and was talking monosyllables at about six months. He began to walk at about eight months, and without supports close to one year. Interviewee was comparatively more advanced, although he was painfully shy. The home environment was different from others in that his father was assigned to work outside of the country, and he did not know his dad personally until he was two years old, when he resigned to work locally. His mother therefore gave him her undivided attention for the first two years, having resigned her job and working instead from the home through the internet. The subject’s transition from childhood to adolescence was self-described as pleasant. He had a happy family life and developed a close relationship with his parents. There were instances when he was confused about his social role when he would be told that he was already “a young man” and during those times, he felt inadequate and unsure that he did not appear to know how to act as a “young man,” when it appeared every boy his age did. During this time of development, acceptance in his group of friends and approval from his parents were most important to him, although it bothered him at times that to get this approval he had to act in ways he would rather not have preferred to – like smoking with his friends. He is the first child in the family, thus he enjoyed undivided attention until age 4 when he had a sister and, a year after, a brother. He appeared to have resented the fact that he had to share his mother’s time and attention, but later grew into the supportive and authoritative big brother role. He did well in his studies, chose friends who had his same penchant for academics, reading and computer games. The interview experienced no major issues during the time he was growing to adulthood, and he felt comfortable going to his parents for advice. Part III: Lifespan Development Project Presently, the interviewee is 25 years old, single, and a new doctor. While studying, he had been working as a professional physical therapist and treating children and adults in his home care practice. He lives in the city, and returns to his hometown in the country every Christmas break. The interviewee is still young, and yet he appears to have well-established goals in life that have an element of idealism and at the same time of pragmatism. His values during his early adulthood have significantly changed from those in his teen years. He hopes to use his medical knowledge to help the poor, and even now regularly joins medical missions conducted among the senior medical students. Possible self changes during adulthood. This is influenced by personal goals, our ambitions, and what we are afraid of becoming, so as we grow and as our knowledge and experience increases, our possible selves eventually change although they may remain stationary for some time (Kail, 2008). Self-concept is how we view ourselves and the scenario we create about ourselves. This also changes as we mature and our perspective about ourselves and the world changes, and motivates us through our fears and aspirations (Markus & Nurius, 1986). When informed of self concept and possible selves, the interviewee admitted that his concept of himself and his possible selves has changed through the years. They have become more practical and attainable, and because these concepts have become more tangible and concrete, he is able to plan his life with greater detail. He used to want to be a doctor who puts a stethoscope to people’s chests and writes on a prescription pad, but never cuts open people (“That’s gross!”). Now he wants to be a pulmonary-cardiologist who performs open heart surgery. “Possible selves may change in response to efforts directed towards personal growth” (Kail, 2008, p. 387). Conclusion: Analysis and Evaluation of Lifespan Development Issue The issue considered by the interviewee as most important in his development was the parenting style of his mother and father. When he was born, his mother gave up her high profile corporate position and instead worked from the home where she could be in constant touch with her child. His father resigned his lucrative job abroad and found a local job that paid less, but allowed him to come home every evening to his family. The parents’ predictable presence and caring attention for their child developed in him a sense of security that his needs will be provided for. More importantly he was provided the guidance necessary for the formation of his moral values (Hardy, et al., 2008). The predictable and responsive parenting style afforded the interviewee promoted a secure emotional attachment between him and his parents (Kail, 2008, p. 177). In disciplinary practices, the parents were warm and supportive, set firm guidelines but encouraged two-way communication. Reasoning was an important disciplinary tool used by the interviewee’s parents; thus, the interviewee grew up more prosocial and compassionate towards others (Kail, 208, p. 192). These factors – a close emotional attachment, a healthy set of values, a sense that everything happens for a reason, and that his actions can do good and avoid the bad – have developed in him the confidence to use his skills and talents to achieve worthwhile causes. From his own account and by his own reckoning, it is evident that the interviewee owes much of what he is today to the love and attention his parents gave him as a child. Bornstein’s declaration on the importance of parenting is enlightening in this regard: ‘Put succinctly, parents create people. It is the entrusted and abiding task of parents to prepare their offspring for the physical, psychosocial and economic conditions in which they will eventually fare, and it is hoped, flourish…. Parents are the “final common pathway” to children’s development and stature, adjustment and success.’ (Bornstein, 2002 in Moran, Ghate, & Van den Merwe, 2004:18) References Hardy, S.A.; Padilla-Walker, L.M.; & Carlo, G. (2008) “Parenting dimensions and adolescents’ internalisation of moral values.” Journal of Moral Education, 37(2):205-223, (EBSCOhost) Kail, R.V. & Cavanaugh, J.C. (2008) Human Development: A Life-Span View. Wadsworth: Cengage Learning Markus, H. & Nurius, P. (1986) “Possible Selves” American Psychologist, 41(9):954-969, September, 1986 Moran, P; Ghate, D; & Van der Merwe, A. (2004) “What Works in Parenting Support? A Review of the International Evidence.” Research Report RR574, Department for Education and Skills Policy Research Bureau. (July 2004) Accessed 10 January 2011 from http://www.prb.org.uk/wwiparenting/RR574.pdf Paterson, C (2008) Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: A Natural Law Ethics Approach. Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Read More