HP5S: Social Program Evaluation of Big Brother/Big Sister - Essay Example

Potential Ethical issues of Concern to Big Brothers Big Sisters and their Impacts on My Evaluation Process Potential Ethical issues of Concern to Big Brothers Big Sisters and their Impacts on my Evaluation ProcessIntroductionRhodes, Spencer and Liang (2009) define ethics as the norms or values that relate to human conduct, which enables an individual to differential between right and wrong. These values are very crucial in the management of any organization. As a result, very profession is guided by certain codes of ethics that define how it operates.

A case in point is the health profession. These ethical issues are always stressed by the managers of an organization which every individual is expected to comply with. Big Brothers Big Sisters is one such organization that is concerned with ethics in running its programs. This paper will explore the potential ethical issues of concern to Big Brother Big sisters and their potential impacts on my evaluation process.The following are the potential ethical issues of concern to Big Brothers Big Sisters:Promotion of the Safety and Welfare of the Young Person (Beneficence and Nonmaleficence)This is a potential ethical issue of concern to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

It state that mentors should work with the aim of benefiting their protégés and at the very least do no harm (Rhodes, Spencer and Liang 2009). This means that mentors should direct all their efforts towards mentoring the youths to become good citizens in the society. This also applies to evaluators of the programs. Related to the concept of beneficence, is the mentor’s ethical duty to not to do harm. This pertains to more extreme forms of bad behaviors, such as abuse, sexual harassment and exploitation.

Be Trustworthy and Responsible (Responsibility and Fidelity)This ethical issue is founded on the notion of fidelity or behaving in a manner that is trustworthy and keeping promises (Rhodes, Spencer and Liang 2009). This is also a potential ethical issue of concern to Big Brothers and Big Sisters. This ethical issue requires mentors to be aware of their responsibilities for meeting match duration and frequency as stipulated by the program. This serves as a basis of trust in the relationship.Acting with IntegrityThis relates to responsibility and fidelity in mentors’ duty to be creative and forthright about the commitments to the relationship and to keep off setting unattainable expectations.

Rhodes, Spencer and Liang (2009) note that relationship in mentoring, just like any other interpersonal relationship, may be marred with disappointments, conflict, misunderstandings and communication breakdowns which can impact negatively on both patties. This ethical issue is very important and is potentially of concern to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Others which may potentially be of concern to Big Brothers Big Sisters, are those, which pertain to the promotion of justice for youths, and respect to young people’s rights and Dignity (Tierney, Grossman and Resch, 2005).

Impact of the Ethical Issues on EvaluationGenerally, evaluation needs to be done ethically (Rhodes, Spencer and Liang 2009). This will ensure that the evaluation that I carry is not biased in any manner. It will ensure that I carry out the evaluation with a lot of integrity, transparency and in a dignified manner. Nevertheless, the restrictions aggravated by the ethical issues may impact negatively on the evaluation process by limiting evaluation scope. This may affect the entire evaluation process thus leading to wrong conclusions.

In conclusion, the negative impacts of the ethical issues of Big Brother Big Sister may be overcome by ensuring that everybody within the organization, among them the mentors are properly educated on this ethical issues of concern. Once everybody abides by these ethical issues, then any potential problems which may arise, would be contained. This would then help promote the program evaluation.ReferencesRhodes, J., Spencer, R., & Liang, B. (2009). First Do No Harm: Ethical principles for youth mentoring relationships: ethical principles for youth mentoring.

American Psychological Association, Vol. 40, No. 5, 452-458.Tierney, J. P., Grossman, J. B., & Resch, N. (2005). Making a difference: an impact study of big brothers big sisters: public/private ventures. Philadelphia, PA 19103.