In the ever changing economy, and technology moving at a very high speed most world towns and cities are currently filled with street children who have no homes or shelter to keep them save. Most of these children have no means for live, their parents abandon them hence they sort refuge in the streets. Since all people belong to the government, the government should protect them and ensure they get all their basic amenities. However, these children have been neglected, and some senior officers in the government want to throw them out without provision for their needs. Since they have nowhere to go they will just migrate to others towns to seek assistances (Englehardt, 2009).
Moral judgment various from one condition to the other, but there is always a pattern that ethics follows. Most societies when it comes to administering moral justices, they always seek to find the best methods of doing so. But the cultural diversity and age differences, brings a series of changes. As we learn from Kohlberg’s theories, young children take rules as fixed and absolute. They know that rules are commands made by high authorities or by God and cannot be altered. On the other hand, the older children are a bit mature and know that rules can be amended to suit certain situations. There are six stages in regards to ethical and moral development of a child. The first stage is obedience and punishment oriented. Under this stage, the child believes that the authority has inflexible set of rules and must be obeyed without question. That is why in this situation, the children were found on the streets, not because of their choice, but because of their parents’ actions, which to them is final and should not be questioned. So to avoid punishment of their wrong doings they run away to the streets (Englehardt, 2009).
The second stage is individualism and exchange. They act according to their self interests. So whatever happens to them it is because they feel that what they are doing is right. With their sense of self experiences they don’t want anything to do with parents’ interference in their lives. Although they know of punishment, they feel that they are being overprotected. Stage three is a little bit different since at this level, most of them are approaching or they are in their teen’s age. They know that to survive, they should live as per the expectations of their parents, teachers, and other senior individuals who are their role models. So for those living in the streets, they know that they are expected of major changes in their lives hence should struggle hard to be just and right. The government on the other side knows that it is their obligation to support all the children, but due to economic strains, they don’t want to admit it hence feel that throwing the children out of streets will relieve them of this responsibility (Englehardt, 2009).
Stage five and six are closely related since the first talks of individual’s rights while the second tends towards the universal principles. Good society comprises of people who are working together with one goal in mind, to benefit everyone. The universal principles help to keep them in touch and to solve issues amicably while maintaining an individual’s rights and freedom. In this case now, the government should protect everyone regardless of the condition they are in and keep a peaceful society. Children know their rights and always fight for their betterment. The issue of negligence should therefore, be avoided has everyone has a right to basic necessities and life.
Reference
Englehardt, E., Pritchard, M., and Romesburg, K. (2009).The Ethical Challenges of Academic Administration. New York, NY: Springer publishers.
