IndexSummaryAbortionEthical PrinciplesAutonomyNonmaleficenceBeneficenceJusticeComparisonImpact on NursingConclusionReferencesJuno directed by Jason Ritmen, 2007, is a drama/romantic film that portrays the journey of a teenager as she faces the challenges of teenage pregnancy and daily struggles. The main theme presented in the film is the controversial ethical dilemma of abortion. For many years now, abortion has been a topic that raises many controversies among different types of religious views, beliefs, cultures and people. The purpose of this article is to discuss the ethical principles underlying abortion as it relates to the field of nursing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssaySummaryIt all started with a chair and two teenagers. Juno, who is 16, discovers she is pregnant after sleeping with her best friend Paulie Bleeker. The idea of having an abortion seemed to be the best solution for Juno who was not ready to be a mother at that moment. Juno, however, immediately changes her mind and decides to give the child up for adoption. While reading a newspaper at the adoption clinic, Juno finds a couple who seemed suitable to take care of her son. He then contacts the family and discusses the adoption. Along the way, Juno faces many challenges that jeopardize future adoption. Abortion According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, abortion is legally defined as "the termination of pregnancy after, accompanied by, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus, especially the medical procedure intended to induce the expulsion of a human fetus to terminate a pregnancy.” In the United States, abortion is one of the most common procedures performed on women, by the age of 45 at least three in 10 women have undergone an abortion (Medoff, 2016). in the abortion debate it concerns the moral status of the embryo and the fetus. There are two sides to the debate. On one side there are those who consider abortion to be murder, better known as pro-life supporters 'abortion as a horrible crime. Conversely, on the other side are those who believe that any attempt to restrict abortion is a violation of women's rights to privacy and self-determination, also known as pro-choice. Ethical Principles Autonomy Autonomy is an ethical principle according to which individuals have the right to self-determination. Adults make decisions about their lives without interference from others. This principle states that competent adults can make their own decisions about their own medical care. For example, in this film viewers can witness Juno discovering that she is pregnant and deciding for herself that the best decision was to have an abortion. However, when Juno arrives at the abortion clinic, she changes her mind and decides that adoption would be the best solution instead. NonmaleficenceThe principle of nonmaleficence means the duty not to harm. This is directly tied to a nurse's duty to protect patient safety. Non-maleficence is shown in the film when Juno decides that she does not want to raise a child in a potentially harmful environment that could be raised by a teenage parent. Teens, in general, have other things they should worry about, such as school, friends, and hormonal changes. This act of nonmaleficence ultimately leads to a beneficial outcome in the film that expresses the impact of raising a child in a harm-free environment. BeneficenceBeneficence is the ethical principle of actively doing or promoting good. In nursing, doing good means doing what isbetter for the patient. For example, in the film, Juno decides to give birth to the child but adopt it to a married couple. Juno didn't just decide on the first couple she saw that wanted to adopt a child, she also did her research to make sure that the couple who would raise her child were responsible and would provide a safe and loving environment for a child. She made sure to visit the couple's home and talk to them to see if this was the right decision. In this way Juno seeks the greater good rather than making hasty decisions. Justice Justice is the ethical principle of being just or equal in one's actions. It is the concept that involves showing fairness, equality and fair treatment. Nurses make impartial medical decisions to demonstrate this, whether it is treating an individual regardless of economic status, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The ethical principle of justice is represented in the film when Juno decides to continue the pregnancy and give her child to Vanessa, the adoptive mother, despite Mark, the adoptive father, wanting to divorce Vanessa and failing in his responsibility towards the child . Juno decides to support Vanessa who has always wanted to raise a child even if she would have become a single mother. Juno knew that her son would still be better off with one adult parent than with two inconsiderate teenage parents. Furthermore, Juno kept her word of honor towards Vanessa who was always worried that Juno would change her mind and not give her the baby. Comparison In the film, Juno rejects abortion in favor of adoption because she feels like she isn't ready to do it. be a parent. This paints Juno as a pro-life advocate in the abortion debate. For example, when Juno goes to the abortion clinic, she meets a classmate who tells her that her baby now has nails. This makes Juno reflect on her son's tiny nails which in turn makes her realize that she is carrying a real person inside her. According to the journal Phenomenology of Pregnancy and the Ethics of Abortion, those who support pro-life abortion ethics believe that “the embryo is a person from the beginning, perhaps even from day one.” Juno affirms the value and dignity of human life by avoiding abortion. Impact on Nursing Care As a nurse, you routinely provide care to patients in ethically challenging situations. According to a study published in the article Calculus Formation: Nurses' Decision-Making in Abortion-Related Care, a sample of 25 nurses who worked in abortion clinics, emergency departments, intensive care units, labor and delivery, operating rooms and l anesthesia was interviewed. The study findings suggest that professional nurses may “simultaneously hold two contrasting viewpoints and/or go back and forth between their personal attitudes and beliefs and professional beliefs and obligations.” Furthermore, the study demonstrated a multitude of factors that influence nurses' clinical decision-making and their relationship with ethically challenging work, such as struggling with themselves and their beliefs about bodily autonomy, separation from patients, and one of the most important is fear. Nurses fear being judged by others as "pro-abortion" or not feeling equipped enough to deal with a patient's emotional spectrum. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Conclusion All in all, the film Juno addresses the ongoing ethical issue of abortion as well as the ethical principles of autonomy, not
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