Consider the factual data presented by Davis that about 70% of all cultures are collectivistic (i.e., loyalties of a person to a group exceed the rights of the individual) rather than individualistic (i.e., the rights of the individual supercede those of the group).

However, many cultures do not share the primacy of the value of individualism. Basic to the value placed on individualism are the beliefs that 'individuals have the ability to pull themselves up by their bootstraps' and that an individual’s rights are more important than a society’s. American culture with its emphasis on self-reliance and individualism ( Davis, 1999). The values of nursing in the States are, for example, embedded in the values of the U.S. Therefore, our purpose in writing this article is threefold: a) to clarify the relationships among cultural values, ethics, and ethical conflicts b) to demonstrate with examples from the culture predominant in the United States how cultural attitudes and values in nursing may lead to conflict as a result of increasing globalization, and c) to formulate nursing strategies to decrease ethical conflicts related to cultural values.Ĭultural Values, Ethics, and Ethical ConflictsĬultural values refer to enduring ideals or belief systems to which a person or a society is committed. The rubber meets the road when the two terms are joined: cultural values. (See definitions and assumptions) For values, terms that immediately come to mind are belief systems and norms. For culture, terms that immediately come to mind are ethnocentrism, cultural imposition, cultural importation, and cultural exportation. One can identify subsets of words associated with each. Value’s primary homebase is philosophy, especially as it relates to ethics. Culture’s primary homebase is anthropology. Both words have many interpretations but each word has a primary association with a discipline. Implicit or explicit in the works of these authors are the notions of culture and of values. Outlaw, for example, expressively requests 'a call for scholarly inquiry on human diversity' (p. In a like manner other authors (e.g., Bellack& O’Neil, 2000 Gibson, 2000 Hegyvary, 2000 Outlaw, 1997) have called attention to the need for closer scrutiny of our values and beliefs about diversity. The first trend listed relates to diversity and its impact on disease and illness and the subsequent challenge to change education and practice to be congruent and respectful of differing values and beliefs. In a recent article, Heller, Oros, and Durney-Crowley ( 2000) note 10 trends to watch regarding the future of nursing education. Related Issue: ' Nursing Around the World' 3 Available: Keywords: culture, cultural values, ethical conflicts Citatation: Ludwick, R., Silva, M.C., (August 14, 2000) 'Ethics: Nursing Around the World: Cultural Values and Ethical Conflicts' Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol.

Cultural imposition example