ISSUES AFFECTING HELPING
To voluntarily assist a person in need without expectation of reward or acknowledgement relates to helping. It may depend on the dedication of the person providing assistance since no guarantee of reciprocation. The aspects is further propelled by various occurrences that may differ in concept, content and also, in the acquiring a source of voluntary help (Winerman, 2006).
With reference to the case, the age gap factor affects the relationship especially in step families. Based on the scenario at hand, the widower is fifty years old, with two teenage daughters and his intention is to marry a person thirty one years younger. This means that the family will be composed of three young adults and one mature adult, probing the gap on responsibility, since three family members are within the development and experimental stage. More so, the 19 years old wife –to- be has no intentions of caring for the spouse –to- be teenage daughters. Another aspect on this case involves the probability of the children, disobeying their father and the stepmother based on decisions that seem to alienate them from their past norms like going to a boarding school, as well as other clashing initiatives.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the issues that emanate to affect helping in any given situation with focus on the widower’s case and support him in understanding the scenario, based on the outlook of the attitudes presented from pre introduction of the intended initiatives.
Issues witnessed with regards to the case, connected to helping are to be evaluated with assessment on, factors concerning obedience (Zhang, Higgins & Chen, 2011) of the children and the stepmother, responsibility gaps propelled by the age difference and the level of maturity of involved varied groups’ representations with regards to age differences. Another factor that corresponds to the situation of this case regards to the time factor against age factor, whereby the timing differences may affect the overall out look of the situation on respective parties in this case.
According to (Benjamin & Simpsons, 2009) obedience is a factor in social aspects that involves taking directives from a person with authority over you, hence conform without disregard. In the case, obedience probes to be as situation of divided aspects between the authority in the family and those whom the directives points to. The father need to understand the changing scenario of the family as related to the teenage daughters attitude fuelled by the changes in the family composition and relationships quality amongst each other( Morry, Reich & Kito, 2009). Benjamin & Simpson (2009) imply that, obedience that is pressured on conformity bears disputes as highlighted in their analysis of Milgram’s observation related to obedience and factors affecting it. This is further demonstrated in the case’s scenario, where conformity is far from being attained. Effects on obedience in this scenario can be attributed to two parties in the case, who are subject to conforming to the authority’s values.
Time has implication on helping regarding the situation and the acceptance that is to be derived from mutual understanding. According to (Benjamin & Simpson, 2009), pressure against time influences the act of helping and the degree of acceptance. Time is still affected by the level of understanding based on the person and the character he or she presents such that, the person may be able to help when time correspond to responsibility and knowledge related to the situation.
In situations where other people with ability to help are present, helping is affected due to division of responsibility, perceptions and the situation to deal with. Responsibility factors vary with variety of personalities and attitudes as well as development stage in growth. Zhang, Higgins and Chen (2011) evaluate how responsibilities tend to differentiate regarding different age groups and also the people character traits. With regards to the case, the responsibility of the children is bestowed on to a person who is a nonconformist. Winerman (2006) adds that, personal development instigates responsibility of a person to others. More so, responsibility may diffuse in such a case especially when individuals are motivated in aspects of behavior introduced by another individual. Secondly, situation and the manner intended in approach may affect the assistance in a diminishing or a positive way. The situation may present requirements that address change of previous trends, beliefs or personality clash with conformity (Winerman, 2006).
In conclusion, helping dictates assumption of responsibility with no influence of a gain. The case presented, has a lot of loop holes in regards to matters of helping since only one neutral party is directing the others towards conforming within the aspects he want implemented. Obedience is dependent on the approach and the acceptance of the situation from both the children and the wife to be. Instilling understanding and acceptance from both parties based on comprehensive explanation of the situation and changes that have been and will be evident, may foster mutual responsibility; hence deliver positivity in helping regardless of time factor.
REFERENCES
Benjamin, L.T., & Simpson, J. A. (2009). The power of the situation: The impact of Milgram’s obedience studies on personality and social psychology. American Psychologist, 64 (1), 12-19.
Morry, M. M., Reich, T., & Kito, M. (2010). How Do I See You Relative to Myself? Relationship Quality as a Predictor of Self- and Partner-Enhancement Within Cross-Sex Friendships, Dating Relationships, and Marriages. Journal of Social Psychology, 150(4), 369-392. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Winerman, L. (2006). Helping others, helping ourselves. Monitor Staff, 37 (11), 38
Zhang, S., Higgins, E., & Chen, G. (2011). Managing Others Like You Were Managed: How Prevention Focus Motivates Copying Interpersonal Norms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(4), 647. Retrieved May 11, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2318523531).
