Gender Stereotyping of Robotic Systems in Eldercare: An Exploratory Analysis of Ethical Problems and Possible Solutions

Socio psychological studies show that gender stereotypes play an important role in human-robot interaction. However, they may have various morally problematic implications and consequences that need ethical consideration, especially in a sensitive field like eldercare. Against this backdrop, we conduct an exploratory ethical analysis of moral issues of gender stereotyping in robotics for eldercare. The leading question is what moral problems and conflicts can arise from gender stereotypes in care robots for older people and how we should deal with them. We first provide an overview on the state of empirical research regarding gender stereotyping in human-robot interaction and the special field of care robotics for older people. Starting from a principlist approach, we then map possible moral problems and conflicts with regard to common ethical principles of autonomy, care, and justice. We subsequently consider possible solutions for the development and implementation of morally acceptable robots for eldercare, focusing on three different strategies: explanation, neutralization, and queering of care robots. Finally, we discuss potentials and problems associated with these three strategies and conclude that especially the queering of robotics and the idea of a gender-fluid robot offers an innovative outlook that deserves closer ethical, social, and technological examination.

'Ni Una Menos': A women's social movement contesting gender-based violence in Arequipa, Peru

<p>Ni Una Menos (NUM) is a social movement that since 2015 has spread through Latin America as a response to continuing problems of femicides and gender-based violence. NUM challenges gender power relations embedded in the machista culture, which top-down approaches within mainstream gender and development approaches (GAD) have overlooked. To date, most studies of NUM have focused on the movement in Argentina, and its major public actions. Few studies have sought a holistic understanding of how the movement contests Gender Based Violence (GBV) on a day-to-day basis. This research involved a case study of the NUM movement in Arequipa, Peru. I undertook a mixed methods approach, placing this in context of GAD and social movement theories. I worked with NUM Arequipa activists to understand the movement and its strategies in the local context; and with students to explore their knowledge about, and response to, NUM Arequipa’s strategies. NUM Arequipa practised two forms of activism. The first - ‘traditional’ activism’, raised awareness and challenged machista sociocultural structures through media, public campaigns and education. These strategies complemented international GAD practice by challenging unequal gender relationships and incorporating male participation. The second - ‘quiet’ or ‘everyday’ activism - focused on providing support and advocacy for victims of GBV, and a commitment to empathy, care and justice. For both types of strategies, social media and connections to local organisations were important. However, NUM Arequipa, with its non-feminist public identity and quiet activism, found challenges distinguishing itself from other ‘loud’ feminist NUM groups. This confusion meant that students had limited awareness of NUM Arequipa’s specific activities and achievements. The thesis concludes that grassroots movements like NUM Arequipa, alongside more explicitly feminist and confrontational forms of social movements, are essential to eradicating GBV because they can work through relationships to make short-term change in people’s lives while also challenging patriarchal and machista structures in ways that are sensitive to the sociocultural context.</p>

'Ni Una Menos': A women's social movement contesting gender-based violence in Arequipa, Peru

<p>Ni Una Menos (NUM) is a social movement that since 2015 has spread through Latin America as a response to continuing problems of femicides and gender-based violence. NUM challenges gender power relations embedded in the machista culture, which top-down approaches within mainstream gender and development approaches (GAD) have overlooked. To date, most studies of NUM have focused on the movement in Argentina, and its major public actions. Few studies have sought a holistic understanding of how the movement contests Gender Based Violence (GBV) on a day-to-day basis. This research involved a case study of the NUM movement in Arequipa, Peru. I undertook a mixed methods approach, placing this in context of GAD and social movement theories. I worked with NUM Arequipa activists to understand the movement and its strategies in the local context; and with students to explore their knowledge about, and response to, NUM Arequipa’s strategies. NUM Arequipa practised two forms of activism. The first - ‘traditional’ activism’, raised awareness and challenged machista sociocultural structures through media, public campaigns and education. These strategies complemented international GAD practice by challenging unequal gender relationships and incorporating male participation. The second - ‘quiet’ or ‘everyday’ activism - focused on providing support and advocacy for victims of GBV, and a commitment to empathy, care and justice. For both types of strategies, social media and connections to local organisations were important. However, NUM Arequipa, with its non-feminist public identity and quiet activism, found challenges distinguishing itself from other ‘loud’ feminist NUM groups. This confusion meant that students had limited awareness of NUM Arequipa’s specific activities and achievements. The thesis concludes that grassroots movements like NUM Arequipa, alongside more explicitly feminist and confrontational forms of social movements, are essential to eradicating GBV because they can work through relationships to make short-term change in people’s lives while also challenging patriarchal and machista structures in ways that are sensitive to the sociocultural context.</p>

Beyond the rhetoric of Genesis 34:1–28: Understanding the rape epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic

This article explored the rape of Dinah in Genesis 34:1–28 and its implications to the escalating rape cases during the period of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria. By examining the rape in the pericope and other key passages in the Old Testament, this article argues that it points towards care and justice for victims of rape, and prosecution of rapists. These social ethics are analysed in relation to the contemporary rape epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Like the rape in Genesis, rape victims in Nigeria have little or no access to getting justice and counselling from society, non-government organisations and faith-based organisations, against their aggressors (the rapists). These problems highlight the relevance of this biblical narrative for the policyholders, the government and churches in Nigeria.Intra/interdisciplinary implications: This research is based on the impact of rape on the victim and the aggressor in Genesis 34:1–28. Similar to what is obtainable amongst Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic, Genesis 34:1–28 reveals that rape has far reaching implications on the victim and the aggressor. It leads to low self-esteem, hate, suicide as well as the death of the aggressor or victim. Disciplines implicated include Old Testament, Religion, Cultural Studies and Sociology.

An invisible problem: stigma and FASD diagnosis in the health and justice professions

Purpose Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a complex lifelong disorder impacting the brain and body. Individuals with FASD may require lifelong supports and are at a higher risk of experiencing adverse outcomes, including incarceration. Individuals with FASD face stigma related to FASD that impacts disclosure of the diagnosis and access to supports. The prevalence of FASD exceeds that of other developmental disabilities, yet it remains less visible and stigmatized. Design/methodology/approach Interviews conducted with health-care and justice professionals in a Canadian province explore their experiences attending to FASD and challenges of stigma. Findings While difficult to access, diagnosis provides a pathway to supports and is crucial in the criminal justice process. Visibility and invisibility in health and justice systems highlight the lack of understanding of FASD and surrounding stigma. When unaddressed, individuals with FASD face additional challenges stemming from a lack of information and strategies by professionals involved in their lives. Originality/value Stigma represents a significant and complex issue intertwined in understandings of FASD. This research explores this relationship and the mechanisms through which FASD stigma has impacts in health-care and justice settings.

Ethics in Organization and Management

A fundamental challenge for scholars and practitioners of organization and management is the integration of theoretical ethics with practical decision-making. This article discusses the historical evolution of ethics in organization and management through today. Additionally, the article utilizes a compare and contrast approach of three contemporary theories of ethical decision-making, namely ethics of virtue, ethics of care, and ethics of justice, to implicate their applicability to practice under conditions of globalization. Ethics of virtue, care, and justice share common concepts imperative for organizations in a global environment. They address the idea of equality and self-sufficiency and are concerned with the establishment and sustenance of lasting relationships. Organizations can, therefore, succeed in any environment providing that decision makers make the effort to adhere to standards that are moral, fair, caring, and just. Every unethical behavior should be condemned.

Care and injustice

After briefly reconstructing the debate concerning care and justice, this article highlights the difference between liberal ontology and epistemology, and the epistemic and ontological assumptions of care ethics. It explores the importance of social epistemology and epistemic injustice for care ethics and links care ethics to an ecological and horizontal epistemology. It justifies forgoing the construction of a systematic theory of justice à la Rawls, endorses an idea of justice that gives priority to injustice and sees democracy as a precondition for a caring society.