Response from: Chuck Gallagher    (07/01/07 3:50pm)

It seems that some things never change. As adults, we hear through the media, about the lack of ethics and the consequences of ethical lapses. They capture attention in almost every venue - from broadcast to internet to print. Whether we hear about Enron, HP, Martha Stewart, or the latest lapse in ethical judgment - one thing we know is that the ethical choices we make can have a profound impact on the consequences we live.

Not only are adults aware of the ethical issues in our country, but youth are also bombarded with choices and ethical issues. Recently a "Teen Ethics Poll" was released by JA Worldwide™ (Junior Achievement) and Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte). The results, featured on the Junior Achievement web site and reported in an article in USA Today dated December 6, 2006, support the concept that unethical decisions start at an early age. "The notion that large numbers of students feel somewhat unprepared to make ethical decisions, coupled with the fact that they feel pressure to succeed at all costs, is a troubling combination," said David Miller Ph.D., Executive Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and Assistant Professor (Adjunct) of Business Ethics.

Published survey results showed that 69% of teens admitted to such unethical behavior as lying, 34% to illegally downloading music, and 22% to cheating on tests. The most interesting statistic in the ethics survey and perhaps the most telling is that 81% of the students who feel significant pressure to succeed believe that the pressure will either remain the same or increase as they enter the workforce. With statistics like this, it's no wonder that ethical issues and ethics conferences abound.

Everywhere they turn, they are observing people, real or fictional, moving to the top by choices they make. Unfortunately, they do not observe that there are negative consequences to those choices. What happens in the home? Some cheat on their taxes. Others behave in ways that demonstrate success is measured by looks, money. Many parents live on credit to impress the external world and then are unable to pay the debt. Yes, the youth are surrounded by many different messages regarding ethical choices.

Over the years, through many ethics speaking engagements, I have found that young people thirst for reasons to do the right thing. Yet, society places a premium on success at all costs, which fosters an environment for inevitable ethical dilemmas. It's time we take responsibility as adults to reverse the trends supported by this current ethics study.

The Choices Foundation provides a forum through which ethical behavior is taught to high school and college students during their formative years. Perhaps, if a young person is exposed to real life effects of unethical behavior, he or she will have a frame of reference as to the real negative consequences that can follow.

Response from: tower defense    (05/05/09 7:50pm)

Yet, society places a premium on success at all costs, which fosters an environment for inevitable ethical dilemmas. It's time we take responsibility as adults to reverse the trends supported by this current ethics study.

Response from:

Most business schools struggle to teach ethics and social responsibility simply because they don't know how to go about it, according to the experts. Not enough case studies or expertise, they say.

Response from: news.fatpitchfinancials.com

Most business schools struggle to teach ethics and social responsibility simply because they don't know how to go about it, according to the experts. Not enough case studies or expertise, they say.

Response from: BizzBites.com

Most business schools struggle to teach ethics and social responsibility simply because they don't know how to go about it, according to the experts. Not enough case studies or expertise, they say.