Video games have evolved from simple single-player games for enjoyment into more competitive multiplayer games, with game developers finding a way to gain more profits from their projects. The introduction of loot boxes is now popular among many modern games, mobile or console. The idea is that by purchasing these loot boxes, a player will gain exclusive perks in the game, which may not change the game’s outcome. Through continued behavior, loot boxes introduce gamers to gambling since their outcomes are not guaranteed and are based on luck.
Gambling is a game of chance, whereby a gambler spends a given amount to bet on their favorite team. While gambling has an age restriction and would hinder minors from engaging in it, gaming does not. This implies that anyone, including kids, can purchase loot boxes without any challenge. The popularity of multiplayer games has led to a surge in players globally. Most of these games offer in-app purchases in which players use real money to get in-game items such as currency and ‘skins’ for cosmetic appearance (Balakrishnan & Griffiths, 2018). There is an underlying belief of uniqueness while playing with players from different corners of the world, an idea that leads people to spend a vast sums of money on these items. Developers rely on this trend to introduce enticing deals in the form of loot boxes which are usually discounted and contain coveted items. However, there is no guarantee that a gamer will get the desired item on their first round (spin), which coerces them to go for several spins depending on availability and cost.
The cost of a spin usually increases with every round, meaning that a gamer spends a lot of money on an item they are not guaranteed to receive. A similar outlook is present in gambling through enticing odds and the ‘temptation’ to bet more money to win more. Scholars have associated this behavior with the loot box feature in video games, with gamers being determined to gain an advantage over other players (Moshirnia, 2018; Zendle et al., 2020). For instance, Zendle et al. (2020) argue that loot boxes and gambling have similar features that may introduce gambling to young individuals early, resulting in problem gambling. Gamers may be unaware of this trend, but a similar perception exists in gambling, whereby an individual is introduced to the act after engaging in it for a given period.
The idea of longevity and experience is perhaps the most appropriate link between gambling and loot boxes. For instance, gamers who regularly purchase loot boxes would not appreciate free ones since they know what paid ones contain (Zendle et al., 2020). Although such an argument may be against loot boxes, some scholars argue that legislation to curtail their existence would succeed. According to Moshirnia (2018), players are guaranteed to get one or two of the items in a loot box based on how many times they try their luck. Based on this statement, loot boxes are not that bad, although they still create a tendency of repetition and likely temptation for a player to continue spinning. In other words, a gamer is not fully satisfied until they get what they want. This behavior is likely to establish the psychological conditioning of loot boxes and their relationship or cause gambling.
Loot boxes pave the way for an individual’s introduction to gambling without their knowledge. There are currently no effective strategies to monitor this concern since they may be countered with the contents of a loot box and allow a gamer to get a coveted item after numerous tries. However, this does not imply that the loot box feature should not be regulated. Gamers are slowly getting into gambling without their knowledge, all for exclusivity and gaining a winning advantage, which negatively affects their mental state.
References
Balakrishnan, J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2018). Loyalty towards online games, gaming addiction, and purchase intention towards online mobile in-game features. Computers in Human Behavior, 87, 238-246. Web.
Moshirnia, A. V. (2018). Precious and worthless: A comparative perspective on loot boxes and gambling. Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology, 20(1), 77. Web.
Zendle, D., Cairns, P., Barnett, H., & McCall, C. (2020). Paying for loot boxes is linked to problem gambling, regardless of specific features like cash-out and pay-to-win. Computers in Human Behavior, 102, 181-191. Web.
Disability Concepts, Perception And Values
Introduction
Demographic Information
Individuals with disabilities refer to all people with special needs, including long-term physiological, subjective, intelligent, or functional limitations. Disability is projected to affect over a billion people, equating to around 15% of the global population (Whittle et al., 2017). As per the American Community Survey, elderly individuals are substantially more likely than young adults to have an impairment. For example, in 2015, nearly half of Americans aged 75 and over (49.8%) and almost a quarter (25.4%) of those aged 65 to 74 acknowledged dealing with disabilities (Whittle et al., 2017). By contrast, only 6% of Americans aged 18 to 34 and 13% of those aged 35 to 64 reported having a medical condition (Whittle et al., 2017). The most prevalent types of impairment require difficulty walking or living independently.
The most prevalent forms of impairment require trouble moving or living independently. In 2015, over 20 million people aged 18 and older admitted finding significant difficulties strolling or taking the stairs, accounting for 7.1% of the general non-institutionalized workforce (Whittle et al., 2017). Another 14 million adults aged 18 and older claimed to have difficulty carrying out tasks independently due to physiological, cognitive, or emotional problems (Whittle et al., 2017). While the probability of having an impairment is similar for men and women, there are variances by ethnicity and race. Asians were substantially less likely (6.9%) to report having a disability, trailed by Hispanics (8.8%) (Whittle et al., 2017). On the contrary, Alaskan Natives were the most likely to report a disability (17.7%) (Whittle et al., 2017). Certain regions, localities, and municipalities have a higher percentage of citizens with disabilities than others. With 19.4%, West Virginia had the greatest percentage of any state (Whittle et al., 2017). The number of disabled persons is escalating due to serious illnesses and demographic aging.
Challenges Faced
Disabled individuals are a significant minority population that is often neglected by society. They live in solitude, discrimination, hardship, compassion, and even pity. Individuals with disabilities often have limited access to adequate healthcare services. When direct access is used, mobility is inextricably linked to inclusive design. Persons with various forms of disabilities, such as vision and independent living disabilities, experience having a health care need that was unmet due to cost concerns (Okoro et al., 2018). The mindset of some staff members, particularly those working in hospitals, toward people with impairments is worrisome. They treat individuals with insufficient regard for their confidentiality and respect and make disparaging remarks about people with intellectual disabilities in particular.
Additionally, people with disabilities frequently encounter stigma, particularly if their impairments are obvious. Stigma refers to social devaluation due to discrediting differences or identity, as non-stigmatized individuals try to avoid others, fearing contamination (Bogart et al., 2018). Bogart et al. (2018) suggest that disability is prejudiced across cultures and history, as society believes that one can join this minority group at any time. People often stigmatize and blame those who acquire disabilities, as if such conditions were controllable (Bogart et al., 2018). Therefore, people with disabilities can face significant barriers in socialization due to stigma.
Societal Views and Values of Person with Disability
The disabled are sometimes viewed as “less than human” by societies. There is a misconception that they do not experience pain as other people do. They do not share similar needs, aspirations, or emotions as ordinary people and thus do not have the same privileges and obligations. Disability is socially constructed, and perceptions in the community can reinforce the oppression towards people with disabilities (Bunbury, 2019). The prevalent view is that these persons are incompetent to contribute to or engage in society and depend on government or charitable groups.
Societal parameters are expressed as criteria that community and social institutions use to establish personal objectives and ultimately affect social structure within a society. Some of the community values linked with the views mentioned above include compassion. The idea that persons with disabilities are lesser human beings makes them disadvantaged in their neighborhoods. Disability compassion may occur in workplaces where corporations provide disabled workers with equal opportunity. Daehn and Croxson (2021) propose that by prioritizing empathy, compassion, and humility, all people can be empowered at the workplace, including the fields of science and engineering. Most persons within the community show love for disabled individuals. Due to their shortcomings, it is only human to be empathetic towards such individuals. However, with society’s views against them, people often express a lack of consideration, passion, or interest towards the disabled.
Personal Views and Values
Based on my understanding of disability, I view disabled people as a part of society and capable. Moreover, persons who are handicapped, when given opportunities and appropriate tools, can perform to their best. Empathy is described as the capacity to comprehend and share another’s emotions. Individuals must grasp who disabled individuals are and embrace them. The ultimate purpose of civilization should concentrate on how humans can grow collectively.
The following values, as described, are my values towards disabled people. First, mutual respect is necessary for everyone, as it makes people human. Second, compassion for the disabled, regardless of their peculiarities, is critical for a society to operate effectively. Having love in one’s life prevents people from feeling compelled to injure those who are disabled. Individuals recognize their commonalities rather than their contrasts in talents when they are in love. Finally, there is a need for increased charitable giving with institutions and people that serve the cognitively disabled. Identification and erasure of prevalent attitudes toward people with developmental disabilities and improved education across all sectors of society about the functionality of people with disabilities should be an area of focus.
Professional Values
Social Work Profession Regarding Persons with Disability
Social workers assist persons in need and seek to resolve social issues. Every social problem is a disability concern, as one in every four Americans lives with a chronic ailment that impairs their ability to operate. Regardless of their job situation or specialty, caseworkers are likely to deal with individuals with impairments every day. The social work institution’s social justice focus encourages practitioners to campaign for fairness regulations, programs, and behaviors that benefit individuals with disabilities. When working with individuals of differing abilities, social workers understand that their primary objective is to help people in need and promote social justice (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2021). Social workers understand that persons with disabilities can make their own choices and that communication should represent people’s objective values.
Social Work Values
Social workers believe that providing help must be done with authenticity, with the utmost regard for individual confidentiality and self-direction. Social work is based on human rights with values such as service and social justice (Mapp et al., 2019; NASW, 2021). Social workers understand that every person has the right to security in the circumstances like having a disability (Mapp et al., 2019). Therefore, professionals in social work support the worth of every person’s needs and encourage reforms that can enhance their lives.
NASW Code of Ethics
NASW (National Association of Social Workers) recognizes the importance of addressing issues within society. One of the main values of NASW is service with the principle of addressing social problems (NASW, 2021). Bogart et al. (2018) suggest that, despite a high percentage of people with disabilities, disability stigma is one of the least researched topics. Therefore, social workers are obliged to continuously raise debates on providing better opportunities to those who have disabilities.
Additionally, NASW emphasizes the dignity of every person within the community. Concerning the value of dignity and worth, social workers must be mindful of individual differences and respectfully treat people (NASW, 2021). People may often distance themselves from individuals with disabilities to avoid poor-quality communication or any form of contamination (Bogart et al., 2018). To prevent social stigma, social workers must promote equal treatment of people who have disabilities and show the public the worth of each person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there exists a difference in perception and values between the societal, personal, and professional concepts of disability. While the individual and expert views and values hold towards respecting and treating the disabled with dignity and ensuring transparency in services, society sees them as fewer beings. Despite advances in the treatment, perspectives, and rights of individuals with disabilities, insufficient care, stereotyping, and prejudice persist, even within the field of social work. Social workers must advance fairness and social justice. Social workers must continue to push for policies and practices that ensure equal opportunity for all individuals, irrespective of functional limitations. Assisting trainees with impairments is a necessary first step toward increasing the industry’s inclusion of individuals with different cognitive and behavioral capacities. Finally, awareness programs among societal members would help change the negative perceptions that the community holds against disabled people.
References
Bogart, K. R., Rosa, N. M., & Slepian, M. L. (2018). Born that way or became that way: Stigma toward congenital versus acquired disability. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 22(4), 594-612. Web.
Bunbury, S. (2019). Unconscious bias and the medical model: How the social model may hold the key to transformative thinking about disability discrimination. International Journal of Discrimination and the Law, 19(1), 26-47. Web.
Daehn, I. S., & Croxson, P. L. (2021). Disability innovation strengthens STEM. Science, 373(6559), 1097-1099. Web.
Mapp, S., McPherson, J., Androff, D., & Gatenio Gabel, S. (2019). Social work is a human rights profession. Social Work, 64(3), 259-269. Web.
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics. Author.
Okoro, C. A., Hollis, N. D., Cyrus, A. C., & Griffin-Blake, S. (2018). Prevalence of disabilities and health care access by disability status and type among adults – United States, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(32), 882. Web.
Whittle, H. J., Palar, K., Ranadive, N. A., Turan, J. M., Kushel, M., & Weiser, S. D. (2017). “The land of the sick and the land of the healthy”: Disability, bureaucracy, and stigma among people living with poverty and chronic illness in the United States. Social Science & Medicine, 190, 181-189. Web.
Responsibility For Citizens’ Well-Being
Introduction
Discussions on whether the responsibility for citizens’ well-being in the face of social risks lies with private individuals, the state, or both have been experienced in many countries. One of the aspects that have been analyzed involves the social responsibility for health. Many people in society face challenges when trying to access healthcare services.
For instance, people from low socioeconomic families can lack adequate funds to access medical services. Individuals have also engaged in some behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, leading to some diseases. The states may also fail to build adequate facilities to ensure that citizens can access health care services with ease. Therefore, one can argue that both private individuals and the state are responsible for citizens’ well-being in the face of social risks.
Reasons why Private Individuals Have Responsibility for Their Well-Being
Lifestyle is one of the significant factors that can lead to various infections. Many people in the modern world are not focusing on diet, whereby they are developing various conditions. For instance, obese people in countries such as Australia have increased since many citizens are not concentrating on healthy eating. Additionally, some sicknesses such as lung infections and heart diseases are being recorded in many areas due to increased smoking.
Therefore, individuals should ensure that they focus on their lifestyles to avoid developing such illnesses. The current COVID-19 pandemic also shows that citizens and governments have to be responsible for the well-being of individuals. In this case, residents are encouraged to focus on the measures that have been emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO). For instance, it is the responsibility of individuals to wear masks and avoid crowded areas. Therefore, the risk of being infected with the virus primarily involves one’s behaviors.
People’s lifestyles can also lead to infections such as HIV/AIDS. Although governments have ensured that citizens are educated about the risk factors of the disease, many people have contracted the virus due to unprotected sex. Moreover, many countries have spent many funds to inform the public about the condition. Nonetheless, many cases are being recorded in various regions, which are being steered by unprotected sex.
These lifestyle-related illnesses have also largely contributed to the rising expenses of medical care. Therefore, one can argue that the relationship between lifestyle, infection burden, and healthcare costs reveals that persons are morally responsible for their health‐related choices in the face of social risks. However, people should not be held entirely accountable for their health since the government has some responsibilities to ensure that citizens’ well-being is observed.
Reasons why the States Have the Responsibility for Citizens’ Well-Being
Many countries have ensured that people’s well-being is achieved by developing policies to ensure that all persons can receive various services. For instance, contemporary Australian society has been improved by focusing on human services delivery (Carson & Kerr, 2017). However, many people have argued that they experience challenges when seeking medical services. Moreover, some health procedures are expensive, making it hard for low socioeconomic families to obtain the amenities. Therefore, the state should ensure that people can access these services easily by encouraging lower treatment costs.
The distribution of resources in various areas is also the responsibility of the state. Some public healthcare facilities in rural areas face challenges, whereby they lack some equipment and adequate staff to meet the desired healthcare outcomes. Policies have also been introduced to ensure that human rights are protected (Jamrozik, 2009). For example, the disability policy was introduced in countries such as China, the US, and Australia to guarantee that people with disabilities are not discriminated against when accessing various services (Jamrozik, 2009). Nonetheless, many disabled individuals have argued that they experienced bias in the community. Consequently, the government should focus on ways that guarantee that people adhere to the policies. For instance, the state can introduce hefty charges to any person who violates the regulations.
The government can also introduce health programs to ensure that citizens know the social risks they can encounter. For instance, states should guarantee that communities are informed about the current pandemic and ways to avoid the spread of the virus. Moreover, governments are responsible for warranting that all hospitals have adequate tools and healthcare practitioners to offer services to those infected with the virus.
Additionally, the state should ensure that vaccines are available to guarantee that people can be immunized. Issues such as family violence have also increased in many countries, whereby deaths involving domestic conflicts have been recorded. For instance, cases of people who have developed health complications, including mental conditions due to domestic family disputes, have been experienced in Australia (World Health Organization, 2019). Therefore, the government should ensure that policies to limit such issues are introduced as they primarily involve the well-being of the citizens.
The governments should emphasize other aspects such as workplace safety standards. In this case, many people have developed complications due to poor working environments. Therefore, the state is responsible for ensuring that organizations have met the required standards before starting their operations. Companies should also be issued permits after a thorough inspection to guarantee that they do not risk their workers. Increased pollution from firms has also led to many diseases in individuals (Fuller & Font, 2019). Hence, states can guarantee that policies to limit greenhouse gas emissions and poor waste management are enacted. These arguments, therefore, reveal that the state is also responsible for assuring the citizen’s well-being in the face of social risks.
Counter Argument
Although different aspects have revealed that individuals and the state are responsible for citizens’ well-being, one can argue that collaboration between the two parties should be exercised. In this case, people should ensure that they work with the government to guarantee that these risks are limited (Lambin & Thorlakson, 2018). For instance, communities can help the government eradicate drug abuse by reporting individuals who engage in drug trafficking.
Citizens can also inform their leaders about the various issues that impact their lives in the community. For example, individuals can report cases of discrimination to criminal justice officials. Governments can also encourage people to visit various public institutions to seek guidance about a particular issue. For instance, people should be encouraged to visit healthcare facilities and get tested for the coronavirus. Therefore, the collaboration between citizens and the state should be encouraged as they impact people’s well-being.
Conclusion
The well-being of citizens is an essential aspect that should be observed. Individuals should ensure that they focus on different aspects that can influence their well-being. For instance, lifestyle is a factor that can lead to the development of many conditions. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also revealed that citizens are responsible for their health. In this case, people are encouraged to adhere to the guidelines that have been introduced to limit the spread of the virus. The state is also responsible for the well-being of the citizens since policies to protect individuals should be implemented by the government. The state should also provide resources in various facilities such as hospitals. Therefore, it is the responsibility of individuals and the state to ensure that citizens’ well-being in the face of social risks is achieved.
References
Carson, E., & Kerr, L. (2017). Australian social policy and the human services (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Fuller, G. W., & Font, A. (2019). Keeping air pollution policies on track. Science, 365(6451), 322-323. Web.
Jamrozik, A. W. (2009). Social policy in the post-welfare state: Australian society in a changing world (3rd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.
Lambin, E. F., & Thorlakson, T. (2018). Sustainability standards: Interactions between private actors, civil society, and governments. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 43, 369-393. Web.
World Health Organization. (2019). Global action plan on physical activity 2018-2030: More active people for a healthier world. World Health Organization.