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Alvin Garlic
NUR 109
May 4, 2016

You may talk but will he listen?

The developmental theory I choose to apply to Joe is Moral Development(MD)
by Lawrence Kohlberg. MD is divided into three levels. Each level is divided
into 2 stages. Level one is the Preconvention Level. The first stage is
Punishment or Obedience Orientation. At this stage between the ages of 2 to
3 years old. A child is taught that they must obey rules or they will be
punished. The second stage is Instrumental Relativist Orientation. In the
second stage children are between the ages of 4 to 7 years old. A child at
this age is motivated by self -interest. How will this benefit me? Level two is
the Conventional Level. The third stage is Social Conformity Orientation. This
stage is comprised of the children 7 to 10 years old. At this stage a child is
focused on conforming to social norms. The fourth stage is Law and Order
Orientation. The children of stage four are between 10 and 12 years old. The
children in this stage are able to consider society as a whole. They believe
following rules and laws are their duty as part of society. Level three is Post
Conventional Level. This level is comprised of children from the age of 12
and older. Stage five is Social Contract Orientation. Adolescents and adults in
this stage believe they should follow laws that are agreed upon by society as
a whole because they have sense of social responsibilities. Stage six is
Universal Ethics Orientation. Individuals in this stage follow internalized
standards and principles. Even when they contradict with rules and laws of
society.

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Joes behavior can be explained by the understanding of Kohlbergs level
three. Joe is 15 years old and in my opinion he has not yet developed the
maturity for moral reasoning associated with this level. Joe believes that he
can play sports with no worries about his grades. He is the 10th grade and he
is taking advantage of his parents separation. Joes mother is also
considering taking a promotion that will move the family to a new city which
is additionally troublesome. Because is he is living with one parent it makes
it easier to get away with tardiness and/or his leaving school early. Joe could
use several excused such as, My mom and dad are not able to bring me to
school.
One priority concern of professional nurse is that Joe may be involved in risky
behavior. Joes truancy could be for sexual activities, drug use, and/or
drinking with his peers. Some interventions a professional nurse may plan
are provide education on safe sex and education on the effects of drinking
and drug use as an adolescent.
Another nursing concerns could be Joes possible depression stemming from
his parents separation. A professional nurse could provide the parents with
literature so to guide Joe through the separation easier, so he should not feel
that he is the reason for the separation. A professional nurse may suggest
that Joe speak to an adult at school that he feels comfortable talking to, like
a favorite teacher, guidance counselor or a coach.

Pillitteri, Adele, PhD, RN, PNP.(2002). Maternal & Child Health Nursing: Care
of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family. (Ed 6) Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins: Pennsylvania