Ethical integrity is one of the cornerstones of academia. With the plagiarism rates in the US, the need for ethics is now more than ever. So, even though there are many websites offering online assignment assistance, many students are deterred from hiring them. A certain section of academicians argue that it is unethical to hire someone to do your homework. However, canceling freelancers or professional writers cannot be an easy decision. On one hand, freelance writing can be a lucrative career. On the other, it may raise serious questions about the legitimacy of the assignments they are submitting.
So, in this blog, we will shed some light on this topic and try to understand if it is ethical to write essays for money.
I. Understanding the Context
You need to have a basic understanding of the context. One may charge money for doing various kinds of assignments. For example, freelance writers create content for –
- Blogs
- Magazines
- Other publications
Academic essay writing, however, typically involves completing assignments on behalf of students. This difference is crucial to understand before we delve any further. The context in which one is writing for you significantly impacts the ethical implications of the same.
II. The Ethics of Academic Essay Writing
Before buying a professional service, understand that academic integrity is the bedrock of the educational system. When students buy professional assistance, they are essentially violating this primary principle. Moreover, when students submit work that is not their own, they undermine the educational process. This dishonesty may give some of them unfair academic advantages. So, many students who have worked hard suffer from lower grades. This affects the credibility of educational institutions.
Thanks to digitization, all you need to do is click here and get instant essay help online. But there are some key ethical issues associated with academic essay writing. This table will help you understand how these issues can leave long-lasting effects –
| Ethical Issues | Effects Associated With It |
| Academic Integrity | Undermining Their Skills |
| Learning Outcomes | Undermine the Value of Academic Qualifications |
| Unfair Advantage | Undermines Merit of Deserving Candidates |
1. Academic Integrity
When a student buys an essay, they are not submitting their own work. So, they are misrepresenting their abilities. This compromises the fairness of assessments for those who have worked hard themselves. This can lead to inflated grades that do not reflect the ability of a student properly.
2. Learning Outcomes
Education is designed to help students develop various skills like –
- Critical thinking
- Writing skills
- Subject knowledge
By outsourcing their essays, students miss out on such essential learning experiences. This affects their individual growth. At the same time, it also undermines the value of their academic qualifications.
3. Unfair Advantage
These services are not always cheap. Only a few of you can afford them. Students who can afford to pay for the essays always gain an unfair advantage over those who cannot. This creates an inequitable educational environment. So, students with higher merit often end up getting lower marks than someone with more money. This should ideally never be the case.
How It Works in the Context of Freelance Writing
On the other hand, freelance writing for non-academic purposes is also a legitimate profession. There are a huge number of independent writers who produce content for –
- Businesses
- Publications
- Blogs
- Websites and many others.
This type of work is generally considered ethical because it does not involve misrepresentation. Freelancers are usually paid according to their expertise. Their creativity also determines how valuable they can be.
However, freelance writers also need to maintain professional standards. For example, when they are writing any promotional content, they need to maintain transparency to avoid misleading audiences. So, outside academia, paying for essay writing can still be looked at with skepticism. But, it gets much stricter when it comes to academic content.
How to Balance the Scales?
Writing essays for students poses significant ethical dilemmas. However, the broader practice of freelance writing does not inherently carry the same issues. Here are some considerations for maintaining ethical practices in academic contexts –
A. Promoting Academic Support
Instead of completing assignments for students, consider offering tutoring services or academic coaching. This way, you help students develop their own skills and knowledge, which supports their educational journey.
B. Encouraging Original Work
If you are involved in academic writing, ensure that your work is used to help students understand topics better. They should inspire them to come up with their own ideas rather than replace their efforts.
C. Transparency and Integrity
While writing or providing academic assistance, always uphold honesty and clarity. For academic writing, be clear about the distinction between support and completion of assignments.
ENDNOTE
The ethical considerations surrounding writing essays for money largely revolve around the impact on academic integrity and fairness. While freelance writing in non-academic contexts is generally acceptable, it is not the same in academic essay writing. Here, students who submit it as their own work end up undermining the educational process. Thus, to maintain ethical standards, individuals should prioritize transparency and a commitment to fostering genuine learning.
While the gig economy and freelance opportunities continue to expand, maintaining ethical standards is crucial for ensuring fairness in both academic and professional settings. By focusing on support rather than substitution, we can take a positive step in that direction. By upholding integrity in all writing endeavors, we can contribute to a more honest environment in the professional writing world.