PART 1

Introduction

The six-step conceptions for problem-solving by Hayes (1981) have made available the
systematic approach to solve problems. There is the need to ensure the completion of one step
before proceeding to the next step of which are repeatable. Further to this, one can repeat the
earlier step at any point, before proceeding to the next step (Transtutor, 2019).

The objective is not about solving but evolving for any necessary adjustments to the solution
on a continuous basis so as to accommodate any new challenges that emerge by means of
repeating the six steps process (Transtutor, 2019).

The step 1 of the process will involve the identification of the problem by means of problem
formulation and questioning of which will require the need to raise the right questions for the
purpose of discovering the root cause of the problems (Transtutor, 2019). Step 2 will involve
the determination of the root cause of which will be involving the uncovering of the
assumptions so that the underlying problem can be further revealed, facilitating the collection
and analyses of data opportunity. In so far as step 3 is concerned, it is about the development
of alternative solutions. This is done so via the determination of the appropriate solutions of
which will be processed via a creative selection that leads to step 4. At this step 4, there will
be the exploration of the pros and cons in connection to the options being made available by
means of predicting the potential consequences (Transtutor, 2019). Upon doing so, step 5 will
then kick in, which is about implementing the solution by developing the necessary action
plan for the implementation and execution of the solution process. After which, will then
proceed to step 6, which is related to the necessary evaluation of the outcome, including that
of the results in connection to the solution process.

This would mean that a number of questions will be raised, such as if the questions asked
have been answered by the selected options. From there, such a process has facilitated the
necessary tracking and thus enabling very in-depth investigations in connection to the
problem and search for a solution in connection to the problem (Transtutor, 2019).
Identify and Analysis of Problem

There are a number of strategies which one can effectively be utilized for the purpose of
solving problems by means of thinking, which must be critical and creative. One of these
strategies includes that of the six steps problem-solving concept being introduced by Hayes
(1981).

Without a doubt, it has become a common practice to have employment downsizing due to
the fact that many companies are constantly struggling towards cutting costs while adapting
to the change in market demands.

In so far as the scenario is concerned, the clearly stated problem is about the fact that it is
merely a gossip with respect to the potential downsizing exercise by the company. In this
context, it will be difficult to be sure with regards to downsizing, and if this is so, who will
then be among the ones to be saved or not. It is quite clear that the burden is on me since I am
not the sole breadwinner of my family, which is exceptionally more burdensome after the
demise of my wife. This is because I am now solely responsible for so far as my family’s
provisions are concerned being rested on my shoulders.

For this reason, such recent gossip has effectively impacted my emotion and ability to put on
my concentration while working at the office; prompting me the need of developing the
necessary critical analysis for facilitating me to find the best possible solution.

In order to ensure that I focus on the problem, I will then need to diagnose the circumstance.
The most significant problem is about the demise of my wife as she was also helping out with
my family’s livelihood provisions too. Without a doubt, I am experiencing a significant
amount of stress in my life due to the existing insecurity in connection to my job couple with
the crippling depression of losing my wife. Further to this, due to the potential risk of losing
my job in the near future is too great of an impact for me which is particularly so, especially
having three young children without a mother, not to mention our financial provisions at the
same time.

Application related the model

In so far as the determination of the root cause of my existing problem is concerned, it is

really about the erring on the insecurity of losing my job as such matter can be perceived to
be a calculated risk. This would mean that losing my job can be expected by me and
therefore, am able to prepare for it accordingly. This is different compared to losing my wife,
which is impossible to calculate such risk.

Therefore, I will need to make provision for alternative solutions before making my
evaluation to decide the best solution. Thus, the best possible solutions to be considered may
include the following factors:

- Put in the necessary extra work at my current position for the purpose of ensuring that I
am saved should any lay-off were to take place.

- Always be on the look-out for any relevant vacancy being made available at other
company so that I may be able to apply for that position straight away.

- Discuss with the relevant manager in the company that I am currently attached to in
connection to the company’s present situation.

And so, in connection to the aforementioned alternative solutions, it would be best to be

looking for a new job with the hope that I am able to secure one soon. Nevertheless, I will
need to appreciate and acknowledge the fact it will not cause any harm when I changed job
particularly when the job does provide better salary and benefit to me, which is particularly
important to me now since I am the sole breadwinner in my since the demise of my wife.

With this in mind, I thought that such an effort of seeking out another job would indefinitely
be of great help for me with respect to my mental health since I can have my attention
targeted on restoring back on my feet coupled with the attaining of a better job for the sake of
my family’s future.

Analysis – Accept or Reject the claims

There are numerous ways of judging for the purpose of accepting and rejecting a particular
claim. In the context of this scenario, my fellow colleagues have claimed that our company is
planning its downsizing and as a result of this, a number of its existing employees may need
to be laid off eventually.
Nevertheless, not all of my fellow colleagues are of the same view with regards to the
downsizing plan of our company, and therefore, some of them perceived such information as
just gossip. These fellow colleagues of mine did not believe that the company is in high debt
position presently as claimed by my other half number of fellow colleagues.

Due to the fact that such financial information is highly confidential and therefore, can only
be accessed by certain designated employees, such information cannot be objectively
confirmed. Further to this, despite the fact that there is a strong case for the downsizing
initiative to take place, it is nevertheless, necessarily adequate for me to accept such a claim.
This is because, in so far as my current situation is concerned, I cannot take the risk that the
claim may turn out to be true. For this reason, I am going to accept that the claim is true and
prepare myself for the potential adverse eventuality, i.e. the downsizing of my company
taking place.

Elaboration on the Solution of the Problem

It is imperative to ensure that the numerous alternative solutions are being generated first just
before any evaluation and choice of the solution are being carried out. Unfortunately, there
are many instances that evaluation is being carried out for the alternatives as and when such
alternatives are being considered. As a result of this, there may be a high possibility of the 1st
acceptable solution being chosen, despite the probability that it is not the best possible fit for
the problem at hand. And so, should I be focusing on getting the results I want, I might just
miss the opportunity of having chosen the best alternative solution.

The approach will then be such that it will be considering the multiple alternatives and that
the chosen specific alternative will be able to resolve the problem that should not be causing
unanticipated issues later on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when one is faced with job insecurity, it is very likely to be affecting his or her
physical and mental health coupled with the increased burnout, job dissatisfaction, including
deteriorating work performance. Nevertheless, depending on the individual’s personality and
circumstance, job insecurity may cause the individual to work even harder as they may want
to seriously keep their jobs. Although there are many other strategies that could be utilized to
solve problems such as this, one can effectively be solving his or her problem via critical and
creative thinking, i.e. through the utilization of the concept of six steps problem solving by
Hayes (1981). Due to the need by many organizations to cut costs without compromising the
need to adapt to the changing market demand, many of such organizations would normally
opt for employment downsizing other than due to it having a significant build-up of debt.
Under the circumstance whereby the employees of any particular company are faced with
downsizing gossip, they may be facilitated in relation to their judgement as to whether to
accept or reject the claims made by their fellow colleagues relating to the downsizing gossip.
They can do so through the utilization of the six steps problem-solving concept by Hayes
(1981). This is done through the description of our thought process for the purpose of finding
the best possible solution for the existing problem at hand – the development of a number of
ideas so as to increase the chances of achieving the aforesaid purpose.

Reference

Transtutor, 2019. Relate the six-step conceptions of problem-solving by Hayes (1981) to

solve the problem. s.l.:s.n.

PART 2

Introduction

In Malaysia, just like those in other countries, girls of whom are married to older men are
usually at higher risk of being victimised by their spouse compared to when they are married
to someone of whom are of the same age with them. Young children girls have the tendency
of leading their life full of long-term abuse and trauma (Hin, 2017). This is to say that there is
a higher probability of child brides being more likely to be reported being beaten or
threatened by their spouses compared to adolescents being married later in their life.

There were numerous warnings being made out against the detrimental effects in the long-
term against child marriages by Malaysia’s NGOs, and as a matter of fact, their concern is a
broad one of which include that of the international bodies such as United Nations (Hin,
2017).
Further findings have also indicated that eighteen of the twenty countries in which have the
highest prevalence little children marriage, girls with little education are more likely to be
getting married early compared to girls having high school education (Hin, 2017). Further to
this, little children of whom are married have the tendency of dropping out of school,
discounting themselves of securing better jobs for themselves. This, in turn, resulted in them
to have a lower standard of living due to the fact that they lack better education.

Application of decision-making strategy

The identification of the problem could be defined as the minimum legal marriage age for
men and women Muslims, whereby the earlier will be 18 and the latter will be 16 years of
age. This is not the case for the non-Muslims whereby their minimum legal marriage age is
18 for both men and women (Humanium, 2020).

And so, under the definition of child marriage, it will mean the child is married at the age
below the minimum legal age, which is only possible upon obtaining the necessary approval.
In the case of Muslims, approval will need to be obtained from the Shariah court judge
(Humanium, 2020). As for the non-Muslims, an approval will be needed from the Menteri
Besar or also known as the Chief Minister.

In so far as the Law Reform is concerned, such as the Marriage and Divorce, there is the
stipulation that marriage below the age of 16 years for non-Muslims should never be legally
approved. And, from this fact, it is crucial to note that Muslims are vitally exempted in
connection to this Act – giving rise to there being no actual minimum age for Muslims, the
root cause of the problem in the context of child marriage here in Malaysia (Humanium,
2020).

Among the alternative solutions made available for the purpose of reforming the mechanism
in connection to the child marriage, provisions should be made in relation to the child’s
medical report and an evaluation by the child’s psychologist coupled with the social advocate
opinion, all of which must be presented to the Shariah court judge and the Menteri Besar or
the Chief Minister (UNICEF, 2017). Further to this, there should also be the lengthening of
the time duration before granting the approval, which should particularly be applied in a
situation where the girl has not yet conceive a child. Moreover, there must be a single one-on-
one communication with the child concerned by the judge or the Menteri Besar of which
must be made mandatory as one of the requirements (Humanium, 2020).

Evaluation on the Solution

Nevertheless, it would be necessary that the variety of state religious councils to be

convening for the purpose of discussing on matters in connection to the possible rise of the
minimum age of marriage (UNICEF, 2017). Consideration may also include the need for
training in connection to gender sensitisation for both the judges and Menteri Besar or the
Chief Minister, including those of whom are their advisors. However, in order to mitigate any
potential misunderstanding including that of the potential resistance, it may be more
appropriate to have both formal and informal sessions for the purpose of discussing the
suggested reforms coupled with the objectives between the different stakeholders.

It may also be an effective approach to have an early intervention coupled with the necessary
child protection education as such an approach may significantly pre-empt including the
reduction of the statutory rape and teenage pregnancy which consequently led to the child
marriage taking place. This is to say that there will need to have the necessary programme to
be initiated for the purpose of enhancing the general attitudes towards women coupled with
the likelihood of invention success with regards to this matter (UNICEF, 2017).

There will thus the essential provision of the dual-gender violence prevention curriculum
such that girls will be taught on areas of identifying and rejecting any sexual advances
including the basic martial arts for the purpose of fending off her attackers. As for the boys,
they will be learning the debunking myths being perpetuated by the existence of rape
cultures, and intervening in the event that girls within their surroundings are in a threatening
situation of becoming sexual victims (UNICEF, 2017). Apart from this, children should be
provided with the necessary education in connection to their awareness of any available
assistance and resources such as, who can they contact including how should they be dealing
when under the circumstance of being abused. Such mandatory training in schools or even in
colleges and universities may also include information that it is a criminal offence should one
has sex with minors.

Conclusion

Despite the existence of law for reasons of religious belief and also as a solution to pre-
marital sex, it is without a doubt that the cost-benefit analysis may have been severely
understated with respect to the true cost in relation to the child marriage coupled with the
related long-term consequences. For instance, there are numerous instances whereby the child
marriage ended not long later, leaving the victims suffering from abuses by their in-laws
including resentment by their husbands of whom may have been reluctantly got married as a
result of family pressure or even for the purpose of escaping rape charges. And, in many of
these cases, the young girl is usually left with an infant after a divorce. Consequently, broader
effects as a result of child marriage are usually not given adequate consideration.

Self-Reflection
When thinking about the issue of child marriage which has been evolving significantly past
recent decade coupled with the global awareness, I came to realize that much development
has been developed in so far as the community solutions are concerned. Take, for instance,
the most recent Girls Not Brides (GNB) worldwide meeting which was held in Kuala Lumpur
in June.

Upon reflecting on all that has been said and learned, including what was seen, a number of
observations stood out. These young girls were neither physically nor emotionally ever ready
for the role of wives and mothers. For these reasons, these girls are at higher risk of facing
pregnancy and childbirth complications coupled with the risk of being infected with
HIV/AIDS, not to mention the potential of suffering domestic violence. Further to this, these
young mothers are more likely to be living in poverty as they would usually be having little
access to education, thus economic opportunities.
Reference

Hin, O. K., 2017. Child Marriages in Malaysia: Reality, Resistance and Recourse. s.l.:s.n.
Humanium, 2020. Children of Malaysia. s.l.:s.n.
UNICEF, 2017. Issues affecting children in Malaysia. s.l.:s.n.