Ethical Dilemma
September 27th, 2006 September 27th, 2006 Posted in Miscellaneous1 Comment
**** Below is a situation that happened in the real lives of middle school students in some school in the U.S. Read through the whole piece, then reflect and answer the questions at the end. Take your time on this — don’t just immediately react. There are no right or wrong answers — try to be clear in your answers and provide justifications for what your write.
Maria was worried about her good friend Pam. Pam was always talking about how fat she was and what she was trying to do about it. But the truth is that Pam was not at all fat. In fact, she was downright skinny. Since their freshmen year Pam had lost at least 15 pounds. Now, they were juniors and Maria was afraid that Pam had an eating disorder. Maria was also getting frustrated. Where were all the grown-ups? Who was watching out for Pam besides Maria and her friends?
Maria knew that someone from their school had talked to Pam’s parents last year, and that Pam’s mom had gotten angry about the school poking its nose into family business. Pam’s mom claimed that Pam had a dancer’s body and a high metabolism. That was last year. Now things were worse and Maria felt like she was literally watching her friend disappear.
Finally, one Monday afternoon Maria had had enough. As she watched Pam take three diet pills and eat four grapes for lunch she decided she had to do something. As helpless and scared as she felt now, how would it compare to how she would feel if Pam actually ended up in the hospital…or worse? Pam would be furious if she found out the Maria had talked to someone behind her back. So, Maria had two problems–should she tell someone how bad things were, and if so, whom should she go to?
- Do you agree with Maria? Do you think she should tell someone about Pam?
- If so, who do you think she should tell?
- What do you think Maria should say if Pam asks her if she told someone?
- Have you ever been in a position like this? What happened? Would you make the same choices if you were in that position again?
I think that she should tell someone about her concern. She should tell her quidence counculer or someone she trust. She should tell Pam. If Pam was a real friend, she would understand Maria’s concern of her friend. Pam could end up in the hospital or die from not eating enough! I don’t think that her mom should let her daughter not eat that much. It isn’t far. The mom and other people and other parents should get involved. Pam is suffering. I agree strongly with Maria about telling someone. Her friend could DIE!! I think that she should tell other people like students, family, friends, etc. so they can get involved. Pam’s mom could be arrested because this could be something like child neglect. I think that if Maria told someone and Pam asked her, she should tell the truth to her. If Pam was her friend, she would listen and take it into concederation. I used to think that I was fat. I am now 12 years old and weigh 96 pounds. I am so lucky that I had my friends to help me out. I would NEVER make the same choice again. I am happy with my weight, but maybe I should add more on to me. I am under the weight limit. Well, thats what my doctor said!
-Fawn
This is Bowling For Soup. They are my favorite band. You may know thier song 1985. Many of you sing it wrong. They are my band and you can’t take them. Sorry. I love them too much! ♥♥