Seminar 3 - Ethical issues - case discussion

Read the following 3 cases and discuss your positions.

Case 1 - Go to school or not

A young boy, Tom, aged 13 studying at Form 2 has stopped going to school for a month. He could not catch up with what was taught in class. His academic standard was probably not higher than Primary 4. He was considered to be a troublemaker in class. The school social worker, Jenny, had talked to the teachers who were all very happy that Tom had stopped coming to school. They said that without Tom, they would be able to concentrate more on teaching instead of disciplining the students.

Tom's parents would like Tom to go back to school. But they would not make any special efforts to do so. Tom threatened both his parents and the social worker that if they forced him to go to school, he would run away from home. However, if the parents do not send Tom back to school, they would be violating the law.

Case 2 - Censorship and youth centre

A newsletter for members in a youth centre was published by an editorial committee comprised of youth members. The committee used to work autonomously. Once a youth member wrote an article express discontent with the service provided by the agency, and the article was published in the newsletter. The agency director, after reading the newsletter, was very angry and demanded that the Centre-in-charge to dissolve the editorial committee.

Case 3 - Susan and Peter

Susan is an 18 years old volunteer in a Children and Youth Centre. Peter is a social worker in the centre. They know each other in the centre and develop an intimate relationship. The centre-in-charge after knowing their relationship asks Peter to stop his relationship with Susan. What should Peter do?