How Far Would You Go?
We used to have deep philosophical conversations in my high school Peer Leadership class. Sometimes, the teacher, Mr. Vaniman, would give a group of us a question to ponder and discuss. One of my favorites was, “How far would you be willing to go for a loved one?” Which meant, would you be willing to break the law, go against your morals or even turn against everyone you know to stand up for someone you love? It seems like an easy question, but there are so many situations in life that could possibly occur that the answers vary from one situation to the next.
So let me be more specific. Ask yourself these questions and then answer them in the comments section:
- Would you believe your child if he/she told you that your spouse or partner was molesting them? What if your spouse/partner emphatically denied it and it was their word against your child’s?
- Would you steal money in order to pay for your dying child’s life saving operation? What if you wouldn’t get caught?
- Would you kill a person who was trying to harm your child?
- Would you lie for your child if he/she committed a serious crime and you knew that they would go to jail for life, if you told the truth?
- Would you be willing to let a doctor try an experimental drug on your terminally ill child if the success rate was only a 50% chance and the treatment’s failure meant death? At what percentage would you change your mind?
Just some food for thought. While it is obvious that we would all give our lives for our kids in a heart beat, it is always interesting to ponder how extreme we would be willing to get, in order to preserve their well being, innocence, freedom and safety.
1. I would believe my child, but I would certainly seek all experts in the field I would have to in order to sort out the ordeal.
2. Absolutely – no question. If to save my child, I’d do anything I had to.
3. Wouldn’t kill them, but would sure make death look better than what I’d put them through.
4. No, I would not lie for my child who committed a crime. I would deliver them to own their wrongdoing.
5. I can’t answer that one. Depends on the situation. My older brother helped research along on a rare kidney disease and the drug eventually cost him his life. However, knowing he was a pioneer that helped save lives after him – it’s somewhat comforting.
1. I couldn’t even begin to imagine. But yes, I’d always listen to my child. No, I know who I married.
2. Yes, I’d steal it even if I would get caught. I’d use the spotlight to raise more money, I wouldn’t care.
3. Would you kill a person who was trying to harm your child? Yes, easily and without guilt or shame.
4. Would you lie for your child if he/she committed a serious crime and you knew that they would go to jail for life, if you told the truth? No. If the crime was that wretched I’d have already failed them a number of times.
5. Would you be willing to let a doctor try an experimental drug on your terminally ill child if the success rate was only a 50% chance and the treatment’s failure meant death? At what percentage would you change your mind? It depends who the doctor is and if we’d used up every other option.