Ethical Dilemma
Jane, a petite just-turned-3-year-old is new in Kristen’s class. Her father brings her to school each day at breakfast time.
As required by licensing and the USDA food program, the school serves milk each day at breakfast and lunch. Like a number of children in her class, Jane refuses milk and drinks water instead. Kristen allows children to make this choice.
One day Jane’s father tells Kristen that he and his wife do not want her to allow Jane to drink water until she has drunk at least a full cup of milk. Kristen assures them that she will encourage Jane to drink her milk.
At the next meal, Kristen tells Jane that her family wants her to drink milk so she’ll be healthy and grow strong. Jane sobs uncontrollably. Kristen comforts her and allows her to drink water. She tells Jane she will talk to Jane’s father about letting her drink water. Jane’s eyes grow wide and she sobs even harder, saying, “Don’t tell Daddy! Don’t tell Daddy!”
Questions:
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What do you think a good early childhood educator should do?
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Should Kristen honor the wishes of the family or allow Jane to continue to drink water instead of milk?
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How could Kristen use the NAEYC Code to guide her thinking and decision making in this situation?
Criteria:
| Criteria | Exceptional (10/5/15 pts) | Meets Expectations (7/3/11 pts) | Needs Improvement (5/1/8 pts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description of the Dilemma | There is a detailed description of the dilemma with specific indications of the individuals (parents, child, colleagues, the community affected by the dilemma). | There is a description of the dilemma with some indication of the individuals (parents, child, colleagues, the community affected by the dilemma), although the description lacks specificity. | The description of the dilemma lacks details and specificity. |
| NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Principle | The Ideal(s) and Principle(s) related to the dilemma are presented in full and are appropriate for addressing the dilemma. | The Ideal(s) and Principle(s) may/may not be related to the dilemma. The Ideal(s) and Principle(s) are not presented in full. | The Ideal(s) or Principle(s) do not address the dilemma. There are no Ideal(s) or Principle(s) presented. |
| Ethical Response | The constituent to whom the response is needed is accurately identified and justified. (e.g., child, family, colleagues, community). | The constituent to whom the response is needed is identified (e.g., child, family, colleagues, community). The justification is lacking specific details for the justification. | There is no constituent identified or the constituent identified is inaccurate with no explanation for the identification of the rationale for the constituent identified. |
| Best Solution Based on the Principle | The Ideal(s) and Principle(s) presented are appropriate for the dilemma and are fully supported with a clear and succinct explanation. | The Ideal(s) and Principle(s) presented only tangentially address the dilemma. The explanation may lack details. | The Ideal(s) and Principle(s) presented are not related to the dilemma. |
| Writing Mechanics | Few/no mechanical errors. Few/no grammar errors. Unity of whole, well-developed paragraphs with topic sentences, good transitions, well-written introduction, conclusion, and required sections with good use of headings. | Some minor mechanical errors. Some minor grammatical errors. Some paragraphs may lack the development and transitions present in an “A” paper. Introduction, conclusion, and required sections are present. | Many major mechanical errors. Many major grammatical errors. Paper is very disorganized with few or no transitions, paragraphs lack adequate development, no headings, the reader has difficulty understanding paper due to lack of organization. |
The answer
Description of the Dilemma
Jane, a
three-year-old girl who recently joined Christine's class, refuses to drink
milk and prefers water. Before she may drink water, her parents insist that she
consume a full glass of milk. When Christine tells her, Jane cries loudly and
pleads, "Don't tell Daddy!" Christine is in a dilemma: should she
comply with her parents' wishes or respect Jane's feelings by drinking water
instead of milk?
Stakeholders involved:
- Jane (the child)
- Kristen (the educator)
- Jane's parents
- The classroom
environment/community
Recognition of the Ethical Issue
It is clear that this circumstance
raises ethical questions:
- Respect for children's
independence and mental health
- participation and values of the
family
- Requirements for institutional and
legal food programs (USDA)
- The professional obligation of
educators
A dilemma or ethical responsibility?
This is more than simply a mere duty;
it is an ethical conundrum. Kristen is forced to decide between:
- Assisting Jane with her
self-expression and psychological ease
- Enforcing the family's directive,
which could erode the child's confidence
An explanation of the dilemma
Kristen must choose between
supporting Jane's autonomy and emotional condition by letting her pick water
without coercion or honoring the parents' insistence that Jane drink milk
before water.
Conflicting Responsibilities
- Respecting Jane's food choices and
ensuring her emotional safety are important to the child.
- Respecting the family's
nutritional beliefs and acknowledging them
- Respecting USDA regulations and
license requirements
Possible Resolutions
- Give Jane permission to drink
water without putting any pressure on her, and record her dietary intake using
substitutes (such as cheese or yogurt).
- Explain the child's emotional
response to the parents in a polite manner and provide a cooperative solution.
- Give the family information or
resources for responsive feeding and kid autonomy.
- If necessary, ask a supervisor or
counselor for assistance in mediating the conversation with the family.
Ethical Nuances and Considerations
- Power relationships between
children and adults
- possible stress or terror if the
youngster feels emotionally threatened or pressured
- Long-term effects on the child's
faith in the teacher
- the significance of forming
alliances with families without sacrificing child-centered methods
Guidelines for the NAEYC Code
The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct
states that Kristen ought to:
- Section I – Responsibilities to
Children: Support children’s development, health, and wellbeing (Ideal I-1.5).
- Section II – Responsibilities to
Families: Develop mutual trust with families (Ideal II-1.2), and respect family
culture while advocating for the child (Principle 2.2).
- Section III – Responsibilities to
Colleagues and the Community: Seek counsel and share decisions if ethical
tension arises (Ideal III-2.3).
Suggested Ethical Behavior
Kristen’s primary obligation is to
Jane’s wellbeing. Based on the NAEYC Code, Kristen should:
- Allow Jane to drink water
- Refrain from forcing or pressuring
Jane to drink milk
- Communicate respectfully with
Jane’s parents, explaining her ethical duty and Jane’s distress
- Offer alternatives and a
partnership approach
Conclusion
Kristen must serve as a sympathetic
advocate for Jane while also communicating with the family in an open and
nonjudgmental manner in order to fulfill her responsibilities. The NAEYC Code
gives teachers the authority to settle these disputes amicably while always
considering the best interests of the child.