CEEPS On-Line Activity Database

Value Judgements

Description

A story that inspires discusions of comparative values.

Instructions

The following story is read to the group:

"Chris is in love with Taylor, and they are in a committed relationship.  Taylor is away on an island.  Chris misses Taylor very much and wants to go to the island, but the only way to get there is on a boat owned by Ashley.  Ashley agrees to take Chris to the island, but at a price: Chris must first sleep with Ashley.  Chris agrees, and after the sex, Ashley takes Chris to the island.  However, Taylor, upon hearing the story, is so upset that Taylor refuses to see or talk to Chris in any way - the relationship is declared over.  Chris, devastated, goes to a bar, meets Terry, and relates the whole sequence of events.  The news is very upsetting to Terry, who immediately leaves to find Taylor, and ends up beating up Taylor.  Chris, meanwhile, has turned to Kim, a long-time friend, for support.  Once all of the details are shared, Kim decides that Chris's behaviour was wrong, and Kim gossips to everyone about the affair, making Chris the talk of the town."

After the story, a question is posed for the group to answer: "There are five characters.  Who acted worse?"

Facilitator Notes

The idea is that the ensuing discussion will help the individuals of the group clarify the values that they hold most dear, and how other group members can hold differing viewpoints.  For instance, some may see Ashley as taking advantage of a vulnerable Chris - others might see Ashley as a capitalist who does not pressure Chris but simply names a price.

Note that the story is intentionally ambiguous about gender.  It is interesting to see how the listeners assigned genders in their mind, and more importantly, how those genders might affect the value judgements that they make.

http://ceeps.ca/activities/ValueJudgements.htm