1. A teenage girl’s understanding
In movies, there is always a Hero and a Villain, a definite
right and wrong. The Villain does something atrocious, and the
Hero comes in the nick of time to bring the Villain to justice.
What the movies don’t always show is that sometimes, there is no
definite right and wrong. Most of the time, everything lies in a
grey area. Something that is right to one may be totally
outrageous to another.
Is there ever any absolute right and absolute wrong? For
me, the answer is no. Everything has a motive. It may be as
noble as trying to satisfy everyone, as selfish as wanting
everything for yourself, or even as simple as being bored. There
is always reason behind action, and other people won’t always
approve of it.
Different people see different things. A prefect breaking up a fight will be seen as a responsible
act to some, yet it may also be understood as a flaunt of power to others. But what the prefect was
doing could simply be out of reflex, or a dislike of violence. There is no way to satisfy everyone at
the same time, because everyone is different.
What I hope to do through the scenarios below is to show some insight into what some people
might think. Through them, I convey this message: Do not judge people blindly. Think twice before
you act or speak, or you may regret it. There is always a reason why people do things. Some things
are impossible to understand unless you have been through the same situation. There are always two
sides to a story.
*Note that some images may be disturbing.
__________________________________________________________________________
What is your opinion on Right and Wrong?
What others say:
Anonymous, 15 (Unspecified) - Do the right things, don’t do
wrong things.
Steven, 16 (South Korea) - I would say it’s something that
everyone knows about, but don’t exactly know what it actually is.
Min Joon, 17 (South Korea) - It is something recognized by the
general society in terms of morality. However, right and wrong will not
be decided by the majority, but oneself.
Dave, 19 (Indonesia) - Moral principles that govern a person’s or
group’s behavior.
Anonymous, 16 (Taiwan) - Right is right and wrong is wrong.
If I think it's right then it's right. If I think it's wrong, then it's wrong.

2. Topic: Arranged Marriage
Scenario
Ini is an indian girl who happens to be in love with a servant in her house. They plan to get married
in the future. However, Ini, being the daughter of a noble, is getting an arranged marriage to
someone whom her parents deem worthy of her status. Getting into a huge fight with her parents
when reasoning with them failed, Ini decides to elope with her lover, Raman.
Ini: I love Raman. He loves me for who I am, not just for my money and position. He does not
want a single penny from my family and wants to support me with his own strength. My parents will
not listen to my pleas and I cannot betray my heart. Raman and I will run away to a distant city or
even country to start a life by ourselves. I know I might be selfish but I cannot let go of what we
have.
Raman: Ini is wonderful. I fell in love with her and fully intend to support her by myself. Why can’t
her parents just listen to what we have to say? But I cannot really blame them. They have spent all
their lives in that social group. They can trust nothing, especially not something as abstract as
feelings and love. The only things that are truly real to them are money and power. I don’t blame
them for not accepting me. I just take it as motivation to work even harder and, someday, return a
man they can accept as their son-in-law.
Mother: I was married off to Ini’s father at age 24. It was the best match available for my family at
the time. I had once loved a boy, but he was only after my money. I do not want to watch the same
thing happen to my daughter. Raman sounds wonderful coming from Ini, but the better they are to
you at first, the harder it will be when you find out what they truly want. And they always only want
one thing - Money.
Father: I have always worked hard to make more money for the family, to raise our social status
and to bring honor to the family. So far, I have done a good job of it. I cannot tolerate a lowly
servant to become the son-in-law of my family. Marrying Ini off into a suitable family of out status
is not only profitable for the family business, but will also be better for Ini. In a rich family she will
not have to work, she will never go hungry, she can have everything she needs. It will also bring her
honor and make life easier for her wherever she goes.
Arguments, For and Against on a wider view
as said via internet sources
For:
• Stability. Arranged marriages tend to be long lasting and stable as it is
based on a compromise.
• Don’t have to worry as much about looks.
• In times of financial crises or other problems, the couple could turn to
their parents for help.
• Since compromise and adjustments form the foundation of arranged
marriages, the married couple doesn’t have any preconceived notions
or much expectations about each other.
• The couple comes from a similar background, which means they are
more likely to share the same views on family and marriage.
• Parents usually try to find the best match for their child mentally as
well as financially. Even if there is no love, most couples will have at
least friendship.

3. Against:
• You get no choice.
• Sometimes, one party is dragged into the marriage and are
treated like slaves.
• Some women have been known to stay in an abusive
relationship for the sake of family pride.
• Arranged marriage is a way to promote racism and class
system.
• It’s a easy way to make money through dowry.
• The couple are strangers prior to the marriage. They do not
have a chance to know and understand each other before
entering the bridal chamber.
__________________________________________________________________________
What others say:
Anonymous, 15 (Unspecified) - Good or bad, depends on the situation.
Steven, 16 (South Korea) - It is the grave of one’s life.
Belle, 16 (US/China) - I totally disagree with it. People can’t be happy with someone they don’t want to be
with.
Dave, 19 (Indonesia) - Depends on the situation. If the person has trouble getting a girl, then an arranged
marriage might be a good option.
Anonymous, 16 (India) - Well, it depends on cultures.
Anonymous, 16 (Taiwan) - It’s fine if you get along, but you can’t be sure that the one you get isn’t the right
one for you.
Alex, 16 (Hong Kong) - Taking away the freedom of rights of
people.
Tina, 12 (China) - Sad, because you’ll be stuck with the person
you’re forced to marry for the rest of your life, and you wouldn’t be able
to choose to live your life with someone that you love.
Anonymous, 17 (Unspecified) - Since I personally think that
arranged marriages prevent individuals’ freedom, it’s not good when the
marriages is arranged regardless of the individuals’ right or opinion.
Mrs. Shrimpton, 50 (USA/England) - Often parents know
their children well and can see objectively whether a marriage partner
will be well suited or not. From my experience, many couples who have
had arranged marriages have grown to love each other and have had
happy marriages. Even if the marriage is not arranged, I think it is
wise to have both sets of parent's permission before getting married.

4. Topic: Abortion
Scenario
Marca and Tyler are a loving couple. One day, Marca finds out she got pregnant. Coming from a
rather strict and traditional family, Marca is terrified but wants to keep the baby. To make matters
worse, even Tyler is pressuring her to get an abortion. With her parents threatening to disown her
and constant persuasion from Tyler, Marca finally caves and gets an abortion.
Marca: I don’t want to murder an innocent baby for the mistakes that I made. It doesn’t know
anything, and doesn’t even have a chance to see the world before it dies. I know what they say about
fetuses not being true babies until around three months, but I believe that life starts from
conception. I don’t want to give up so easily, but I cannot handle the mental pressure. I would have
collapsed if I hadn’t given in. If there had been at least one person that is on my side, perhaps I
would have help out for longer. I regret my choice everyday. I know what they say about my future,
but I believe having a child would only have mad me that much more dedicated to my studies and
work.
Tyler: I know how much Marca loves her family, and I don’t want to see her cut off from them
completely. As for the baby, we can always have another. I fully intend to marry her in the future,
but we are too young and not responsible enough nor have the strength or means to take on an
extra life at the moment. I try to be there for Marca, but she probably hates me now. However, I
don’t regret it. Marca is a wonderful woman who has a bright future in front of her - she should not
be hindered by a baby.
Mother: Marca was always such a sweet child. I never would have thought that she would be
sexually active before marriage. Her pregnancy has come as a huge shock for me. What would our
relatives say if they find out? I cannot let a mere child be burdened with the huge strain of a baby.
Father: She is a disgrace to the family. Sex before marriage! How could she? I wouldn’t have been
this mad if they had at least known how to protect themselves. What would they, children barely
weaned themselves, know of taking care of a new life? They’re lucky I didn’t force them to breakup
with each other.
Arguments, For and Against on a wider view
as said via internet sources
For:
• For rape victims, they are usually unprepared, mentally and/or physically,
to take care of a baby.
• If abortion was made illegal, women would undergo “back alley”
abortions, which are highly unsafe.
• It’s better to have the fetus removed rather than brought up poor and
neglected.
• Some families already have children - having another child may be too
much for them to handle.
• Underage girls can carry on with their education.
Against:
• There is a risk of never being able to become pregnant ever again.
• Could lead up to serious health complications as serious as death.

5. • Often leads up to unwanted memories,
which could result in depression and
stress. Some women experience a feeling
of guilt, which lasts throughout lifetime.
• There are around 1.5 million families in
the United States alone who wants to
adopt a child.
• Some young women do not always fully
understand what they are doing or what
they may face later on.
• Many women who undergo abortion
experience premature birth later in their
lives.
__________________________________________________________________________
What others say:
Anonymous, 15 (Unspecified) - Abortion is killing, murder, genocide.
Steven, 16 (South Korea) - Disagree.
Belle, 16 (US/China) - There’s nothing wrong with abortion, but people need to be more careful.
Jaden, 13 (South Korea) - It must not happen.
Dave, 19 (Indonesia) - Bad, it’s murder.
Anonymous, 16 (India) - Immoral but action should be taken in cases of early age (teens).
Anonymous, 16 (Taiwan) - Ideally, you should be responsible for your child. However, if neither of the couple
wants it either because of economical or emotional problems, or if the fetus has a disease, then it would be best to kill
with without pain.
Alex, 16 (Hong Kong) - Population control. I support to legalize abortion, but I don't support abortion.
Anonymous, 17 (Unspecified) - I believe that abortion is considered bad
when it reached a certain extent where it is considered as homicide. Even thought
the embryos are not a complete human, if they have organs to react, abortion is not
a right thing to do.
Mrs. Shrimpton, 50 (USA/England) - I believe life is formed at the
moment of conception so abortion should be avoided at all cost. The only
exception would be if the mother's life was at risk due to the pregnancy.
Min Joon, 17 (South Korea) - When someone really needs to get abortion
due to financial circumstances and other reasons, then I think abortion can be
allowed, because if your economical status is poor, then the baby will suffer
greatly. But if you want abortion simply because you think raising child is a tried
job, then abortion should be banned.

6. Topic: Gay (Same Sex) Marriage
Scenario
Mark and Eric are both men, and they’re in love with each other. They met in a gay bar and hit it
off straight away. Mark had long since come out to his parents, but Eric had never dared. Now, he
comes out with Mark by his side. Eric’s parents are furious, but eventually accept the fact that their
son was with a man. After a few years of dating, they decide to get married. The only problem was,
they can’t. They live in a country where gay marriage is forbidden. All they can do is live together in
the same house and say to the others that they were merely good friends cohabiting. They cannot
show their happiness to the world and cannot get the benefits married couples do.
Mark: To me, we’re as good as married. The only difference is that we are not acknowledged by
much of society. I worry that Eric will not be able to handle the stress. Everywhere we go, if we
show the slightest bit of affection for each other, we are met with contempt. We cannot go out on
normal dates. All we can do is make up for it in our house. I wish we could go through the
ceremonies. Have a wedding. I feel bad for not being able to give him that.
Eric: I was scared when I found out about my sexual orientation at first. I’ve seen firsthand what
people do to homosexuals, and it isn’t pretty. There was a girl back in high school who committed
suicide after being abused and shunned by the school because of her sexuality. I didn’t want to be
like her. When I came out to my parents, I was extremely afraid. Afraid of what they would think,
what they would do. I suppose I’m one of the lucky ones. I have found my soulmate, and I have
parents who understand me. Meeting Mark was a stroke of extremely good luck, and I will never
regret my choice.
Eric’s Mother: To be honest, I was shocked. Never once in my life had I thought my son would
turn out to be gay. Given the choice, I would not want this for him. Even though I am genuinely
happy to see that Eric had found the love of his life, I worry if they will be able to stay strong and
not collapse from external assaults. It’s not easy to remain standing when the whole world’s against
you. All I can do now is to give them my support and shield them as best as I can, for no matter
what his preferences are, Eric is still my son. I can see that Mark is serious about this relationship as
well. Our children are grown up - who are we to mess around with their decisions?
Eric’s Father: I don’t understand their relationship, nor their feelings towards each other and I
daresay I never will. But seeing Eric, who had always done as we wished and never said a second
word stand up against us like that was enough. Seeing the pure happiness emitting from him was
enough. I understand that my child has grown up and is old enough to make his own decisions. No
matter what other people may think of this taboo relationship, as long as he is my son, I will stand
by him and shield him until he is ready to fully emerge from the shelter of home.
Arguments, For and Against on a wider view
as said via internet sources
For:
• Marriage benefits (e.g. joint ownership, medical decision
making) should be available to all couples.
• Denying the marriages is a form of minority
discrimination.
• It doesn’t hurt anyone in particular, so why should it
matter?
• The only thing that should matter in marriage is love.

7. • Number of child adoptions should increase.
• Encourages strong family values.
Against:
• Most religions consider homosexuality a sin.
• It would weaken the definition for the institution of
marriage.
• It could provide a slippery slope leading to multiple
wives, or marrying an animal.
• It would confuse children about gender roles and the
expectations of society.
• Gay lifestyle leads to lower life expectancy,
psychological disorders and other problems.
__________________________________________________________________________
What others say:
Anonymous, 15 (Unspecified) - Don’t get married not matter what. It’s a trap I say, a trap.
Steven, 16 (South Korea) - I don’t really mind, but if I were to say yes or no, then I would say no because
humans were divided into male and female for a reason.
Belle, 16 (US/China) - I don’t support it but I don’t look down on homosexual people. It’s just love.
Jaden, 13 (South Korea) - Bad, really bad.
Dave, 19 (Indonesia) - Hmm, not sure. Neutral, though I don’t mind it.
Anonymous, 16 (India) - Should be allowed.
Anonymous, 16 (Taiwan) - I wish them
happiness. But I don’t really have a specific opinion,
because it’s not really a part of my life.
Alex, 16 (Hong Kong) - Against human
nature, shouldn't be recognized as a legal marriage,
but shouldn't be an offense to laws.
Tina, 12 (China) - Disgusting, crazy and
weird. Why would someone marry another someone
of the same gender when there are tons of people
from the opposite gender to choose from?
Anonymous, 17 (Unspecified) - Since
I'm Christian, I'm learned o deny gay marriage.
Hence, I can't agree to gay marriage no matter how
gay's rights is important.

8. Topic: Assisted Suicide
Scenario
Laura was diagnosed with ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) at the age of fourteen. Since then, her
condition has worsened so that she could not even get down from her bed, nor come in contact with
strong lights or loud noises. She is now 31 years old - having spent 17 years confined to her bed,
Laura has had enough of it - she wants to die. But she can’t do it without her parents’ help. Laura
talks it over with her parents, and eventually, they agree. Laura’s mother, Katie, gave her an
overdose of drugs. Laura passed away hours later, at the age of 31.
*Based on the Kay Gilderdale case; names were altered.
Laura: I don’t want to continue this miserable excuse for a life anymore. I cannot even tend to my
most basic needs. My mother even has to wipe my bum after I’m done with the bedpan. A sneeze or
cough could end up breaking one of my bones. I have discussed the matter with my parents. It hurts
me to be leaving them like this, but I can’t do this any longer. Even if that slim chance of me getting
better does happen, I would never become a mother. And that is my all time favorite wish. I am a
burden to my parents. It’s time I let go.
Katie: Given a choice, I would not give up on my daughter’s life. Never for a second had I ever
regretted taking care of her. I had always loved her, and that hasn’t changed. I understand what
she’a going through, and I respect her choice. 17 years is a long time. Having held on for as long as
Laura has, I’m filled with pride and pain. Now that she wants to put an end to her suffering, I see it
as a mother’s responsibility to see her daughter through to the end. I believe she will have the life
she’s always wanted and as many kids as she wants in Heaven.
Arguments, For and Against on a wider view
as said via internet sources
For:
• People should be able to control their own lives.
• Death is a compassionate way to relieve unbearable suffering.
• If suicide has been legal since 1961, then helping someone
who wants to die in a peaceful, painless way should also be
legal.
• People should be able to die with dignity.
• Nurse and doctor time can be freed up to work on savable
patients.
• It allows the person to say his/her final goodbye to loved
ones.
• Vital organs would be able to be saved, allowing other lives to
be saved.
• The person may commit suicide in a messy and traumatic way
otherwise.
Against:
• Taking a life under any circumstance is immoral.
• Doctors can be wrong about estimating how much time a
patient has left to live, thus causing unnecessary deaths.
• A recent study in Oregon showed that one out of six people
who took their lives with assisted suicide were suffering from
depression.

9. • As the advances in medicine continue, diseases and disabilities once considered untreatable may
have a cure.
• Some may be tempted, for the sake of easing their families’ burden.
• Legalizing risks turning it into a lifestyle choice.
• Many religions prohibit suicide and the intentional killing of others.
__________________________________________________________________________
What others say:
Anonymous, 15 (Unspecified) - Bad, not nice. Life is a gift from God.
Belle, 16 (US/China) - That’s a sad thing.
Jaden, 13 (South Korea) - There must be a law that we can’t commit suicide.
Dave, 19 (Indonesia) - It’s wrong.
Anonymous, 16 (India) - Depends.
Anonymous, 16 (Taiwan) - It’s murder. As long as you kill someone, no matter what the reason is, it’s
murder.
Alex, 16 (Hong Kong) - Only under the permission of he subject and his/her direct relatives within three
generations.
Tina, 12 (China) - Stupid. I think you should live your life all the way till the "end". Otherwise, you'd be
wasting it.
Anonymous, 17 (Unspecified) - Being Christian, I'm not allowed to assist any suicide. Hence, I cannot
agree with the assisted suicide.
______________________________________________
*Note that all pros and cons were taken from
different websites.
*Pictures were also taken off the internet.
*The people who commented were aware and
had a choice of whether they wanted their
information to be disclosed.
*All scenarios and the inner thoughts of the
people in them are only a possibility of what
may be going on and should not be substituted
into every situation.
*Read with an open mind; Remember, don’t
prejudice or judge too quickly.