Situational Ethics Raises Its Ugly Head Again

Last night my daughter was watching a program called "Made" where a high school student is made over from how they are into how they want to be.

This particular girl wanted to be pretty and popular and have the dream prom date and all that.

Making her "pretty" wasn't that hard because she had the basic genetics. A boost of self confidence also boosted her popularity.

But the prom date. Sigh.

As her self confidence grew, she talked to more and more other students, including one particular boy, who asked her to the dance. She accepted.

Then along came another boy.

To make a long story shorter, she wanted to go with Boy #2, even though she had already accepted the date with Boy #1.

Her "coach" (supplied by the TV show) encouraged her to take chances. Ask Boy #2. Go ahead and break her date with Boy #1 Her new friends did the same.

So she did. She asked Boy #2 to the prom. And he accepted.

Here is where is gets really ugly. The show gave the impression that because she called Boy #1 and apologized, it was OK to do what she did. No one ever mentioned that she was breaking her word and should never be trusted again. No one ever mentioned that Boy #1 had probably already spend megabucks on clothes and reservations and all that. No one ever mentioned how hurt his feelings must have been. The show never gave his side of it. It was all about her and her dream date with Boy#2, and it didn't matter how much grief she caused to get her own way.

I don't know how she was before the show, but during the show, she was fickle , unreliable and untrustworthy. I sure as heck wouldn't want her as a friend. Nor would I ever want to depend on her for anything, because she has already demonstrated that she would dump a committment for something she thought was better.

Unfortunately too many people don't see anything wrong with this. No wonder people don't trust other people anymore.

Just because she said she was sorry does NOT make it OK.

Shame on her and shame on MTV.