Prompt
You live in an apartment building, and you have gotten to know the family next door. Their son, Sam, is 9 years old. For the past two months, he has come home from school alone at 3:30 and stayed by himself until his father returns from work around 7:30. Last week Sam got locked out and waited in your hallway for an hour until you found him. His father, a single parent who works two jobs, thanked you and explained that he cannot afford after-school care and has no family nearby. He asked you not to report the situation to anyone, because he is afraid of losing custody. There is no law in your area that sets a minimum age for staying home alone. Sam has asked if he can knock on your door whenever he needs something. What would you do?
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After you practice: what this question tests and how to approach it
What this question tests
- Ethical reasoning
- Empathy and compassion
- Critical thinking
How to approach this question
This MMI station tests how you balance a child's safety against a struggling parent's request and your limited role as a neighbor. Name everyone involved: Sam, who is 9 and alone for four hours, his father, who is doing his best with few options, and you. Note aloud that no law is being broken, and ask what supports exist, such as community programs or other neighbors who could share the load. Weigh offering help yourself, connecting the father with resources, and contacting authorities, and be clear about what would make you escalate. When the station adds an incident that raises the stakes, reassess the risk to Sam honestly and explain whether your duty to him now outweighs your promise to his father.
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