A babysitter keeping a child's secret: a medical school interview question
- Kind
- Ethical dilemma
Prompt
You babysit a 9-year-old girl and her 6-year-old brother every Tuesday evening. Tonight the girl whispers that her parents are separating, that they have told only her so far, and she makes you promise not to tell her brother. An hour later, the brother asks you why his dad has started sleeping on the couch. What would you say to him?
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How to approach this question
What this question tests
- Communication
- Empathy and compassion
- Ethical reasoning
How to approach it
This panel interview question tests whether you can answer a young child honestly and kindly without breaking a promise to his sister or delivering family news that belongs to his parents. Recognize that the news isn't yours to share, and that a 6-year-old needs reassurance more than information. Think about how to acknowledge his question without lying, such as telling him it's a good question for his parents while making sure he feels heard and safe. Consider how you'd support his 9-year-old sister, who is carrying a heavy secret alone. Decide what you'd tell the parents afterward, so they know both children are asking questions. Use words a 6-year-old would understand, because the interviewer will judge how you'd actually sound.
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