Short answer essay of questions

In the presented worksheet scenario, the decision of consideration is whether or not to check the sex of the child. Given that the country has imposed the one-child policy, this decision is of utmost importance to the young couple. Since the couple is only allowed to have one child, it seems that checking the sex would put them under a certain amount of pressure. For one, most of the families prefer male children, and if the child is a female, Fang Yin may be put under the weight of terminating the pregnancy by Chang’s family.

Stakeholders

It is upon the couple to decide whether to determine the sex of the child or not though Fang Yin carries the more onerous burden because she does not care about the sex of the child so long as the child is completely healthy. Chang, on the other hand, may be more interested in knowing the sex of the child since he and his family want a male child. In case the child is a female, he may, in turn, pressure his wife to terminate the pregnancy as most families in China and in a bid to please his family. Chang’s family will also significantly influence the decision on whether or not to determine the sex of the child. Since they have already shown their interest in getting a boy to carry on the family name, they are most likely going to push for the sex check. In case the child is female, they have even offered to cater for the costs that will be incurred in the process of terminating the pregnancy.

Alternatives in Choice

In this scenario, there only seems to be two viable choices. Chang and Yin May can determine the sex of the child. In this case, the couple can then decide to keep the child if it is a boy and terminate the child if it is a girl despite Yin May’s wish to keep the baby. This would seem to be the best alternative as Chang, and his family would be pleased and Yin May and Chang, being a young couple, could still get pregnant and conceive the much desired male child.

On the other hand, Yin May can decide not to take the sex determination test and keep the child no matter the outcome. This decision may however not be favorable as it would not please her husband as well as a family. It would seem that Yin May does not want Chang to carry on the family name by deciding to give birth to the child even if it’s a female.

Whitener (2017) argues that choices are usually determined by other events including human actions which are external to one’s will whereas decisions can be made in different circumstances no matter the outcome. I, therefore, believe that the final decision lie in the hands of Yin May has she carries the child in her womb. Despite the choices that have been presented to her by her husband and her husband’s family, she can decide to make herself happy and give birth to the child so long as it’s healthy.

Reference

Whitener, S. (2017). The Difference Between Making A Choice And A Decision. [online] Forbes.com. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/05/19/the-difference-between-making-a-choice-and-a-decision/#8c8ad2c4b7a3 [Accessed 1 Oct. 2018].