Beth's Case: The Case Of Incest

The Facts Beth, a fifteen-year-old girl, became pregnant after having sex with her brother, who is eighteen. She submitted to his advances after he threatened to reveal a secret. He claimed that the intercourse was consensual. Beth and her mother agreed to have an abortion performed. Afterwards, the doctor categorized the case as child abuse, which must be reported to the state government. Beth’s mother protested, citing a high likelihood of the story spreading through their small town at a detriment to Beth and her family. Beth’s mother called the incident a case of incest, which the hospital has failed to report in the past.
Defining the Problem This case presents two ethical dilemmas. First, respecting human agency in participating in nonviolent …show more content…
It is supported by Aristotelian, Kantian, and Bonhoefferian ethics. Utilitarianism provides less support, but it can be argued that the avoidance of the pain of a further incident of abuse outweighs any potential for public humiliation for Beth’s family. Most importantly, this is the most selfless course of action, which supports its alignment with the will of God. It is important to note that Beth’s brother, the aggressor, provides the argument for incest as opposed to abuse. His interests are clearly self-centered, as doing so would provide the most benefit for him. Further it is not Beth but her mother who suggests keeping the situation private. Beth’s mother is also acting in her own self-interest to preserve the family’s image in their small town. She assumes that Beth desires the same, but the only information we have from Beth is that she was raped by her older brother. Considering the lifelong consequences of such a violation, the hospital must prioritize Beth’s future safety and sense of being protected. Involving the Department of Family and Children’s Services is the best way to do