Morality in TV

1. Morality in TV By Abigail Gannon

2. Contents • The Moral Issue • Why did this issue come about ? • What was the reaction of characters to this issue ? • How was the issue concluded by the character ? • A link to show the issue. • The morality of this conclusion. • Questions

3. The Moral Issue The moral issue of Abortion is raised in ‘Greys anatomy’

4. How did this issue come about ? Christina Yang a devote surgeon in the hospital ‘Greys anatomy’ is set in. Her life revolves around her desire to be a world class surgeon and swears nothing will stop this. Not even having a family. She recently marries Owen Hunt also a surgeon. He however has always wanted a family . Soon after marrying she falls pregnant. She immediately thinks of abortion. She is adamant she would be a bad mother and does not have time for children. Owen however finds out she is pregnant and pleads with her to keep the baby. He even stops talking to her over the abortion issue. He wants a family with her. She must decide if she wants the baby and family with Owen or an abortion and a career.

5. Character Reactions • Owen who is Christina’s husband pleads with Christina. He becomes annoyed as he sees the point of being married is to have a family. He wants a child . • Meredith Christina’s best friend, does not have anything agaisnt abortion She supports her whatever her decision is. She comforts her through her decision. Overall the topic of abortion is not shown as something negative in the programme. However it is not promoted or neither completely dismissed

6. Issue Conclusion In the end Christina decides to proceed and have an abortion. Owen is by her side during the abortion and afterwards. Owen comes around to being supportive and accepting what Christina wants. Christina in the end thought she would not be a good mother and did not want to raise a child who would come second to her career. She chose not to bring a child into her life as she knew it would not come first. Owen accepted her and her decision.

7. Here is a clip from the episode of ‘Greys anatomy’ where Christina and Owen discuss abortion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDct_rs3Lhw&feature=related

8. Is this Conclusion Moral, Amoral Or Immoral ? Whether this decision is moral , amoral or immoral it is to your own opinion. This decision could be amoral as Christina yes it choosing to not have a family. She is however choosing not to have a family because she knows she will not care for it. She knows that if she has this baby it will always come second. She does not want the child to suffer or ever come second. It would be better in her opinion not to bring this upon a child who may not be entirely loved which could be moral.

9. Is this Conclusion Moral , Amoral or Immoral? This decision could be deemed amoral. This is because Christina is choosing not to have a baby. She is choosing to have an abortion and not have this child. Even though she is married to Owen she does not want a family Which would lead to the questions why marry then ? SHE IS ALSO GOING AGAISNT WHAT Owen wants . Which is a FAMILY . She did not change her mind for Owen. Which could be selfish and therefore amoral.

10. Is this Conclusion moral, amoral or Immoral ? This conclusion could be immoral as Christina is not having the baby. Some people could see the baby as a blessing from God but she is going agaisnt Gods wishes and not having the child. Others could say that if she did not want the child she could give it up for adoption. She is choosing not to have a baby and not to allow Gods blessing.

11. Questions • Do you think Christina should have married if she did not want a family and Owen did ? • Do you think she should have had the child because Owen wanted a family ? • Do you think Owen is admirable because he accepts Christina and still loves her ? • Do you think her decision is an amoral, immoral or moral one ?