Dilemma scenarios

Here you can find some dilemma scenarios that may be good for students to try. It's ideal to divide the students into small groups, and each group gets a story to discuss and suggest solutions for. At the end, one from each group reads the group's story and proposed solution, along with any difficulties that complicate the solution if applicable. The teacher then invites others in the class to comment or add to the solution.

  • A teacher can also add reflections and perspectives on the case to prompt students to think more broadly and deeply about the situation associated with each scenario.
  • Another approach could be that all small groups receive the same scenario to solve, and then one member from each group reads their group’s proposal. Then all proposals are discussed collectively to find the best solution.

Dilemma scenario 1

A 15-year-old boy is attracted to another boy at his school. They have been in the same class for a long time but don't know each other well. They have exchanged glances and smiles, and he believes the attraction is mutual, but he is not completely sure. What should he do?

Dilemma scenario 2

A 14-year-old girl has relatively large breasts compared to her peers and her body weight (she is quite thin). She receives undue attention and regular comments from her classmates about her breasts. Several boys in the school constantly ask her for pictures of her breasts, and some girls in the class criticize her for wearing tight clothes and whisper behind her back that she is a 'slut' constantly seeking attention. What can she do?

Dilemma scenario 3

A 12-year-old boy is at a friend's house after school with other boys, and one of them turns on pornography on the computer. He feels uncomfortable and does not want to watch it, but the other boys all seem excited about it and talk as if they often watch pornography and that it's something all boys do. He does not agree with them but does not want to be the only one who does not want to watch. He is unsure whether he should say something or what he could say. What do you think he should do?

Dilemma scenario 4

Two 16-year-old girls meet on Smitten and decide to get together at one of their homes to watch Netflix in her room. They cuddle together and then start kissing and caressing each other outside of their clothes. One of the girls feels like going further and begins to undress the other girl, but then senses that she is somewhat resistant, though she continues to kiss and caress. The former is not sure if they want the same thing and is uncertain whether to proceed or stop. How can she know what the other girl wants or doesn't want? What should she say or do?

Dilemma scenario 5

A 15-year-old boy shows a friend a photo album he has on his phone. There are many photos of girls, both acquaintances and strangers. There are face pictures as well as many of naked bodies, or even just of breasts, buttocks, and vaginas. The friend says he has been collecting these for a while and offers to exchange photos if the other has any pictures to share as well. The boy knows that it is wrong to show and share such images of others but is unsure what to say or do. He fears antagonizing his friend if he says something but wonders what he could say or do.

Dilemma scenario 6

A 12-year-old girl tells her friends that she has a friend on Snapchat who gives her ISK 5,000 each time she sends him a picture of herself in underwear, and he's willing to pay her ISK 15,000 if she sends a video. He has also asked her to meet him at Kringlan because he wants to give her some beautiful gift. She's really excited about this but tells the girls it's a secret and they must not tell anyone. What can they do?

Dilemma scenario 7

A 15-year-old girl tells her friends that she and her boyfriend have started having sex. But she also tells them that he often pressures her to do things she doesn't want to do. She finds it hard to say no because she fears she won't be a good girlfriend, so she tries to give no answer or change the subject when he asks her for something. He doesn't pay attention to her reluctance and keeps pressuring until she agrees or just does what he wants. The girl asks her friends not to tell anyone because she doesn't want it to get out, but she admits to them that she feels very uncomfortable about the situation. She wants to be with him but is always anxious about this sexual aspect. What can be done?

Dilemma scenario 8

A 15-year-old girl tells her friends that she and her boyfriend have started having sex. But she also tells them that he often pressures her to do things she doesn't want to do. She finds it hard to say no because she fears she won't be a good girlfriend, so she tries to give no answer or change the subject when he asks her for something. He doesn't pay attention to her reluctance and keeps pressuring until she agrees or just does what he wants. The girl asks her friends not to tell anyone because she doesn't want it to get out, but she admits to them that she feels very uncomfortable about the situation. She wants to be with him but is always anxious about this sexual aspect. What can be done?

Dilemma scenario 9

A 14-year-old boy, angry at a friend after a disagreement during practice, is chatting with another friend on Snapchat and speaks badly about the one he is angry with. He said things he didn't mean, but they were only said in anger. He felt he was just venting and that it was just between him and his friend. But the next day at school, the friend has told both the other boy and all the other boys what he said. They're all angry and think this behavior is really bad. They push him, say mean words, and then all move away from him. He sits alone at school, no one wants to talk to him, and no one wants to listen to his apologies or explanations. He tries to send snaps to the boys, but they just open them and don't respond. After a few days, the situation worsens because the girls in the class have heard he is a fool, and they stop talking to him as well. He regrets what he said but feels that no one wants to hear him explain; he misses his friends and feels very bad. What can be done?

Dilemma scenario 10

One of the most popular girls in 9th grade creates a class group on Snapchat and adds everyone except for one girl named Marta. She names the group WHM and tells the kids that it stands for 'We Hate Marta' but if any adults see the group and ask, they should say it means 'Wednesday Hangout Mates'. The kids in the class don't know why she hates Marta and many of them are uncomfortable with this. But the majority don't object, and inside the group, there is not only badmouthing Marta, but often fun conversations and sometimes planning things like meeting at the basketball court in the evening or going to the ice cream shop together. Those who feel bad about this group still don't want to miss out on what's happening there. What can be done?