Child or Spouse - who do you save?

UncleBob

UncleBob

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Now, for something different...

So - a man finds his wife's vehicle sinking into a lake. He has time to save his wife or his child. Who does he pick?

If you found yourself in a similar situation, who would you pick? Would you save your spouse, the love of your life, the one you agreed to be with, for better or for worse? Or your child? The future of your family, the defenseless younger you?

I'd like it if you answered the poll before reading any of the discussion or anything. I'm really interested in the results.

If you're interested in the actual story, (and please excuse the FoxNews link). http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577945,00.html - you can read the story to find out who he chose to save. Or, probably, in the next couple of posts. But please, answer the poll first.
 
You'd have to rig the question a bit more. I would try to save whoever I thought I was most able to save, it would be pointless to try to save one in particular, fail, and have both of them die.

In some scenario where they were both equally likely to be able to be saved, then I don't know, I guess it would depend on the age of the child, the status of the relationship, other things I'm sure.
 
Was I the one who pushed the car into the lake?

EDIT: The wife makes the most money, but she'll be whining about dead kids. So, no.

The daughter almost takes care of herself, but therapy for her would be expensive. So, no.

The son's testimony is inadmissible in court for a few years, but doesn't sleep through the night. So, no.

I'm thinking I would just collect the insurance money and start life again with Family 2.0. Family 2.0 would consists of two or three 18 year old girls and me not working.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']Sounds to me like he didn't have a choice, he couldn't save his son.[/QUOTE]

I read the story as if he dived down, saved his wife, then ran out of time to try to save his son.
 
Child. I think that's what my wife would want. I know if it was me I would much rather have someone save my daughter than myself.
 
[quote name='Ryuukishi']Child. I think that's what my wife would want. I know if it was me I would much rather have someone save my daughter than myself.[/QUOTE]

Hmm... interesting thought - I agree, I'd rather my spouse save my proverbial child than me... It'd suck to have your spouse resent you for "killing" your child... interesting twist.
 
[quote name='UncleBob']Hmm... interesting thought - I agree, I'd rather my spouse save my proverbial child than me... It'd suck to have your spouse resent you for "killing" your child... interesting twist.[/QUOTE]

How long have you been married?
 
As his wife floundered in the water, Horton tried to dive down to the car to rescue his son, but said he could not reach the teenager.
"I tried to get down and get him but I couldn't, it was just too deep. And Vanessa was going under," Mr Horton told the Dominion Post newspaper.
Click to expand...
Sounds like he went for his son, couldn't get to him, and saved his wife.
 
[quote name='JolietJake']Sounds like he went for his son, couldn't get to him, and saved his wife.[/QUOTE]

I can see how it reads that way... Perhaps I'm just skewed by the headline?
 
[quote name='UncleBob']Five perfect years. :)[/QUOTE]

Obviously, AuntBob is nearby.

If you can't resent your spouse for something after five years of marriage, you're not doing it right.

That or you don't have children.
 
I'd go for the child. If the child couldn't be saved then i'd go for the wife. So if she does survive and the child doesn't then she can't say I didn't try.
 
[quote name='UncleBob']Now, for something different...

So - a man finds his wife's vehicle sinking into a lake. He has time to save his wife or his child. Who does he pick?

If you found yourself in a similar situation, who would you pick? Would you save your spouse, the love of your life, the one you agreed to be with, for better or for worse? Or your child? The future of your family, the defenseless younger you?

I'd like it if you answered the poll before reading any of the discussion or anything. I'm really interested in the results.

If you're interested in the actual story, (and please excuse the FoxNews link). http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577945,00.html - you can read the story to find out who he chose to save. Or, probably, in the next couple of posts. But please, answer the poll first.[/QUOTE]

Whoa.... this forum just turned into the second day of Ethics 101 at community college.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Spouse, because if I had a kid it wouldn't have been by choice in the first place. :D[/QUOTE]

But then your spouse would probably just make you have another kid. ;)
 
[quote name='UncleBob']But then your spouse would probably just make you have another kid. ;)[/QUOTE]

Well, I meant more that it would have been an accident as I doubt I'd marry someone who was set on having kids. Though looks like I may run into that situation with my current g/f...but I doubt I'll end up marrying her kid issue aside.

But yeah, if it was as you said, then I guess I should just save myself!
 
[quote name='gareman']Whoa.... this forum just turned into the second day of Ethics 101 at community college.[/QUOTE]

It was in the news (well, kinda, as it's been pointed out the headline for the story is a bit misleading) and I thought it could make for good conversation outside of the usual bickering that goes on - since, no matter how you slice it, there's really not a "right" or "wrong" answer.
 
[quote name='UncleBob']Now, for something different...

So - a man finds his wife's vehicle sinking into a lake. He has time to save his wife or his child. Who does he pick?

If you found yourself in a similar situation, who would you pick? Would you save your spouse, the love of your life, the one you agreed to be with, for better or for worse? Or your child? The future of your family, the defenseless younger you?

I'd like it if you answered the poll before reading any of the discussion or anything. I'm really interested in the results.

If you're interested in the actual story, (and please excuse the FoxNews link). http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577945,00.html - you can read the story to find out who he chose to save. Or, probably, in the next couple of posts. But please, answer the poll first.[/QUOTE]


The topic reminds me of I, Robot with Will Smith.
 
The situation in the article isn't exactly as cut as dry as the poll question. The husband had the choice of either trying to save his son but with no guarantee of success (and therefore possibly losing both wife and son) or definitely saving the wife. In that case I would have done exactly as he did. Otherwise, child.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='dmaul1114']Spouse, because if I had a kid it wouldn't have been by choice in the first place. :D[/QUOTE]
Urgh. Ya beat me to that one.
 
[quote name='spmahn']I'd sacrifice myself trying to save them both.[/QUOTE]

Depending on the situation, you'd likely all end up dead. Not a good plan.
 
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