Mary Wollstonecraft on Should Jenna run for student council despite the biases?

By Mary WollstonecraftCharacter Development2 min readGrade 11.2
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Jenna is a high school student known for her intelligence and leadership skills. Recently, her school announced a new student council election, and Jenna noticed that the process is biased, favoring students from wealthier backgrounds.

The Choice

Should Jenna run for student council despite the biases?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 9-12
Reading Level
Level 11.210459433040079
Word Count
372 words
Published
Mar 23, 2026

The Dilemma

Jenna is a high school student known for her intelligence and leadership skills. Recently, her school announced a new student council election, and Jenna noticed that the process is biased, favoring students from wealthier backgrounds. Some classmates urged Jenna to run, hoping she could use her position to advocate for fairer policies. However, running would mean she might need to compromise her values to appeal to the current biased system. Jenna confides in her friend Mark, "I just want everyone to have a fair shot, but is it worth it if I have to play their game?"

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Courage
vs
Equality

Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.

Your Options

A

Run for student council and work to change from within.

B

Refuse to participate and protest the biased system.

Questions for Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions. There are no "right" answers – the goal is to explore different perspectives and develop your own reasoning.

  1. 1

    What are the potential impacts of Jenna running for election?

  2. 2

    How might her participation affect her reputation?

  3. 3

    What are the risks of refusing to participate?

  4. 4

    Could Jenna find a compromise that aligns with her values?

  5. 5

    How important is it to challenge unfair systems actively?

Did you like this dilemma?

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Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Mary Wollstonecraft

Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.

Related Topics

courage
equality
Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft by John Opie, circa 1797, showing her in a white dress and black hat, looking thoughtfully to her left.

Mary Wollstonecraft1759-1797

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was a pioneering English feminist philosopher and writer. Her seminal work, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' (1792), argued for women's rationality and the necessity of their education for societal progress.

Feminist Philosophy
Enlightenment Philosophy
Liberalism
Explore how Mary Wollstonecraft informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
Learn more about Mary Wollstonecraft or continue exploring dilemmas inspired by their philosophy.

Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

The Courage to Act — 5-10 minutes

Learning objectives:

  • -Identify the core ethical tension
  • -Make a quick, reasoned choice

Discussion prompts:

  • 1.Which option did you choose, and why?
  • 2.What would you give up with each choice?
participation