illustration of a car crash, a grave, empty liquor bottles, a basketball, and a young man crying

Tears of a Tiger

by Sharon M. Draper

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Editor's Choice

In "Tears of a Tiger," how does Mrs. Thorne violate Andy's privacy?

Quick answer:

Mrs. Thorne, the counselor, violates Andy's privacy by disclosing to Tyrone and B.J. that Andy is receiving counseling for depression following his friend's death in a car accident. Although she intends to reassure them about Andy's well-being, her actions breach patient confidentiality. Andy's counseling should remain a private matter between him and Mrs. Thorne, regardless of the concern others may have for him.

Expert Answers

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As a counselor Mrs. Thorne is supposed to maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Yet when talking to Tyrone and B.J. she lets slip the fact that Andy's receiving counseling for the depression he's been suffering since the auto accident in which his good friend Robbie was killed. Mrs. Thorne doesn't mean any harm by this; she knows that Tyrone and B.J. are concerned about Andy's well-being and she just wants to assure them that he's getting help for his problems. Nonetheless, she is violating Andy's privacy all the same. His counseling should be a private matter between himself and Mrs. Thorne. No one else needs to know about it no matter how close they are to Andy and no matter how concerned they may be.

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