Choose one of the scenarios below for the basis of your response to this discussion forum:
Scenario 1: Joetta, age 17, recently gave birth to a baby girl. She and her child live with her mother, but she would prefer to move in with the father of the child. She believes that her life would be better with him. She attends a school program for teen moms. Joetta’s goal (also a goal of her mother) is to finish high school and get a job so that she can have a better life for herself and her child. She resents the other students in the program, who she perceives to be less ambitious than she is. Her attitude often leads to shouting matches with other students, following one of her put-down messages.
Since the birth of her child, Joetta reports that she and her mother argue constantly. When asked what the arguments are about, she said “All I ever hear from her is how irresponsible I am, how I don’t take care of my baby, and what a no good thug my boyfriend is. Sometimes, she says nice things to me, but mostly she just yells, calls me names, and then cries because she feels bad, I think.”
The mother reports that much of what Joetta has described is true. She, however, believes that she gives Joetta more positives than Joetta is willing to admit. Nonetheless, she is concerned that their interactions seem to always end up with the two of them arguing and yelling at each other. Also, according to the mother, Joetta often disrespects her and talks to her as if she is one of her friends. Furthermore, the mother states, “Although she is a mother, I am still her mother and she lives in my house.”
Scenario 2: Winston and Clarita need assistance in finding affordable housing. Currently they are living in transitional housing with their two children. Finding housing has been difficult because of police calls to their residence. Most landlords are reluctant to rent to “high-risk individuals.” The police call and their eviction from their last apartment were, according to them, related to a relative who was living with them at the time. After the last time, they asked him to leave, but it was too late. The landlord posted an eviction notice on their door and refused to accept rent for the next month.
To make matters worse, Clarita lost her job when they moved into transitional housing because of absenteeism. In the old apartment, she could walk to work. Winston works as a cook in a suburban restaurant. Transportation is an issue because bus service to and from his place of employment is limited. As a result, he leaves home early and arrives home late. Despite their difficulties, the children appear to be well cared for, and the couple reports that their relationship is okay, now that the relative is out of their lives. Both are, however, despondent over their circumstances. They have 60 days in which they can remain in transitional housing. They are concerned about finding housing that they can afford. Clarita believes that she may be able to get her old job back once they are settled.
Scenario 3: John, age 15, lives with his parents and three siblings: two older sisters and a younger brother in rural community. He is an average student and a star member of the football team. John was caught selling drugs in the school parking lot. He was reported to be high at the time. Because of this incident, he was court-ordered to treatment and has been suspended from the football team.
When you meet with the family, John admits that it was stupid to sell drugs at school. He can’t believe that his friend reported him to the principal, and he blames the friend for being caught. Further, according to John, “Everyone he knows does drugs and many are also involved in sports.” John and his parents are most upset that his suspension will prevent him from playing in the state football championship. His parents are somewhat upset with him, saying, “What he did was stupid.” The father is most upset and angry with the football coach. According to him, “John is a good kid who got a little off track. He’s not one of those big city crack heads—this boy has a life ahead of him.”
After reading the scenario, identify which of the following skills/strategies would be useful to use to enhance family functioning in the scenario:
Modifying Family Rules
Focusing on the Future
Focusing on Strengths
Modifying Family Alignments
Modifying Misconceptions and Distorted Perceptions
Assisting Clients to Disengage from Conflict
Giving and Receiving Positive Feedback
Cultivating Positive Cognitive Sets
In addition to identifying which strategy (listed above) would be most useful, explain your rationale. Finally, please describe your level of comfort in working with this family. Why might you be a good fit, or conversely what might be some of your concerns in working with this family?
