Vingnettes Psychology of marriage and family systems

Vignette Three

Considering the text reading assignments, what do you see going on with Phillip and his family?

Given that Phillip was born to a mother who abused alcohol in the past, it is possible that there are physical issues which are affecting his performance in school. Phillip should be screened for learning disabilities and other issues which could inhibit his progress. Phillip is also struggling with issues which make him 'different' from his peers, including the poverty of his household, the fact that he is being shipped from one home to another as the result of his parents' divorce, and the fact that he might receive negative attention because of his mother's LBGT status as well as the fact he is a Native American.

If Phillip is being sexually molested, however, this could be another source of his withdrawal and anxiety, given that these are symptoms often shown by children who are victims. Phillip has not reportedly shown other symptoms of being the victim of sexual molestation, however, such as inappropriate sexual behavior beyond his years; sudden trouble sleeping; unusual behavior problems; or fear of strangers and other people and things he did not express fear of before ("Recognizing sexual abuse," 2014). The allegations are serious, of course, and must not be dismissed but the anonymous nature of the accusation combined with the longstanding tension between the family members must not go unremarked-upon either.

Q10.What treatment interventions from both texts might you use with this family?

Phillip should be evaluated for a learning disability, which may involve the creation of an IEP (individual educational plan). Phillip's mother and father could both be referred to for counseling services, including alcohol treatment for his mother. Phillip's teacher must be worked with to a greater extent so she can understand the child's needs and not attribute his behaviors to laziness, which is not a helpful way of viewing his problems.

Q11.What cultural issues come to mind when working with this family?

Phillip is Native American and lives on a reservation, which means he comes from a community where poverty and alcoholism are more normalized and which may act as inhibitions to his sense of safety and growth. However, there are often high levels of mistrust between Native Americans and social workers, partially because of the legacy of a government which often sought to separate Native Americans from their families. "Native cultures are relationship-based. Native groups customarily place a high value on maintaining relationships and often engage in behaviors to avoid conflict. Many Native people are uncomfortable and unfamiliar with power-based relationships such as those between child welfare workers and clients" (Lucero 2007: 13). Sensitivity to economic limitations is also demanded. "Workers should take into consideration and be sensitive to the financial constraints of most American Indian families involved with the child welfare system. These families need support and assistance in paying for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Realistically, most CPS departments have limited funding for these services" (Lucero 2007: 21).

Q12.What legal and ethical issues would you need to consider?

It must be determined that Phillip is not under any immediate physical risk in either of his home scenarios. If Phillip is being sexually molested, this must be addressed. However, given the conflict between both parents, there is also the possibility that the accusation could be leveled for spurious reasons against the other parent. A thorough investigation is essential for both legal and ethical reasons.

Vignette Four

Q13. Considering the reading assignments in both texts, what do you see going on with this family?

While cultural relativism should never be viewed as an 'excuse' for negative behaviors for a child, it is important to contextualize this family in light of the parents' upbringing and different cultural expectations of children. The family is currently under a great deal of stress, given its recent transition to America. The lack of English-speaking ability on the part of the parents (particularly that of the mother) is undeniably an additional source of frustration. Even the father, who has greater fluency, seems to feel emasculated and limited by his current position. The desire for control over their children in a new, frightening uncontrollable world might be one of the sources of the apparent aggression exhibited towards the children. "By being aware of cultural norms and by developing cultural competency, i.e., understanding and respect for culturally-based values, beliefs, and behaviors, program planners and practitioners can better design, disseminate and implement effective parenting messages and programs for...

What treatment interventions from both texts might you use with this family?
Family counseling might be one potentially effective treatment intervention: this would provide a forum for the family to discuss their differences in a neutral space. If the children challenge the father's authority, he is likely to be threatened and resistant given that he assumes he has the right to dictate their behavior as he is their father. Also, having a neutral party can establish greater autonomy for the children and wife without making it seem like a battle of wills between the two family members.

Referring the mother to English classes where she can hone her skills in the new language might also be valuable. Part of the mother's vulnerability and the difficulty of securing meaningful work and outside social connections is rooted in her language limitations. Overcoming them could be a potentially valuable lifeline. Finding a social network of Iranians within the U.S., via a support group or other cultural venue for both parents could also be a useful way to better grow accustomed to the language and acclimate to the U.S. This might make the wider social environment appear less threatening.

Q15.What cultural issues come to mind when working with this family?

According to the CDC, while in the past certain assumptions about specific ethnic and minority groups "stressed risks rather than protective or coping factors and anticipated more rigid and potentially abusive discipline practices by these groups…recent studies suggest that parents across cultural groups believe that it is unacceptable to abuse children and agree on the types of practices that constitute extreme forms of abuse" (Lubell, Lofton, Singer 2008). There must be care and discretion taken when identifying extreme forms of abuse vs. ineffective child-rearing practices.

The children understandably want to be treated in a way that is regarded as 'normal' by their American peers. They obviously love their parents and do not wish to be separated from them. They deny that they are the victims of abuse but are unhappy with what they feel is an overprotective attitude on the part of their parents, particularly their father. Their father believes he has a right and a duty to protect his children. He views more liberal American child-rearing policies not simply as different but as wrong and wishes to protect his children from them.

This attitude is tied up with his self-image of what it means to be masculine as well. Because of the family's financial difficulties the father may feel as if he is 'less of a man.' Also, not speaking English means that he may feel particularly vulnerable, as if his authority has been challenged. He comes from an environment where a man is expected to have unquestioned dominance over his children and he sees his children in a world where they have greater cultural and linguistic competence than himself.

Additionally, this conflict with his children is also impacting his relationship with his wife. His wife may not have as entrenched overprotective attitudes as himself as she wishes to work and thus relieve some of the family's financial burden. The husband uses the children as an excuse to why she should not work (which seems a sensible solution to at least some of the family's problems) but once again his reluctance likely relates to issues pertaining to control.

Q16.What legal and ethical issues would you need to consider?

Although cultural sensitivity is needed in this scenario, it must be determined that no actual abuse is going on. Simply because a child says there is no abuse does not mean that this can be assumed automatically. A full investigation is necessary. But ethically, a family has a right to govern itself. Even if it displeases a social worker to see a patriarchal arrangement where a woman is prevented from working and children are not given the autonomy to be free and to explore their interests, personal cultural differences must be distinguished from crimes, a norm cannot be imposed upon the family from the outside. Change must occur organically.