Differences in counselor-client relationships across demographics and identity factors

¶ … Gender, Age

This particular vignette details a family that is in a very bad position. There is a tremendous amount of conflict within this house coming from at least three different parties -- from Mr. Flores, from his daughter, and indirectly coming from his wife who is caught in a struggle for power between both of them. The source of these conflicts essentially stems from Amanda Flores, the daughter. However, it is exacerbated by a number of issues that will be revealed at length in the remainder of this document, and pertains to the entire family.

Differences

One of the principle differences between the clients and the counselor that may have contributed to this particular vignette is one that relates to culture. Specifically, Amanda's part of the gang culture is something that most counselors may be familiar with through work, but cannot comprehend in the same way as those who are living it. Another issue that may also be very difficult for the counselor to understand is the relationship between Amanda and her mother. It has been stated throughout this vignette that the pair have a difficult relationship, to say the least. Amanda routinely verbally and physically abuses her mother, yet her mother is willing to put up with such abuse. It may be difficult for the counselor to readily understand the fact that Mrs. Flores believes that by putting up with her daughter's abuse that the former is in some way helping the latter. This difficulty ultimately is related to cultural differences, which is closely linked to religious differences. Latina mothers typically remain in a nurturing role for their children and believe that doing so has religious implications. Counselors who are not thoroughly familiar with this culture and with Christianity's effect on Latinos may not understand Mrs. Flores' behavior.

Issues

The majority of issues in this vignette apply to Amanda, and to her relationship with her family. Therefore, it is probably best to initially consider the issues of the others. The relationship between Mr. And Mrs. Flores is problematic because there has never been true parity in it. Mr. Flores is quite obviously the domineering, alpha male type -- his wife is considerably the opposite. Therefore, there difference of opinion on how to deal with Amanda -- the former's to exorcise her, the latter's to tolerate her -- is extremely problematic. On a personal level, it may be a cause for them to divorce as Mr. Flores has threatened to do; it also may be a cause for them to separate even if his wife acquiesces.

A central concern in this vignette is the issue of the grandchildren. Their welfare, and that of Jamie junior, appears threatened by the brazen actions of Amanda. It appears to be in the best interest of the children to separate them from their mother; doing so, of course, always inherently causes issues with children and their parents, lovers, and their children later in life.