Introduction
Social work practice with families is a modern scientific intervention focused on addressing social problems from its root- cause, which can be easily identified as the family structure. Research has shown where with the collapse of family; simultaneously social structure organizations inclusive of education, religion, legal and economic follow a pattern of dysfunction.
In the following pages of this document the writer will conduct an interview with a family which has experienced obvious changes and seems to be disintegrating. A brief description of the family’s background, presentation of the problem and application of resiliency method of intervention; outline of techniques employed and recommendation would be undertaken as a case study regarding a typical situation of issues facing families in a twenty first century society.
Description of Family and Background
The family interviewed has initials JM-husband /father; TM-Mother /wife; OM- Daughter-First child; JM (Jr) - 1st Son; MM -2nd Son and WM last child 2nd daughter. They reside in an urban community with fairly stabled social conditions. It is a three bedroom family dwelling house with two bathrooms.
JM is a 42 year old Bus operator for the county bus service and works beyond an 8 hour shift many days.TM is a 38 year old registered nurse at a private hospital enterprise within the country. OM- 18 is about to graduate high school moving into college; JM (Jr) -16 and MM -15 are also in high school, but will graduate later. WM is 10 years old and is in elementary school.
Presentation of the Problem
JM and TM were married for 19 years becoming intimate at high school. With strong parental values their parents insisted on marriage since it was the right thing to do from a religious perspective. However, during the interview it was discovered that there were episodes of unfaithfulness within the marriage.
Structure and Rewards System
TM constantly blurted out that it makes not sense since she feels burdened raising her family almost alone. Five years into the marriage she found out that JM had four children with three women and two of them had taken him to court for child support. As such, economically, she had to carry the financial weight of her family because a part of JM’s income goes towards this venture of supporting three children outside of the home.
Communication patterns
Even though respect for JM is obvious in his role of father and husband respectively, the children tend to lean towards TM for moral support and she the same. There is a bound between mother and children. During the interview many times conversations were dominated by children or mother and JM was actually excluded or simply voiced no opinion.
Resiliency Risk Factors
JM appears to be at risk of isolation within the family structure. Other members of the household likewise seem alienated from father and husband, respectively. Also, forgiveness issues are evident among head of the household and other family members.
Rationale and effectiveness of application – Resiliency Method
According to Van Hook (2008), interview is the most essential aspect of family assessment in context of social worker/ counselor, since it is a scientific guide towards exploring risk and protective factors within the family structure and communication models. It encompasses asking key questions; allowing family members to enact roles that offer clues in validating assumptions; observation of non verbal expressions integrating a verbal conversation within non verbal observation (Van Hook ,2008).
When applying these principles espoused by resilience method to the interview of JM’s family it did relive my stress of asking too many sensitive questions which required answers when all family members were present. Instead the non verbal expressions from subtle cues offered enough information to make an assumption.
Also, through this application it became possible to access information which may not have been delivered verbally. For example, had questions such as, ‘how is the relationship with your husband,’ or ‘are you happy with your family,’ been asked; the obvious answers might have been ‘good/ bad;’ ‘yes/ no’ respectively. ’ Thus, when using resilience strategies in perceiving risks and protective factors, a number of other content surfaced.
Therefore, the rationale for integrating content and process as well as linear and circular questioning demonstrate the impact of resilience method in family interviews. It provides the framework for deductions regarding social control measures exerted within the structure by parents and dominant children characters (Van-Hook, 2008). Conclusively, allowing family members to engage in a series of linear and circular questioning, much tension was removed from finger pointing individuals for creating problems. Precisely, a collaborated responsibility approach for risks identified was brought to the limelight.
Techniques used
Techniques relevant to the resilience method were used during this interview. They included gaining the family’s confidence and cooperation in conducting the interview. Specifically, it entailed a family group discussion on an issue of interest to every family member.
As counselor my responsibility was to moderate the discussion. This was conducted in the family’s home at a time most convenient to them. Content and process; linear and circular questioning; generous listening without interruption at intervals and offering non verbal cues were integral portions of technique interventions.
Anticipated outcomes
Jacob Appel (2009), a Bioethicist and medical historian captioned an article in the 13th December, 2011 Huff Post Politics Internet News paper, first posted, October 2009; headline, ‘Hate the Husband? Sue the Mistress!’ This was his attempt at feeding the public updates concerning former Mississippi Congressman’s affair with his college sweetheart and the reactions of his wife by suing her husband’s mistress under a somewhat antiquated law of, “alienation of affection” (Appel, 2009). Incidentally, this former congressman was an ardent Christian.
In applying this scenario to JM’s family, predictions are that the marriage could continue until children are grown and leave the home. After this it depends on whether there is a relationship worth keeping between JM and TM. Pertinent questions to be addressed are whether the relationship between JM and TM transcends their children and what will be left of it after children leave the home. Or would TM be bold enough to take her mistresses to court and remain married. More importantly, could she seek to end the marriage and have JM pay child support for her four children too? These are the possible outcomes facing the marriage and family.
Conclusion/Recommendations
References
Appel Jacob (2009). Hate the Husband? Sue the Mistress! Huff Post Politics Internet News
Paper (October, 2009)
Buss, D. M., & Haselton, M. (2005). The Evolution of Jealousy. Trends in Cognitive Sciences,
9(11), 506–507.
Van-Hook Patricia. (2008).Social Work Practice with Families: A Resiliency-Based Approach.
New York: Lyceum Books.
