Genogram case study

HSV364—Human Behavior in Society

Genogram Assignment

For this assignment, you will need to read the Case Study (also listed below) and review the Constructing the Genogram power point for the Genogram Key Symbols. After reading the case study, you will follow the instructions in A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Exploring the Use of Genograms in Social Work Practice to draw a genogram using Microsoft Word. Please be sure to map out all family relationships you are able to identify from the given information, including names, ages and quality of relationship/relationship patterns. After completing the genogram, you will also be expected to include a 2-3 page narrative to address the questions listed below. Be sure to use proper APA format (12 point Times New Roman, double-spaced, one-inch margins) and must include references to your textbook where necessary:

· Explain the connecting lines you identified in relationships between family members (i.e. conflictual, close, enmeshed)

· Who had/has the power in the family?

· What patterns or themes do you see in the family? How is the communication among members?

· What are the values this family upholds?

· How do the family members cope with stress (i.e., become anxious, get angry, drink, are calm and handle it well, etc.)?

· How will this information be important to you as your work with clients? What challenges do you think you will have?

· After examining behavior patterns and family relationships, what other information would you want to gather from this family?

· How would you apply Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when working with this family?

HSV364—Human Behavior in Society

Genogram Assignment: Case Study

Marshall, a 32 year old Caucasian male, and Cynthia, a 30 year old Hispanic woman, have been together for over 13 years and married for 9 years. Marshall and Cynthia have three children together: Sylvia, age 11, Jonathan, age 7 and Torrence, age 5. The two met as children as they lived in the same neighborhood. Marshall is an only child and his parents, Judith (age 61) and Randy (age 66) are still married, living in his childhood home. Marshall has a half-brother, Stephen (age 35), the only child from Randy’s previous marriage (name and age of previous partner unknown). Stephen spent weekends with the family until he moved in full time to have a shorter commute to the local community college. After graduation, Stephen moved out of state to begin his career. Judith and Randy allowed Marshall much freedom as a child and often took weekend trips away from home during Marshall’s teenage years, leaving Stephen in charge. Marshall also often spent time at his maternal grandparents’ (Vivian and George, both deceased) home during the summer to visit with his extended family.

Cynthia comes from a very strict Puerto Rican home and is the middle child, having an older sister, Marissa (age 35) and a younger sister, Sophia (age 29). Marissa’s father, William (age 58) is a pastor in the family’s local church and her mother, Patricia (age 56) works with the women’s ministry in the parish. They have been married for 36 years and had moved to the United States shortly after they were married so that William could find better work opportunities. William previously worked as an HVAC laborer and retired at a young age after sustaining an injury on the job.

Cynthia grew up in a household with very traditional gender roles and the expectation that she would be married before living with a partner, given the family’s Christian beliefs and values. Cynthia’s paternal grandmother, Carmen (age 80) still lives with her parents and Patricia has been her primary caretaker for the past several years. Carmen moved in with the family after her husband Julian passed away. Cynthia threw her family for a loop when she announced her pregnancy with Sylvia, considering that she and Marshall were not yet married. There was quite a bit of pressure for Cynthia and Marshall to marry, however, they chose to buy a home before saving for a wedding. As a result, William and Marshall have a very strained relationship because he blames Marshall for challenging Cynthia’s faith and getting his daughter pregnant and not marrying her right away.

Now that Sylvia is approaching her teenage years, Cynthia and Marshall have been disagreeing about their parenting choices. Marshall believes that Sylvia should be allowed to have a cell phone and a later curfew since she is at an age where social connections are most important. Marshall believes that they have instilled moral principles and responsibility in Sylvia and that she can be trusted to make good choices.

Cynthia believes that Sylvia should still be closely monitored and wants to send her away to an all-girls, Christian camp for the entire summer. Cynthia worries that she will make choices that will impact her future. Since Cynthia was only 19 when she had Sylvia, she had dropped out of college to be a stay-at-home mom. Cynthia has worked hard to raise her children in the church and pushes Sylvia to help out with household chores so that she has an understanding of what adult life is like. Cynthia constantly reminds Sylvia that making the choice to engage in behaviors that may result in her becoming a parent at a young age will increase responsibilities on her shoulders. Sylvia has begun to act out since she feels it is unfair that her brothers are not held to the same expectations and do not need to participate in household chores. Sylvia often feels jealous of her brothers and has begun to argue with her mom about her responsibilities around the house.