What value issue(s) might be involved for you as the worker in this case?

CASE VIGNETTE ANALYSIS INSTRUCTIONS
Read the following case scenario carefully. Then, answer each of the eight
questions that follow it.

You are the social worker at a mental health facility. Mrs. Moore was extremely
upset when she came to the office. She found it difficult to
discuss her problem and
wanted frequent reassurance that what she said would be held in confidence. Her 16
year-old daughter, Merri Lynne,
is unmarried and pregnant. Merri Lynne is currently
living with her aunt (Mrs. Moore’s sister) about an hour away. Recently, Merri Lynne
informed her parents that she has decided to keep the baby.

Just before school started last fall, Mrs. Moore and her husband learned that Merri
Lynne was pregnant. Both parents were shocked and
horrified, but Mrs. Moore was
absolutely crushed. Despite her pain, she was able to take action and made arrangements
Merri Lynne to move
in with her Aunt June. Merri Lynne agreed with her parents that
giving the baby up for adoption would be best for all involved. The family made
elaborate precautions to ensure secrecy and all family friends were told that Merri Lynne
was going to Chicago for her last year of high school. Arrangements were made for mail
to go to and from a Chicago address. Merri Lynne’s 18 year old sister, Carol, is aware
of all that is going on
and took part in the planning. Mrs. Moore felt certain that her 10
and 12 year old daughters did not know what was going on.

Before Merri Lynne left home, the Moore’s had not decided how all of Merri
Lynn’s expenses would be paid. Fred, 20, the father of the baby, is a college freshman
expecting to go into military service at any time. He had wanted to marry Merri Lynne.
Her parents would not agree to the
marriage; therefore, Merri Lynne told Fred she did not
want to get married. Feeling heartbroken and disappointed, Fred offered to be
responsible and pay for half of the medical expenses.

Mr. Moore dislikes Fred because he is biracial. Fred is a quiet boy with nice
manners. But Fred’s offers of marriage and money had infuriated
Mr. Moore who said
that no boy who had any respect for a girl would get her in a mess like this and Fred was
not worthy of Merri Lynne’s trust and/or affection. Mrs. Moore was concerned about
Fred’s temper. He had slapped Merri Lynne twice during arguments concerning her
desire
to engage in activities that did not include him.

During the time she was dating Fred, Merri Lynne thought she was deeply in love
with him. But after the initial shock of learning that she was
pregnant had worn off, her
“in love” feelings for Fred seemed to lessen. She became angry that she was pregnant
with his child and how it was causing so much chaos in her home with her family. She
was more than grateful for her father’s support and readily agreed to surrender the
baby
for adoption.

Merri Lynne’s recent letters have indicated a growing interest in the baby. She
had wondered what it will be like, what she should name it, etc. Her parents thought this
was a natural reaction to her advancing pregnancy and were totally unprepared for the
letter that came yesterday
where she expressed she had changed her mind about giving up
the baby. Merri Lynn and Fred have been writing, and she subtly hinted in her letters she
might reconsider marrying him. Also, she has decided she wants to keep the baby and
live with her parents. Mr. Moore is adamant
about not wanting her to come home with
the baby.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore can’t understand what has come over Merri Lynne, since
she knows how deeply they have been hurt by this whole thing.
They don’t understand
how she could have allowed this to happen. Merri Lynne has always been a quiet girl.
She never ran around or caused
them any trouble at all until this occurred. She never
seemed interested in boys or them in her. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Moore often
encouraged her to be more like her 18-year-old sister, Carol, who is vivacious and
popular. Carol is sought after by both boys and girls because she is “the life of the
party”. Carol is just like Mrs. Moore, who has had trouble understanding or getting close
to Merri Lynne. On the other
hand, Merri Lynne is just like her father. They don‘t talk
much but seem to know what is going on in each other‘s minds.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore can’t see how she could do this to them after all they have
done for her, including camp, music lessons, or anything within
reason that she wanted.
They have always tried so hard to make her happy. It devastates them that she would
even consider keeping the baby or even marrying Fred.

The family income has always been just barely above the poverty level. Presently
Mr. Moore is in the process of being declared disabled but
continues to work in his
manual labor position. He will only have disability income, which is below what he
makes when he is working.
Mrs. Moore has not worked outside the home and only has a
high school education. They owe on a car title loan through a payday lender
($5,000)
which was taken out to pay Merri Lynne‘s expenses and they owe $4,000 in credit card
debt. In addition, Mr. Moore’s medical
expenses will be about $125.00 per month. The
two adults are anxious about being able to pay the bills and providing the basics to their
family (rent, utilities, food, clothing, etc.).
Mr. Moore’s sister June asked if you could intervene with the family. June is
unable to accommodate
Merri Lynn and a baby and would like her brother to change his
mind and allow Merri Lynn to keep the child at home with them. Mr. Moore is
refusing
to talk to his sister because she is taking his daughter’s side. The family’s minister is in
agreeance with the Moore’s about Merri Lynn
giving up the baby for adoption and is
encouraging the family to proceed with terminating parental rights of Merri Lynn. Merri
Lynn is showing
signs of depression over the situation.

Your supervisor has asked that
you meet with the Moore’s to assess the situation and see what areas you can help the
family.

Questions to Address
In structuring your response to the following questions, please identify each
section (question) clearly.
You may restate the questions in your answer if you like.
Please answer in full narrative form (i.e., do not simply provide an outline).
Your
response should be typed and doubled spaced.

1. Who is/are your client(s) is this case?
2. What value issue(s) might be involved for you as the worker in this case?
3. What problem(s) do you identify?
4. What do you believe are the causes for the problems you have identified?
5. Based on your problem definition, state your goals for this case.
6. What roles might you as the social worker assume in order to accomplish the case
goals?
7. What specific actions would need to be carried out, and by whom?
8. Whom would you contact for additional information or to clarify any unclear or
contradictory content?

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