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Identifying Information
Family consists of a 16-year-old African American female name, Clarice Precious Jones, who goes by Precious and is currently pregnant. She previously lived in the New York City ghetto of Harlem with her abusive and unemployed mother name Mary, who physically and mentally abuses her. She has also been raped by her father name Carl (died of AIDS) that resulted in two pregnancies. Precious and Mary are single-parents and both identity themselves as heterosexual. The family resided in Section 8 housing and survives on welfare. Her first child, "Mongo" (short for Mongoloid) is a 3-year-old who has Down Syndrome. He is being cared for by Precious' grandmother whose name is unknown, though Mary forces the family to pretend Mongo lives with her and Precious just so she can receive extra money from the government.
These Presenting problem(s)
The presenting problem by the family system is Precious being arranged to attend an alternative school called, “Each One Teach One” because she is pregnant for the second time that causes her to be expelled from public school. Mary believes that school is not going to help Precious and wants her to apply for welfare. Since Mary did not earn her high school diploma, she stated that Precious does not need one as well. Mary believes Precious is dumb and is to blame for everything. Precious wishes she were smart and sometimes even hope that she was dead. As a social worker, there are many presenting problems in this case. There is a hate relationship between the two. Mary has anger problems and Precious is not meeting the grade-level standard. In addition, she is currently not up-to-date with prenatal visits and has not cope with her traumas.
Assessment
Within the family support s...

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...id not trigger me personally because I was able to maintain myself. However, one value that comes into direct conflict with the values I have identified in the case is when the mother mention how school is no good for her daughter and how school does not get anyone nowhere. In dealing with this, I promoted cultural humility. I had an open mind and understood her reasons for the things said. Generally, there were absolutely no challenges that I’d face because I did not let my emotional feelings get to me.
In examining my personal strengths and limitations for work with this family, it was an eye opener. As an individual and human being, I felt the family’s sufferings. It was hard to hear and see what Precious has dealt with and knowing that she wanted to die at times. However as their social worker, I have to maintain boundaries and keep a professional relationship.