Addressing Parenting Styles and Social Work Interventions in Family Settings

Addressing Parenting Styles and Social Work Interventions in Family Settings

Responding to Guerry

Hello Guerry,

This is a great post. I completely agree that the parents have different parenting styles, especially when it comes to disciplining their sons. Richard’s parenting approach is more authoritarian, which is characterized by strictness like rigid rules, high expectations from children, and severe punishment (Jadon & Tripathi, 2017). On the other hand, Stevie’s mother seemingly uses a permissive parenting approach. She displays behavior like having low demands from her son, and there seems to be little to no rules. She has open communication with her son and is also highly responsive. These two parenting styles contrast each other, which would explain the conflict between them.

I agree with your strategy as a social worker to fully assess the situation before making any decisions. This would be helpful, especially in establishing whether the incident was frequently rare or, if it was the first time, to determine any patterns of this abusive behavior. In addition, I would also include a thorough assessment of Stevie’s physical and emotional well-being. Finally, it is essential to recommend each family member to appropriate groups or private sessions depending on their specific needs and circumstances.

References

Jadon, P. S., & Tripathi, S. (2017). Effect of authoritarian parenting style on the self-esteem of the child: A systematic review. International Journal of Advance Research and Innovative Ideas in Education, 3(3), 909-913.

Responding to Courtney (She/Her)

Hello Courtney,

Great work with your post. I concur with your action of wanting to immediately collect evidence of the physical abuse that Stevie has experienced; it is crucial and should be filed with the police. Talking to all parties involved in the case is also essential in order to understand what led them to this scenario. In this case, I believe the leading factors are the different parenting approaches mixed with the emotional development issues that Richard may have. It is necessary that both households, where Stevie shifts back and forth from, sit down and form a basic structure on how they will co-parent (Cutas & Hohl, 2021). This can involve a negotiation whereby they decide on the benefits and compromises that would form the best family structure for their son. I also agree that professional help, specifically anger management for Richard, parenting classes for both parents and therapeutic help for Stevie, is also necessary.

References

Cutas, D., & Hohl, S. (2021). In it together? An exploration of the moral duties of co‐parents. Journal of Applied Philosophy, 38(5), 809-823.

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Please respond to these two discussion posts. Thank you. Attached is the original response to the discussion.
Discussion Question:
DB-1: After reading Chapter 2 of your textbook, and the articles listed in Week 2 Module, I want you to focus on “Stevie Owens’s Story” on page 25 of your textbook. Please answer the following:

Addressing Parenting Styles and Social Work Interventions

If you were the social worker assigned to this case, how would you approach the situation?
What would you discuss with each family member and why?
What, if any, community supports would you refer each family member to? Please give an explanation as to why you would make each referral.

DISCUSSION 1:
K. Guerry
After reading Stevie Owens’ story (Royse & Griffiths, 2020) I feel as if there is a lot of miscommunication between the parents with each other and with the child. They do not seem to be on the same page about discipline with the child and how they are going to handle these situations when the Child’s behavior is in question. The father should have only used his hand to spank. We could refer them for services and then close the case because the mom is technically a safe parent.

If I was the social worker in this case I would start by reading the report coming in. After receiving the report I would interview the child and parents separately, asking the essential questions needed. I would then need to do a safety check on the home and or homes making sure the environment was safe and then ensure there are working utilities and food in the homes.

I would ask the assessment questions based on the allegations of abuse. I would start with interviewing the child and ask basic questions first how is the client doing, how is school going (if I was meeting them at school), how are his or her social interactions at school, and then I would move to the more personal questions regarding the abuse. How did it happen, when and where did it happen, and who was the one who allegedly abused the client? I would then speak to either parent and ask what the relationship is like with the child, how are the parent’s work and personal life, if there any factors playing in effect for the allegations, and finally I would ask what happened with the current allegations.

I would refer the parents to seek therapy for the child. As far as dad I would suggest parenting classes and anger management/individual therapy, so he would be able to process how he was brought up as a child and then address his frustrations with his son’s behavior. Once the Child’s therapist okayed it I would suggest family therapy to address communication barriers between the parents with each other and with the child.

References

Royse, D. D., & Griffiths, A. G. (2020). Child welfare and child protection: An introduction. Cognella Academic Publishing.

DISCUSSION 2:
Courtney Lawson (She/Her)

As a social worker assigned to this case, I would first speak with Stevie to get an idea of his understanding of what has happened. I would have to take a few photos of the welts or bruises left by the incident. Since the report was made by Mom, I would meet with her as well to get her take on the incident. Finally, I would meet with Richard to analyze his side of the story. Checking to see that stories are similar and match the photos of the abuse is the first step in seeing what services would be necessary to keep Stevie safe. I would discuss with Richard how to control his temper and what Stevie is trying to live with being passed between two households with different ideas on parenting. I would discuss with Stevie’s mother how structure can help Stevie thrive in both mom’s and dad’s homes. I would refer each family to parenting classes so that they could learn how to parent and co-parent effectively. Another class I would refer Richard to would be anger management to help him learn ways to channel or control his anger. Family counseling would also be helpful for all parties involved. Counseling is helpful for families by allowing each family member a chance to discuss their feelings in a monitored environment. Counselors can help each person individually, as needed, and also help families work together for the well-being of the children. Stevie would even learn how to respect both of his parents while being able to talk out his feelings about the divorce.

Reference

Royse, D. D., & Griffiths, A. G. (2020). Child welfare and child protection: An introduction. Cognella Academic Publishing.