Wendy often looks back on the last several years with great wonderment. How did she ever find herself here? With two children and another on the way, she really doesn't know how it happened. Ever since that day when she first really got in trouble - it seems like it's all been downhill.
Of course, she knows that it hasn't been, even if her life didn't quite turn out the way she had hoped. It could be worse, she figured, and it was only the knowing wisdom of that one counselor she had that gave her another path to choose. She remembers with fondness their sessions and the crap that she gave the counselor at first. She was not an easy person to be with, that's for sure. But then, there was that subtle, knowing glance that the counselor had, and the time that she looked right at Wendy and said, "what do YOU want?" was the first time Wendy had been able to cry. After that, things got a bit easier at home, and Wendy started to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Wendy began to realize that she spent so much time worried about her mother's needs that she neglected to get in touch with her own. So she made some changes, and things were better. Not perfect, of course, but better.
Wendy still had her share of challenges to arrive at age 25 as she has. Her first real boyfriend, who her dad didn't like at all, was nothing but trouble for Wendy and the whole family. But, as a headstrong almost 18-year old, Wendy knew better. A night of partying led to Wendy becoming pregnant. When her parents found out, they threw her out of the house. She was able to come back after only a week and the help of the family counselor working with them at the time. Still, no one was happy with the state of affairs. Wendy considered an abortion and went as far as making the appointment, but then she decided she would keep the baby. Being a mother at 18 was incredibly difficult, and Wendy didn't know what to do or how to do it. She did the best that she could with a lot of help from her mom, and the baby seemed to do OK.
Her boyfriend, of course, was nowhere to be found, but she figured that her father threatening to kill him had a lot to do with his disappearance. Not a big loss as far as she was concerned. It wasn't long before she found herself with another man. Still working on her high school diploma, Wendy really didn't want to get into the partying scene again, and she had her son to care for. She was still living at home, and she just wanted to move forward in her life.
This man, Charles, seemed to be different. He was genuinely kind and seemed to care for her. She had been fooled before, however, so she was cautious. The two enjoyed one another's company, laughed together, and seemed to get along. Wendy let him further and further into her life. Wendy found that she was pregnant again, and she was actually looking forward to having this child. Her daughter was born when Wendy was 22.
Now married to Charles, Wendy just gave birth to her second daughter. Her life seems to be settling in, but Charles has proven not to be the most stable, dependable presence. The two struggle from week to week with bills, and Charles can't seem to keep a job for more than a few months. Wendy doesn't really know what to do, and she hasn't been able to find work - besides, who would watch the kids? Charles can't necessarily be counted on, and Wendy feels stuck.
* Given Wendy's age at the time she became pregnant, should Child Protective Services have been contacted? What typically happens in situations like this?
* Assuming that Wendy has had various mental health diagnoses in the past and continues to carry a diagnosis, is she eligible to apply for public assistance? What if she is unable to work because of her disability? Look into TANF, SSI, etc.
* What low cost child care exists in the Harrisonburg area? Provide a list of childcare providers and the cost per month for daily childcare (8-5). Choose one provider in Northern Virginia and one in Richmond and report the cost for each of those.
* What is the impact of childhood attachment on adult intimate relationships?
1. Given Wendy's age at the time she became pregnant, should Child Protective Services have been contacted? What typically happens in situations like this?
ReplyDeleteIn Virginia, the legal age of consent is 18 years old. This means that any person under age 18 is not considered to have the legal capacity to consent to sexual intercourse. Because Wendy was not yet 18 when she became pregnant, technically authorities could be contacted. Wendy turned 18 during her pregnancy, and was 18 when she gave birth, therefore it is unlikely Child Protective Services would be called. Unfortunately, Wendy was likely labeled by teachers and community members as a “bad kid” from all the trouble she has had with her family and the law. For these reasons, when her pregnancy was discovered non-family members were probably met with a lack of surprise and/or compassion. Depending on the age of Wendy’s boyfriend, Wendy’s parents or anyone who knew 100% of their relationship could have called the authorities under the statutory rape laws. If Wendy’s boyfriend is older than 18, but within 3 years of Wendy’s age (using both dates of birth as a guide), he is guilty of a class one misdemeanor. If charged, it would result in up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. With regard to Child Protective Services, it is unlikely they will be called for similar reasons stated above. If Wendy is still on parole then she may be counseled through her caseworker, and possibly directed as how to receive services on very low income. Also, the family counselor who is currently helping Wendy & family with the pregnancy has already intervened in the matter. He or she is likely aware of Wendy’s antics and Wendy’s relationship; he or she will know that sexual abuse has not been the case and now the focus must turn to preparing Wendy to be a young, single mother living on essentially no income.
References:
Reform Sex Offender Laws of Virginia. (2012). Age of consent. RSOLVirginia.org.
Retrieved from http://www.rsolvirginia.org/age-of-consent/
Virginia Department of Health. (n.d.). Laws. VAhealth.org. Retrieved from
http://www.vahealth.org/Injury/sexualviolence/varapelaws/laws_rape.html
2. Assuming that Wendy has had various mental health diagnoses in the past and continues to carry a diagnosis, is she eligible to apply for public assistance? What if she is unable to work because of her disability? Look into TANF, SSI, etc.
ReplyDeleteWendy and her family may be eligible for assistance as long as she focuses on her children’s needs and her mental disability. TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, may show that Wendy as eligible based on income and the age of her children. This will only be temporary until she finds a job and other assistance as well. She may be eligible for Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and insurance as long as she meet the requirements of disability. She may have to go through medical screenings before becoming eligible to prove her mental illness may prevent her from working. These payments may vary depending on how many children that she has, whether or not she works, and her disability. Another program, the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), will assist Wendy on being hired for a job that she is able to do, as long as she proves that she is disabled through screenings and other assistance such as SSI. This program is free and will help her until she finds a stable job. These programs will help Wendy with her income, even if she is not able to work. However, she may be most likely to work because programs such as DRS will help her find a job that accommodates her needs.
References:
Services to People with Disabilities. (n.d.). Department of rehabilitative services. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://www.vadrs.org/services.htm
Social Security Programs. (n.d.). Social security disability. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/content/social-security-programs
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - Virginia Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Virginia department of social services. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/tanf/index.cgi
3. What low cost child care exists in the Harrisonburg area? Provide a list of childcare providers and the cost per month for daily childcare (8-5). Choose one provider in Northern Virginia and one in Richmond and report the cost for each of those.
ReplyDeleteAccording to National Child Care Connection, there are many affordable childcare options in Harrisonburg. The cost of each day care ranges from several hundred dollars per month for full time childcare from 8-5 Monday through Friday, and most centers offer a ten percent discount to families with more than one child enrolled. Local childcare centers in Harrisonburg include A Cruzy Lil Daycare, Dee, Childcare Connection, Community Preschool, First Church of the Brethren, Freedom Baptist Dayschool, Good Shepherd School and Day care, Harrisonburg Day Care Center, Imagination Station Preschool, Minnieland Child Development, Roberta Webb Child Care Center, Valley Child Care Center, West Rockingham Daycare, and Woodland Montessori School. In Fairfax County the average rate of childcare is $35-$50 per day, ranging from $700-$1,000 per month in tuition per child. Since Wendy may not need full time child care, a program in Arlington, Virginia called Ballston Children’s Center offers a 3-day package, costing $200 per week or $800 per month, if she wanted to do full time the rate would be $290 per week.
References:
Harrisonburg Day care centers nurseries | Day care centers nurseries in Harrisonburg, VA - YP.com. (n.d.). YP.com - Yellow Pages, the new YELLOWPAGES.COM. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://www.yellowpages.com/harrisonburg-va/day-care-centers-nurseries
Top Daycares. (n.d.). Northern Virginia Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2012, from http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/top-daycares-chart/
4. What is the impact of childhood attachment on adult intimate relationships?
ReplyDeleteChildhood attachment greatly influences later adult intimate relationships. A child’s type of attachment bond shapes a child’s belief systems (working models) that then guide his or her perceptions of the world around them. Therefore, childhood attachment affects how one views the world as an adult. Childhood attachment also shapes how people expect others to interact with them. Most people expect social interactions to be similar to the exchanges in their attachment relationships as a child. So securely attached children grow up and expect people to be mostly positive and supportive because these are the types of attitudes they grew up with. On the other hand, insecurely attached children expect more hostility and rejection in relationships because this was the environment they grew up in and are used to. Interestingly, people often recreate their type of attachment pattern in adult relationships. In addition, attachment plays a crucial role in adult intimate relationships because these types of relationships involve communication and emotions. You develop emotional responses and determine when people need comfort or support during your childhood years based on your relationships and the style of attachment you grew up with. Therefore, your early attachment style affects how you respond emotionally later in life in intimate relationships. Similarly, communication is also influenced by early attachment styles. As a baby, you use nonverbal cues to communicate your needs to your caretaker. This nonverbal communication is also important in intimate relationships so people can recognize how a person feels and what they may need. If people had an insecure attachment as a child in which their caregiver did not respond to his or her needs, then this insecure attachment style will also impact the success of their later intimate relationships and whether they know how to respond to nonverbal cues from their partner. In general, it is very important to realize just how much one’s childhood attachment bond can influence future adult intimate relationships. We can see how in Wendy’s case she grew up with an anxious-avoidant attachment pattern, an insecure attachment, in which her mother did not always respond to Wendy’s needs and instead would withdraw. This insecure attachment has influenced Wendy’s intimate relationship with Charles, as the post mentions how she was cautious about letting him fully into her life, thereby avoiding an emotional connection and keeping some distance at first.
References:
Attachment Treatment and Training Institute (n.d.). Adult attachment. Retrieved from http://attachment.adoption.com/bonding/adult-attachment.html
Cook, J., & Cook, G. (n.d.). Early attachment and long-term outcomes. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/early-attachment-long-term-outcomes/?page=2
Segal, J., & Jaffe, J. (2012). Attachment and adult relationships. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/eqa_attachment_bond.htm