Please Read Case Study and Answer Questions:

Case Study:

Angela and Miguel Gutierrez married in their late teens in Guatemala and shortly thereafter came illegally to the United States. Miguel had many of his family living here already, whereas Angela had no one from her family. Soon after arriving to the United States, they had their first child, Joaquin, who is now 13, and six years later had their second child, Daisy. The school encouraged the mother to seek counseling services for Joaquin because he appeared depressed and was not achieving academically in spite of having the ability to do so. During the intake, Angela disclosed severe marital problems that she believed were based on her husband's drinking. He would drink heavily with his co-workers and family members, and subsequently become verbally abusive at home to her and Joaquin, but less so to Daisy. In response, Angela would start yelling, which lead to loud fighting; this discord, according to Angela, contributed to Joaquin's depressed mood. The father would often call Joaquin "stupid" and order him to go to bed at 5 in the afternoon. More recently, Joaquin greeted his father (reportedly drunk) at a family event with "Hi, Daddy," to which Miguel responded: "Shut up." During the last three years, there have been two instances of physical abuse. Both times the police were called, and Miguel was arrested and sent to anger management classes. After the second incident, Angela insisted that Miguel find his own place to stay, which he did reluctantly. Angela also took out an order of protection against Miguel, who repeatedly violated the order by coming to the house, banging on the door, and demanding that he be let in. Angela would comply and said she could not report Miguel for violating the order of protection because if she did he would be deported, and she could not do that to the father of her children. When Miguel continued his verbal assaults on Angela, she felt confident that she could at least get him out of the house since he had another place to stay. Other times, Miguel would pass out on the couch. All three family members admit that not having father living in the house has led to a more peaceful living situation, but they never know what to expect when father shows up. Angela has refrained from getting into arguments with Miguel, but at times she finds it impossible. For example, one Friday evening Miguel showed up and demanded that they all go for ice cream. Angela went but said she did not want ice cream, yet Miguel demanded that she eat ice cream. She refused and at one point he told her to "Shut up." Angela admits to losing it and yelled back at Miguel that he was never to tell her to shut up again. Angela feels this was a significant moment for her because when she first came to the United States she lived totally dependent on Miguel. She rarely ventured out of the house and lived by Miguel's rules. As time went on, Angela became more independent by working as a housekeeper and babysitter. Through working in the houses of wealthy people, Angela learned a great deal about the dominant culture in the United States and the blurry lines between the roles of men and women. In response to her newfound freedom, Miguel would accuse her of having lovers and living like a prostitute. He was quick to remind her that her role was to live by his rules. At other times, Miguel would admit that his wife was too "far gone," and there was nothing he could do about it. For her part, Angela says there is "no going back," but she still loves Miguel, and even though he has another place to live, she cannot separate from him both psychologically and physically. They continue to have sporadic intimacy when Miguel sleeps over and does not pass out on the couch. Angela feels that all would be well if Miguel stopped drinking, but any attempts toward this end or even to decrease his drinking have proven fruitless.

Questions:

1. Identify and describe three assumptions related to Hispanic cultural values you make about this case.

2. Identify all of the possible people who are directly and indirectly involved in this case. Briefly describe how they are-or should be involved, and why.

3. Describe how the acculturation process produced stress for Angela and strain on the Gutierrez Family.