Healing bittersweet legacies: Revisiting contextual family therapy for grandparents raising grandchildren in crisis

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Apr 2000 by Brown-Standridge, Marcia D, Floyd, Caroline Walters

CASE EXAMPLES

The following case examples are illustrative of how a cultural lens coupled with a CFT/crisis-oriented strategy evaluates the potential for familial/community resources and utilities strengths toward a favorable outcome, despite the intricate nature of the case. Three cases are presented with increasing complexity. Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Case 1 Assessment

A working-class, German-American family living in a small, rural farming community presents for treatment. Kathy (54) introduces her grandson, James (9), with reports of his uncontrollable anger at home, school, and on the street. He is described as highly attention seeking and rather disobedient. James and his older sister; Mary ( 13), have been in a living-with arrangement with their maternal grandmother for approximately 1 year and have had to change schools subsequent to their mother's "financial difficulties" and "drinking problem." Kathy recounts her difficulty in raising the children's mother, Donna (32), since "she grew up fast" and "has a temper." Kathy's ex-husband, Chris (56), apparently did not participate much in raising their children. They were divorced 10 years ago after 35 years of marriage. Chris has contact with his children and grandchildren about two to four times a year. Kathy also has a son, Tony (28), and James is said to be fond of him. Tony and James often spend time together, though Tony lives several hours away:

The parents of James and Mary have been divorced for 7 years. Both are now remarried. Donna and her present husband, Rick (35), have a child, Lisa (2), who currently resides with them. Donna's ex-husband, Steve (33), has remarried to Julie (30). Their two children, Jill (4) and Tom ( I ), also live in their household. James and Mary spend little time with either parent. Often when arrangements are made for a visit, something happens and the engagement is canceled. The children concur that their parents repeatedly make promises to visit, but these vows are only kept sporadically. Both children admit to diverting bitterness toward their grandmother for their parents' last-minute excuses, but suspect aloud that she is preventing them from parental contact. James accuses her specifically of barring them from their father due to this man's "anger problem." Since both parents are remarried and have "new" children, James and Mary ruminate that their parents must love these children more. James laments that he has been repositioned from the youngest to the less-favored and less-rewarded middle child.

Kathy's German heritage has buttressed her tenacity to work hard and "do the responsible thing" by her beloved grandchildren. Nevertheless, she concedes she feels burdened enough to break away from her usual imperative to handle things herself and is seeking help. Deep down, she expresses regret that she does not have the freedom to pursue a business career and return to dating. Instead, much of her time has been devoted to trying to understand disciplinary practices at James` school, where personnel reportedly address infractions "piecemeal." In turn, James exposes the contradictory nature of her directives to stand up for himself; correct wrongdoing, and obey all authority.