Jimilia Brown
Hi Professor Smith and Classmates,
After accessing the video “Working with Yan Ping,” my response to the questions presented are as follows:
1. Presented Problem: Yan Ping has been enjoying studying/university in the United States for four months and in about three weeks Yan Ping will have to travel back to her home of origin which is in China. Her parents are expecting her to major in business (to eventually take over the family business) but Yan Ping has other interests in the history of the United States as well as the Western culture.
2. Identified Problem: There is present conflict between Yan Ping and her parents because she has verbalized that she would like to major in something other than business which is what her parents are insisting that she major in. Yan Ping’s plan for herself and the plans her parents have for her are not agreed upon. Yan Ping's chosen area of study is considered a lower level of status in China which contributes to the cultural issues of maintaining a socioeconomic level.
3. Social Phenomena Present: Yan Ping majoring in what she is interested in as opposed to what her parents want her to major in is culturally unacceptable and Yan Ping does not know how to cope with making such as decision.
4. Cultural Issues Introduced: In Yan Ping’s culture, it is unacceptable to go against a parent’s wishes and Yan Ping is seeking advice/help on how to deal with this issue.
A possible solution to the identified problem using practice theories and interventions is to implement the goal-oriented process to assist Yan Ping in speaking with her parents about her plans. This would be beneficial as part of the helping process because action-oriented solutions are necessary for goal-oriented implementation. The social worker was ethical as well as professional. The social worker was ethically correct as well as professional when explaining confidentiality to Yan Ping as well as suggesting that Yan Ping speak with a social worker that is more familiar with and can identify with the cultural issues she faces.
Reference
Hepworth, D. H., Rooney, R. H., Rooney, G. D., & Strom-Godfried, K. (2016). Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage. Retrieved from http://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2016/direct-social-work-practice_theory-and-skills_ebook_10e.php