social work su

Mitch & Elanor Scenario

Mitch and Eleanor Connors have come to the Family Service Association for marital counseling.  Eleanor is concerned that their marriage is cracking under the strain of the prospect of Mitch losing his job.  Mitch tells the marital counselor that he does not want to go to counseling.  He has only agreed because Eleanor harassed him so much.  As far as Eleanor is concerned, she does not need counseling.  She is in counseling because Mitch is a problem.  Eleanor is hoping that you, the social worker, can talk some sense into Mitch. 

Mitch currently works at a local plastics factory called Superior Plastics.  For the past 6 months, there has been talk of the main branch of Superior Plastics moving to Southeast Asia, where labor is cheaper.  If this happens Mitch will lose his job within the next 6-8 months.  Mitch’s wife, Eleanor, also works part-time in personnel at Superior Plastics.  Mitch and Eleanor have 3 children, ages 12, 10 and 8.  The family has a comfortable middle-class lifestyle. 

Mitch is extremely distressed over the prospect of losing his job.  There is a 75% chance that this will happen.  He does his best not to think about the situation.  He is watching more T.V. after work, and having a few extra beers at night.  After all, what can he do?  He cannot control Superior Plastics or the economy.

Eleanor wants Mitch to start looking for a new job.  She thinks perhaps they should move to another area with more industry.  She is angry that Mitch is just watching T.V. and not doing something about the coming financial disaster.  She has begun looking around for a new job, but the jobs available pay less than her current part-time job at Superior Plastics.  

Eleanor has been spending hours on the telephone with her two sisters, who live in another state, talking about her fears of Mitch losing his job, and the family going under, financially.  Eleanor believes that the family could be homeless if nothing happens soon.  Mitch wishes Eleanor would stop nagging him and let him have some peace and quiet.  He feels he is under enough pressure right now. 

For the discussion:

Please list all of the strengths you find in this scenario

What are contributing factors to the problem? In other words, list what you believe is contributing to the problem/making it worse. 

Reply to one of your peers regarding what you appreciated about their response.