Scenario
3
Darryl is
a fifteen year old living in Toronto. He was born in Trinidad,
where he spent most of his life with his mother, grandmother and
siblings. He came to Canada last year to live with his father,
step-mother and a younger half-brother. His parents arranged for
the move, because they thought he would benefit from being with
a male role model (his father).
When he came
to Canada, the reunion with his father was initially happy. However,
tensions within the family have developed over the past six months.
Things reached a low point last week when Darryl's step-mother
discovered a large quantity of marijuana in his room - a find
which supported her suspicions that he had become involved in
gang activity.
Darryl was
a good student in Trinidad, but he feels disconnected from his
new school and family in Canada. At the moment, his major goal
in life is to fit in with the other students at school. He was
interested in basketball for awhile, but stopped playing after
he failed to make the school team.
His stepmother
thinks he should be sent back to his family in Trinidad. She is
particularly concerned about the example Darryl is providing for
his half-brother. His father protests when his wife demands that
Darryl be sent back. He acknowledges that as a parent, he doesn't
know what to do. Darryl says he doesn't care one way or the other.
Maria never
knew how hard it would be juggling the responsibilities of work
and motherhood. She finds it hard to concentrate at work, since
she worries about her children all the time. She knows her babysitter
lets them watch way too much television. But it's hard for her
to afford quality childcare, especially since her ex-husband doesn't
always come through with support payments.
She is particularly
worried about her eldest son, Jorge, who started afternoon kindergarten
this year. His teacher feels that he is not adjusting well, and
wants to have him tested for behaviour problems. She has been
trying to set up an appointment to speak with Maria about this.
But Maria is wary about asking for the time off work, since she
just started her new job last week.
If only her
mother lived in the same city. They would be able to talk more
often, and her mother would be able to help out with childcare.
Talking to other moms with the same problems would be helpful,
too, but she doesn't know where she can meet new friends.
