Vasha is now a 15 year-old girl who has found a way to "fit in" with a small group of friends. The four of them have much in common - Vasha is Hindu, Tamil is from Afghanistan, Jake claims to be a practitioner of Wicca (which he refers to as 'Wicker' thinking that it's the correct term for the religion), and Spence just got out of a residential treatment center for kids with emotional problems. An unlikely group, to be sure, but one with whom Vasha has found something of a second home. Of course, there is nowhere Vasha would rather be than at her real home, but these friends she's made are a wonderful substitute when she's not at home.
Vasha is still close to her mother, and the family has been through alot since Arup died. Most of the siblings are off living their lives, but they come back quite a bit to visit.
One day, Vasha and her friends are talking at lunch. Somehow, the conversation rolls around to ADHD, Spence's stay at the facility and the kinds of medications he had while he was there. It comes up that Vasha is on a medication for her ADHD. Spence wants to know if she's ever tried snorting it, and she is horrified - "of course not" she says. Spence, however, having been around lots of kids with lots of problems, has a way of being convincing and sly when he wants to be. He manages to turn Vasha's initial reluctance into a promise for her to bring some of her meds to school with her tomorrow. Spence is going to show everybody how to "get high" on Adderall.
The next day comes, and Vasha brings her meds with her, unaware of the potential ramifications of such an act. The four go outside after lunch, and Spence starts to tell them how it's done...
It is about at that moment that the Assistant Principal walks around the corner, catching all of them in the act of snorting a controlled substance on school property.
* Describe typical developmental milestones for a 15 year-old girl.
* What are the intrapersonal dynamics that might lead an otherwise kindly 15 year-old girl to experiment in such a way? How about the interpersonal dynamics?
* What do you suspect will be the reaction of Vasha's mother to the news? Write a developmentally and culturally appropriate narrative of the dialogue that Vasha and her mother have regarding this event.
DECISION POINT:
Does Vasha get kicked out of school? If so, for how long? If not, what are her consequences?
Our graduate student helped us with this answer.
ReplyDelete3). Vasha’s mother will not be pleased to hear about this news especially because it involves the abuse of a drug that Vasha medically needs. She might think that this will be a reoccurring problem. She will be hurt that Vasha has not been truthful with her since in the Indian culture, honesty is the best policy. Cooperation is also a big value in their culture and Vasha has disobeyed this value. Acquiring a sense of responsibility and accountability while learning to behave properly are values that should be instilled early in an Indian child. Respecting elders is also important to an Indian family so Vasha’s mother might have Vasha write a letter to the Assistant Principal apologizing for her actions and reassuring that it will not happen again (Swami, 2007). Now that Vasha is a teen, it is important for her and her mother to have a drug and alcohol substance abuse talk. Vasha’s mother should ask Vasha what she was thinking and her feelings about the situation. She needs to know if there is a deeper problem or emotion involved (“Talking to Your Child About Drugs”) In the Indian culture, they pride themselves on having confidence. Children are taught to believe in their abilities and own judgments. In this situation, Vasha was not confident in her own reasoning. She knew it was wrong but went along with it because they are her new and only friends (Swami, 2007). This is when Vasha’s mother needs to question the friends that Vasha has and get to know them and their parents better. Maybe a group outing would suffice or weekly dinners. It’s important for parents to be involved in their child’s life (“Talking to Your Child About Drugs”). Vasha’s mother also needs to ask Vasha if she even likes these friends or if she is simply settling. It has not been easy for Vasha to make friends and it’s important that she realizes she can do better. She should not be down on herself because of her ADHD but it’s hard, especially as a teen, to be different from everyone else. Her mother needs to realize that Vasha may be more susceptible to peer pressure and talk about ways to say “no”. She needs to reassure Vasha that she is special and is capable and will find other friends. She needs to pay attention to how Vasha is feeling inside and let her know that she is always there to help. It’s important for Vasha’s mother to encourage Vasha to ask her questions and for advice (Talking to Your Child About Drugs”).
Works Cited
Swami, M. (2007). Indian parenting and values. Retrieved from http://www.indianchild.com/virtues/india-parenting-and-values.htm
Talking to Your Child About Drugs. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/talk_about_drugs.html
Decision Point:
As a result of this issue, Vasha is suspended from school for 3 to 5 days. When she returns back to school, she is required to meet with the drug and alcohol guidance counselor twice a week for the remainder of the school year.
1) One of the developmental tasks for a 15 year old is to create her own personal identity based upon the integration of values and sense of self in relation to society, others, the opposite sex, the future, vocation, ideas, and the cosmos. Some normal characteristics of a typical 15-year-old girl are experiences in sudden and rapid increases in height, weight, and strength with the onset of adolescence. Girls are gradually reaching physical and sexual maturity. Acne may appear, and girls start to typically become concerned with their physical appearance. Most girls have completed the physical changes related to puberty by age 15. In terms of social development, a 15-year-old is increasingly aware of social behaviors of friends; seeks friends that share similar beliefs, values, and interests; friends become more important; start to have more intellectual interests; may be influenced by peers to try risky behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, sex).
ReplyDelete3http://www.education.com/topic/teenage-developmental-milestones/
http://www.texaschildrenspediatrics.org/parent/growthchart/teens.aspx?id=4294967702&terms=development%2015
2). Intrapersonal dynamics are the processes and the relationship a person has with his or her self. One reason why Vasha may have gotten herself involved with the drugs is because she wanted to fit in. She is 15 years old and has had previous self-esteem issues because she was different then some of her other peers. If her few friends at school were going to do drugs she probably thought to do this because she did not want to lose the few friends she did have or lose the one place she feels comfortable other then home. Interpersonal dynamics is the relationship a person has with others and between others. If all of Vasha’s friends are doing it and she trusts them she would feel left out or ‘not cool’ if she said no to snorting the drugs.
Our graduate student helped us with this answer.