Reference no: EM133277298

Assignment - Individually, choose one of the sub-systems listed below of the Miller-Garcia Family. In your Discussion post, respond to the following questions:

1. What are the relationship roles and rules like in this sub-system? Are they rigid, enmeshed, parentified etc...?

2. Based on your answers above, how does this information help you understand the function of the individual's issues/thoughts/ideas as well as the family "issues" as a whole? For example, does knowing Alondra's history of abuse help you understand Angelina's anxiety, why or why not?

Angelina Garcia (34) mother/wife

A devout Christian, Angelina works night and day to ensure her mother, grandmother, husband, children, sister and nephew are all taken care of. Even though she never wanted to be a mother when she was little, she has really embraced this role in her family. Getting pregnant at 18 was scary, especially since she saw what her mother and father had to go through to make ends meet when she was a child. She loves to go to drink wine with her friends, and often will drink at least one to two bottles of wine at night after the kids go to bed. In fact, she drank until she was 30 weeks pregnant with the twins, as she had no idea she was pregnant until falling very ill and seeing the doctor for what she thought was the flu. After the twins were born, she didn't sleep or eat for almost three months as she was convinced that due to their premature birth and health issues, they would die if she wasn't with them 24/7. She recently got pregnant, and even though she hasn't told anyone in the family, she did get an abortion and has felt immense guilt. She feels guilt for the abortion itself and also for feeling like a failure as a mom since she struggled so badly after the twins were born. In her family, women are strong and being a "worry wart" is not acceptable- neither is abortion. She has been questioning whether she will go to heaven and when she thinks about this instability in her belief system for too long, she feels she can't breathe and starts shaking uncontrollably. She also has been waking up at night, having "bad dreams" and trouble sleeping when she thinks about having to take care of another baby or grandbaby down the road. 

John Miller (37) father/husband

Successful businessman whose family paid for his college education through Hedge Fund Investments. Growing up, he was the oldest of four boys, and worked relentlessly to please his parents. He was an all-star baseball player who was drafted into the Minor League and played one season before meeting Angelina during a tournament in the Dominican Republic. After three months dating, Angelina became pregnant and John proposed. He moved to his new wife's country, as he loved the culture their and wanted to grant his wife's wish to stay close to her family. He was disowned by his own family for "marrying down" and marrying an "alien" who only wants to be with him for his green card. John works for an international lending company and spends 70-80 hours at work each week. He and Angelina have had several "rocky patches" and he likes to hit the gym when that starts. He has one good friend in the town they live, who has a well-known struggle with alcohol. Even though his wife doesn't like John hanging out with this friend, he does it anyways because he needs to have time to himself too and he likes to drink with friends. He's tired of coming home to constant nagging and he is afraid his anger will get the best of him dealing with his teenager's newfound attitudes. But he knows he is a good man because he doesn't abuse his kids or wife like his wife's great grandfather. 

Holly Rosaline (16) daughter

Following in her father's footsteps, Holly wants to be a successful softball athlete. She works hard at school and earns all A's; she will even stay up all night the night before exams to crash study. During the times she does this, she tends to "stay up" for several days and enjoys the extra energy and focus she has as it is what she knows keeps her as an A student. Holly dreams of moving to New York and attend NYU upon graduation; living in a big city and being around people who are more open and tolerant is all she is focused on right now. Although John and Angelina do not know, she has reached out to John's parents and has forged a relationship with them under the promise not to tell her parents. Holly's two best friends are lesbians, and she identifies as bisexual. However, she has to hide this from her parents and grandparents as she fears they will disown her. Particularly, since her cousin Juan has come out, she's overheard conversations between her parents that they are only supportive of Juan because he's "not really" their child so it can't be in their genes. Holly also experiences days where she is sad for no reason. Her parents often get angry with her during these days because she can't explain why. So now when those days happen, she often sleeps over at her friend's house and has started smoking weed and sometimes taking pills to "take the edge off". At least then she doesn't argue with her dad.

Enrique Henry (Henry) (14) son

Although he loves school, Henry struggles to make B and C grades and constantly compares himself to his sister. Even though his father doesn't pressure him, Henry knows that he is expected to become the patriarch one day and care for his family. As hard as he tries, he never feels good enough, and often sneaks food into his bedroom at night as eating helps him feel better. He used to be the light of his grandmother's eye until his cousin Juan moved in. Even though he sees Juan as his little brother, he just doesn't want him hanging around anymore. Henry doesn't like to hang out with his friends anymore after school because he's so tired when he comes home, he just wants to eat dinner and sleep. He loves to hang with his sister Holly, but Holly doesn't seem to like being home much anymore.

Twins: Johnny Jr and Jerica (4) fraternal twins

Johnny Jr. has always been more of a difficult child than his sister. He is super picky with his food, he doesn't like to feel grass on his feet or rain on his skin, and loud noises makes Johnny run away. He is sensitive to light, and often wakes up at sunrise which makes his mother very upset. His favorite person is Jerica, as she is the only person who truly understands his wants and needs as his speech is delayed and he has trouble getting his point across often.

Jerica states that she hates her daddy and only wants to be held by her mother or grandmother, Geraldine. She is very protective of her twin and will not let her dad come near Johnny Jr as it makes him upset.