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Group Identity Versus Alienation

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The client is identified as Kevin, a 14-year-old male from Honduras. Kevin left his family in the Honduras to create a new life for himself in the United States of America. He has made it clear to the therapist that this is anything but a selfish move, he is seeking work in the United States so that he will be able to send money home to his mother. Kevin is optimistic about his travels and would like to make enough money in the United States to buy his mother a home. Kevin was working long hours shining shoes for tips and his mother sells empanadas on the streets making just five dollars a day. On Kevin’s first attempt to travel to the United States he reportedly gave himself up, was placed in a Texas shelter and later returned home. On Kevin’s …show more content…

This conflict is called Group Identity versus Alienation. In the United States it is expected that the parent takes care of the child and fully provide for them until at least the age of 16. In Kevin’s case, he grew up in a society where is acceptable for children to work and be self-reliant unlike the United States. The therapist speculates that Kevin favors individuality and alienation even though he has strong ties to his mother. Kevin is leaving his main social group, his family, in search of work in the United States. Although Kevin has become a part of this social group while traveling from one country to the next he is less worried about connection and identifying with this group and more worried on the end result. Since Kevin has been able to maneuver this far through the formal operational stage, his reasoning has helped him reflect on his social relationships within this group. He realizes that he in fact is a part of this group but this is temporary. From what has been brought to the attention of the therapist about Kevin is seems that he lacks social support in forms outside of his mother. Through the abuse of his stepfather and the abandonment from his biological father, Kevin is experiencing parental rejection. Although he knows he can count on his mother, the male figures in his life have shown him otherwise. This may be causing Kevin to feel like he does not belong. One example of Kevin choosing individuality is when he got into a small argument with his friend Frito over a piece of bread. Kevin refused to share the bread with his friend and when the argument escalated Kevin took off with three men he did not know. This shows the Kevin does not feel the connection with the group that he viewed to belong to and is not able to recognize his bond with his friend Frito. His culture has played a

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