Vignettes 10 & 11

Vignette #10- Sexual Abuse
Quinn showed a fear of bearded men when he was placed in his U.S. family. Luckily, Dad was clean-shaven, but the neighbor and Uncle Ed were both cause for him to panic. His parents noticed that in public, Quinn would sometimes become suddenly agitated and fearful. They began to see beards everywhere. Quinn was not quite 2, and not able to speak. He was clingy with his mother and tolerated his father.
Family A- fear the worst. They suspect that he had been molested and find books, websites and professionals on helping sexually abused children.
Family B- assume he had been molested. They also assume he will someday be a perpetrator. They are considering a disruption, as they are scared of losing their friends.
Family C- move slowly to a place where Quinn can feel safe. They keep him home as often as possible. They have explained to their friends that beards are not allowed in the house at this time. They eventually enlist the help of male relatives to come over and play Chutes and Ladders with him. They realize the issue of sexual abuse will likely come back in adolescence, but aren’t worried about it yet.

Vignette #11- Sexual Acting Out
Louise is 12. All she knows about her birth parents in Korea is that they were both teenagers and unmarried. Recently, puberty has caused some trouble. From being a compliant and generally considerate child, she has begun talking back and skipping classes. Her parents were prepared for "You aren't my real parents!" but weren't prepared for the phone call from the principal saying she was caught having sex at school.
Family A- sends her to an all girls’ boarding school.
Family B- puts her on birth control and figure it’s just a phase.
Family C- hires an adoption savvy therapist, who recognizes Louise’s loyalty issues to her birth parents. The family works together to help Louise come to a place of peace and safety.