It is likely that you do not believe the world will end soon. However, we see news reports from time-to-time that call attention to doomsday groups that believe in the apocalypse. Some even pick the final day. As recently as 2012, there were people who believed that the world would end on December 21, based on an ancient Maya prophecy. Even though that day came and went without incident, we can assume that in the future new doomsday groups will appear with their dire predictions. In the following case study, we read about a family that was part of the 2012 doomsday cult. The family has a number of other issues as well that create a harmful conflict climate.
The purpose of this activity is to apply correctly the key concepts, principles, and suggestions from Chapter 6 to the case study.
Read the following case study and the instructions that follow it.
“Whom do I have the most conflict with in my family? I’d have to say, my husband, Duane. But I should first tell you that he is 44 and I am 33. Married since I was 19, we have 2 kids, a 12- year- old son and 15- year- old daughter. One of the distinguishing features of our family is that we belong to Live Now, which is a group that believes the world will end next year. Locally, we hold meetings every month, and our state has a meeting every year. Our group has accumulated a lot of evidence that the end will come. This is one thing all of us in the family believe in. Other than this, my husband and I do not agree about many things and have a lot of conflict.
Duane really upsets me when he gets too controlling and starts ordering me and the kids around. When he gets this way, he says things like he wears the pants in the family or has the more demanding and better paying job. He often interrupts and talks over me. He also contradicts me and the kids in family discussions and says we don’t know what we are talking about. My friend tells me that I should assert myself more and stand up to him, but that isn’t my way. I think one shouldn’t behave like he does and should not need to be told how to act. When he gets this way, which is often, the kids and I just try to stay out of his way. Anyway, we only have to tolerate his efforts to control us for another year.
He is also too competitive. Duane makes statements like, “I have never lost an argument.” When he plays games with the kids, he dominates them. They never win against him. It’s not like they are a threat or likely to beat him. He just enjoys winning. He belongs to a bowling league and gets upset if his team loses and won’t speak to anyone at home. Again, we just have to stay out of his way when he gets upset like that.
Perhaps I am most bothered by the fact that I have never felt I can trust Duane. How so? The way he looks at other women. There are also times I can’t account for his whereabouts. I can’t really say anything to him about any of these faults because he gets really upset easily. He says I am crazy. He says he is doing everything the way he should and the rest of us have to realize it. He claims he is the only sane one in the family. Duane claims it is our responsibility to get on board with him. He criticizes the kids and me for being too influenced by sitcoms on TV. If the kids are ever critical of him, he changes the subject or blames them or me for everything. Again, I keep telling myself that I only have to put up with his behavior for one more year.”
For this discussion, please engage in the following:
- Read the case study
- Jot down what concepts you read in Chapter 6 that might apply to this scenario
- Define what the concept(s) is that fits this case
- State what behaviors you see happening that substantiate why you chose the concepts you have identified
- Write a 250-350 word post where you put together #2 and #3; this post should be in narrative form
- Include references to the textbook in your post; use the APA style guide
