Vol. 2, No. 1 • Fall 1997

What Would You Do? Ronny

In this column, we for your help. We have included a scenario involving Ronny, a 12-year-old in foster care. After reading it over, we hope you'll write or e-mail to share your expertise with us. (E-mail to: [email protected])

Ronny

Ronny is 12 and has been in the Davis foster home for 2 years. He is a marginal student, and needs constant encouragement to go to school, get all assignments done, etc. He has not gotten into big trouble at school, although the teachers become frustrated with him because he gives up easily, and seldom speaks in class. Ron visits his mother regularly. After a recent visit, unbeknownst to the Davis's, Ron brought a sexual device back to the foster home. He thought it was pretty funny, and with typical 12-year-old judgment, put it in his bookbag to show his buddy. At school, the friend took the device out of the bookbag and chased some girls with it. The principal quickly learned that Ronny brought the device to school and suspended him for two months.

Mrs. Davis was extremely distraught at the decision. Ronny would only get farther and farther behind. He's not a bad kid. Mr. and Mrs. Davis did not think this was dangerous behavior although, certainly, not very good judgment.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis have asked their social worker for help--they want her to go with them to school and appeal this ruling. So far they have not been able to reach her, and as the days go by, Ronny gets more and more used to being home. The Davis's aren't sure what to do now. The school is very strict about dealing with guardians only.

What would you do? What would you want to tell the Davis family? See the response to this case in our next issue in "What Would You Do? Ronny: Summary and Response."

Joanne Caye and John McMahon work at the Jordan Institute for Families, part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families