In the two case studies examined, I found many similarities as well as differences between Fannie Lawrence and Sylvia Ashley. In this paper, I will first address the distinct emotions felt by Fannie and Sylvia and the situations that caused these emotions. Second, I will identify the sources of stress for the individual members of each family and the effects of those stresses. Let’s start with Fannie. Fannie Lawrence seems to have it all together from an outside point of view. She has a job as a school teacher, can afford to meet the basic needs of each of her two young children as well as extra curricular activities like dance for her daughter, Kim, and daycare for her son, Pete. She is married, owns a car, and is expecting a third child.
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It is clear that she is a guilt-ridden woman. After a snide silent comment made in her own mind wondering the reason she even got married to her second husband, Otis, Fannie is flooded with guilt. “Instantly, she stifled the thought and wished she had at least given him a hug. He did work hard, and goodness knows this was a good marriage...” (Gestwicki 4). I believe that the source of Fannie’s guilt is due to a number of sources. She is constantly judging herself for what she sees as inadequacies: consistently running late, feeding her kids fast-food, enduring a time of being a single mother, and unable to commit to friendships or relationships outside of her families busy schedule. All of these stresses place a self-titled plaque above her head that reads “Missing the …show more content…
We see the struggles these stresses cause her daughter Kim at school, as she complains about connecting with peers and her teacher and her sons need for stability by bringing his toy car with him to daycare (Gestwicki 3 and 4). Like Fannie, Sylvia Ashley also has two children, but with this family, an onlooker might look sadly upon her life and circumstances. Living in subsidized housing, being on welfare, having to borrow $3 from a neighbor to feed her two sons, Terrence and Ricky (Gestwicki 7), and unemployed, Sylvia’s stresses come from the everyday basic needs most of us take for granted. A distinct emotion felt by Sylvia is anxiety. Her fear and concern for her children is constant. Are they safe walking to and from school? Do the teachers judge them because of their clothing? Are they hungry? Are they going to be okay? There is a never-ending cycle of worry because Sylvia clearly loves her boys and wants what’s best for them. I see a clear distinction between Fannie and Sylvia in that Sylvia finds joy and pride in some of the things she knows she can provide. “She ironed carefully. She felt bad Terrance had to wear the same clothes over and over, but at least he was always clean and tidy.” (Gestwicki
It is clear that she is a guilt-ridden woman. After a snide silent comment made in her own mind wondering the reason she even got married to her second husband, Otis, Fannie is flooded with guilt. “Instantly, she stifled the thought and wished she had at least given him a hug. He did work hard, and goodness knows this was a good marriage...” (Gestwicki 4). I believe that the source of Fannie’s guilt is due to a number of sources. She is constantly judging herself for what she sees as inadequacies: consistently running late, feeding her kids fast-food, enduring a time of being a single mother, and unable to commit to friendships or relationships outside of her families busy schedule. All of these stresses place a self-titled plaque above her head that reads “Missing the …show more content…
We see the struggles these stresses cause her daughter Kim at school, as she complains about connecting with peers and her teacher and her sons need for stability by bringing his toy car with him to daycare (Gestwicki 3 and 4). Like Fannie, Sylvia Ashley also has two children, but with this family, an onlooker might look sadly upon her life and circumstances. Living in subsidized housing, being on welfare, having to borrow $3 from a neighbor to feed her two sons, Terrence and Ricky (Gestwicki 7), and unemployed, Sylvia’s stresses come from the everyday basic needs most of us take for granted. A distinct emotion felt by Sylvia is anxiety. Her fear and concern for her children is constant. Are they safe walking to and from school? Do the teachers judge them because of their clothing? Are they hungry? Are they going to be okay? There is a never-ending cycle of worry because Sylvia clearly loves her boys and wants what’s best for them. I see a clear distinction between Fannie and Sylvia in that Sylvia finds joy and pride in some of the things she knows she can provide. “She ironed carefully. She felt bad Terrance had to wear the same clothes over and over, but at least he was always clean and tidy.” (Gestwicki