Case Study: Self Image
Michael and Brian are shopping at the market with their mother. Michael is one-and-a-half years old and is sitting in the front seat of the carriage. Brian is 8 years old. He is a heavy set chubby boy and looks more like he is 12 or 13 years old. While' they are shopping Brian is being a typical kid, picking up items and looking at them. Down the cookie aisle Brian picks up a package of Whoopie Pies and excitedly asks his mother, "Mom can we buy these, please?" Ills mother then quickly snaps, "Put those down right this minute. You are too fat for those. How on earth do you think you will ever make the little league team looking like that?" Brian very flushed and embarrassed, obeys his mom and sadly places the Whoopie Pies back on the shelf. Next they travel down the fruit and vegetable aisle. The oranges, apples, pears, and other fruits are nicely displayed for picking. Brian picks up an apple and his mother quickly snaps, "Put that down, young man. Your hands are filthy. Who the hell would want to buy that after you have had your grubby paws all war it?" Brian again obeys. Down another aisle Brian's mother curses an elderly couple who are moving too slowly in front of them they finally • complete their shopping and head toward the check-out line.
While they are waiting, Brian asks his mother if he can have a package of sugarless gum. His mother obviously very irritated, looks at Brian square in the eye and says, "Maybe if you would learn to save your money instead of being so stupid and buying all of those silly baseball cards, you could buy your own gum. I don't have the money to waste on you!" They finally leave the market and as they are heading towards their car, mom tells. Brian to tuck in his shirt, he looks like a bum.
1. How can this one trip to the market affect Brian's self-image?
2. What statements (truths) is Brian internalizing about himself?
3. About his mother? About society? How would you like to see things done differently? What do you think of the family as a whole?