She is enrolled in Grade 8 at Petrie State High School in South East Queensland. Cassie has been referred to you because of escalating problems at school; in particular she has been getting into fights, is disrupting class and has now escalated to truancy. The principal has indicated that in conversations with Cassie in regards to her behaviour, Cassie has indicated that she ‘hates school’ and that school is ‘useless’. Cassie has been assessed by the Special Needs Education specialist as being of average to above average intelligence for her age level although with a slightly lower than age-average literacy and numeracy score – the specialist did not believe there was sufficient evidence to indicate a developmental learning difficulty or other learning related disability in Cassie’s case. Cassie shows high aptitude in painting and other visual-spatial activities but does not appear to enjoy or do well at writing or mathematics.

Further investigation and consultation reveals that Cassie’s father has been absent most of her life and her mother has struggled to provide for her financially. Her mother also did not complete school and works part time in a food-manufacturing company as well as receive Centrelink payments for both herself and Cassie. When you spoke to Cassie’s mother (Dianne) on the phone, her views on school being ‘useless’ are quite similar to Cassie’s. She has indicated that she hasn’t read or done homework with Cassie since she was a small child and her view of mathematics was that it was a ‘boy’s subject’ and Cassie’s struggle in the subject was normal and it was not important for Cassie to do well at it. Cassie’s mother indicated that she allows Cassie to stay home if she ‘throws a tantrum’ or doesn’t want to go to school. There is no indication that Cassie’s mother is intentionally neglecting or harming Cassie.

In interviews with the principal, Cassie indicated having often been teased for having poorer clothes and less books than other students which she says provokes her to fighting.

You are a community worker attached to work with young people in this school and the Principal has asked you to take over Cassie’s case.

ease answer the following questions relating to the study above:

• In your opinion, which sociological perspective/s can adequately explain the situation in which Cassie found herself? Please explain your choice.
• What are the structural and/or sociological factors that influenced Cassie’s life?
• How have the social institutions influenced Cassie’s life?
• What are the social and cultural factors that contributed to Cassie’s situation?
• What are the impacts of class, culture, gender and age in this case?
• What kind of information would you need in order to help Cassie?
• What course of action would you take to assist Cassie?

What are the ways in which you would be able to monitor, review, and if necessary revise the work undertaken and/or services provided in this case?