Singh Family Case Study
Welcome to the School Social Work Simulation.
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Welcome to the School Social Work Simulation.
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Developed by the Faculty of Social Work in collaboration with the XR Lab at the University of Manitoba Libraries.
Authors: Tracey Bone & Tia Oberoi
Review the family dynamics before beginning the case study.
Grandfather: The traditional patriarch of the family. He does not work, cook, or clean, and spends his time lecturing his grandchildren and daughter-in-law. This creates a tense relationship, though Simran is known to push back against his lectures.
Grandmother: The family peacekeeper. She maintains positive, loving relationships with her son, her grandchildren, and her daughter-in-law, often helping to smooth over family tensions.
Father: Immigrated to Canada in 2019, bringing his wife and children over two years later, and his parents in 2025. He works as a truck driver, keeping him away for weeks at a time. He is adored by his parents, occasionally drinks with old college friends in Winnipeg, and has an estranged sister in Toronto.
Mother: Educated as a teacher in India, she immigrated five years ago and now works part-time as an Education Assistant in a Winnipeg elementary school. She has a sister in Vancouver whom she is very close to but hasn’t seen in five years.
Daughter (19): The academically inclined elder sister preparing to start law school. She has two close friends and finds a positive connection to her culture, enjoying visits to the Gurdwara with her mom. She is also currently exploring her identity as a queer woman.
Son (16): Awkward, isolated, and looking for community. He connects with a few other Punjabi kids at school, leading him to skip classes and occasionally shoplift at a nearby Sobeys. His father often excuses these absences, which causes marital tension.
Case Study: The Singh Family