Value issues pertaining to cultural and family background

Michael and Amy appear at your office for crisis counseling. Michael, 22, comes from a somewhat controlling Italian family. Amy, 20, comes from a large and powerful Japanese family that settled in California five generations ago.

They want to get married in the fall, but they fear the reactions of their families. After dating casually for six months, they were forced to end their relationship because of objections on both sides.

But after not seeing each other for two months, they began to meet in secret and are now determined to marry. Amy has threatened to become pregnant if their decision to get married is not accepted by their families.

No one in either of their families is aware of their plans, but they know they must act quickly. They have decided to seek counseling.

1. How do you approach this case?