Dominic Capo, the sixteen-year-old son of Rocco Capo, has met a very attractive girl at school. Her name is Karuna, and she and Dominic have been partners for recreational folk dances in Mrs. Hebergeiss's P.E. class. Dominic has become very fond of Karuna and has even asked her to the school's Valentine's Dance. It wasn't until Dominic told his cousin Donny about Karuna that he discovered that she is the daughter of Mr. Capo's sworn enemy, Rami Movvagh.
Donny advised Dominic against going out with Karuna. When Dominic explained that he is more attracted to Karuna than to any girl he has ever met, Donny reminded him that Dominic claimed to be "madly in love" with a girl named Darcie just last week. In fact, Dominic had been writing sonnets to Darcie and had sent her gifts and flowers. During the summer, Dominic was very interested in a girl he met at band camp, and they corresponded for a brief time at the beginning of the school year. Donny cautioned Dominic that if his affection for Karuna were as ephemeral as his feelings for other girls in the last six months, then he should forget about the date, because it would only bring trouble. Donny said, "Your dad hates her dad. The relationship can never amount to anything because both families would oppose it. It is not worth the trouble." Dominic had to agree that there will be trouble, but he knew that he had strong feelings for Karuna.
What should Dominic do? List and assess the actions he could take. As you work in your group to decide what to do in this situation, complete the following steps:
1. List the possible courses of action that Dominic could take.
2. What are the possible advantages and disadvantages that could result from each course of action?
3. What course of action could solve the problem in the most constructive way? Why?
4. What course of action would be the most destructive? Why would you characterize the choice as destructive?
5. Compose a letter to Dominic. Explain what you understand the current problem to be. Let him know that you've thought about the problem by identifying several actions he could take. Identify the best course of action, and explain why it is the best in the sense that it will offer the most benefits and the fewest disadvantages.
Return to Verona Park.