Social Worker: Sandy
Question One
What are the different concerns, including cultural of this case study that is important for social workers to understand and to be able to show competence in when working with clients who present similar issues?
When dealing with cases of sexuality and sexual orientation, the social worker should have cultural, spiritual, personal, ethical and professional considerations to demonstrate his/her professional competence. The NASW Code of ethics always guides the social worker. The code is responsible for informing his decision and limit his practice within the moral values and ethical practice. These are professional standards and principles that critically guide the social worker. Spiritualism and religious factors is a concern that social worker should consider when dealing with client’s sexuality and sexual orientation. In this case, Sandy should consider the religious beliefs of Julie before making any decision. Cultural considerations in Sandy and Julie’s case study is a critical factor in determining the suitable outcome. Sandy should exercise cultural diversity in sexuality where he should respect people of different sexual orientations such as lesbianism, homosexuality and bisexual (Morrow & Messinger, 2006).
Question 2
Sandy is worried about the effect of the lesbian couple on Julie’s daughter. What are the known results on children of being raised in gay and lesbian home holds?
The children of a gay and lesbian father and mother respective suffers psychological problems like stress. Julie’s daughter could suffer in case the mother could turn out to be a lesbian. Probably, if Julie’s situation of being lesbian could persist, her husband, Alan, could request for a divorce, thus making the daughter to be brought up by a single parent. Also, Julie could have either mistreated her daughter or recruited her into lesbianism. Therefore, Sandy was aware of all these consequences and that why she got much troubled and worried about the disclosure of the news by Julie (Morrow & Messinger, 2006).
Question Five
What should Sandy Miller do now that the client is gone and she realizes in trouble?
Sandy Miller had no idea on what she should handle Julie with her state of lesbianism. Sandy lack the words but instead became tongue-tied upon the breaking of the news. Therefore, immediately Julie left, Sandy could go back to the books and professional ethics to learn how gay and lesbian clients are handled. Also, Sandy could seek professional experience from other social workers to understand how she would go about the case at hand (Morrow & Messinger, 2006).
CASE STUDY TWO
Question One
What is the presenting problem in this case? What are the primary issues?
The issue presented in this case study is that the gay couple; Jonathan and Fernando conflict with each other regarding home-parenting their two newly adopted special needs children. The two gay married men could not agree on who should be called the dad by these children since the dad is supposed to be one. Jonathan want the credit of being a dad to accord to him since he was the one who adopted them by Fernando feels otherwise. As a result, they are seeking for an intermediary to mediate their family problem.
Question Two
What is the impact of internalized homophobia in this couple? How is it, manifested?
Internalized homophobia and oppression is the situation whereby a gay, lesbian and bisexual couple’s experiences supremacy after they have been taught that heterosexuality is the traditional norm and the suitable approach of marriage. In this couple of Jonathan and Fernando, the two are experiencing internalized homophobia, a factor that has escalated their conflict within their relationship (Patterson, 2017). The internalized homophobia from this case study is connected to how the two gay couples are struggling on who should be called the father by the two adopted children. As Jonathan explains, it becomes awkward for them to romance in front of their children.
Question Seven
How might the cultural background of each client affect his feelings about parenting? About public displays of affection?
The cultural background of each client, both Fernando and Jonathan is rich of LGBT aspects. So, culturally, the two Mark’s clients are gays, and they feel that when they display their affection in public is a taboo; it’s against the traditional way of doing things. The condition has inflicted confusion and stress between the couples along with their social worker, Mark. Therefore, cultural diversity and competence is essential in such a situation (Morrow & Messinger, 2006).
Question Eight
Was there something Mark should have included in his assessment that might have helped to identify and address these issues before the adoption? In what ways did agency and state policies limit his assessment?
Before the adoption of the two special needs children, Mark, as a certified social worker agent should have thoroughly investigated the cultural diversity of the two individuals as far as sexual orientation is concerned (Patterson, 2017). If Mark could have understood the sexual orientation of Jonathan before allowing him to adopt the children, they could have resolved the issues before they escalated to that level of disagreements. The agency and state adoption policies limited Mark Johnson in his assessment process before adoption could take place (Morrow & Messinger, 2006). The policies have no provisions for the investigation or assessment of cultural background specifically regarding diverse sexual orientation and how gays or lesbians could adopt a child.
References
Morrow, D. F., & Messinger, L. (Eds.). (2006). Sexual orientation and gender expression in social work practice: Working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Columbia University Press.
Patterson, C. J. (2017). Parents’ sexual orientation and children’s development. Child Development Perspectives, 11(1), 45-49.