Defining the problem
titimary
Finalpost.docxDefining Technique of Engagement
When engaging with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) clients, a social worker should first be aware of their own biases of working with the LGBT population (Moe, Finnerty, Sparkman & Yates, 2015). If a counselor holds any bias towards the LGBT community, this can come across during any moment of working with the client. Moe et al. state that social workers should be aware of the history and cultural context to have a better understanding of how to connect and build a rapport with one’s client. Additionally, studying history, cultural and social challenges of the LGBT community may help the social worker empathize with their client. Furthermore, if a counselor is not aware of the stress related to the LGBT lifestyle, it would be challenging to assist the couple in overcoming their family issues.
While conducting an assessment, the social worker must use the all-inclusive language. Often, the first contact with a client is done by general information-gathering tools. Typically these tools use language that leans towards the heterosexual population. To offer comfort and begin to build a welcoming rapport, the language on the forms should read for example
*Divorced, Married, Separated, Single Relationship Status: Civil Union, Divorced, Domestic Partnership, Legally Separated, Married, Partnered, Single, Separated, Unknown, Widowed, *Other Name of Spouse Name of Partner Mother/Father Parent, Co-Mother, Co-Father
*Sex: Male, Female Sex: Male, Female, Intersex, Other Gender: Man, Woman
*Gender Identity: Male, Female, Transgender male to female (MTF), Transgender female to male (FTM), Gender Queer, Other Not Applicable
*Child’s Status: biological, adopted, foster
Re-wording the assessment tool can empower the client and create an atmosphere of one that welcomes the LGBT community.
Of course, the worker should complete the standardized bio-psycho-social assessment, which should include assessing for other risk factors such as substance abuse, suicidal risks, intimate partner violence (IPV). However, Moe et al. also suggest that LGBT clients should be screened for “internalized prejudice” as homophobia and the negative perceptions of the society at large can have an impact on their relationship between Peter and Fernando.
Reference:
Moe, J., Finnerty, P., Sparkman, N. M., & Yates, C. (2015). Initial assessment and screening with LGBTQ clients: A critical perspective. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling
https://www-tandfonline-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/doi/full/10.1080/15538605.2014.997332
Group C: The Case of Peter and Fernando
Sharon Turner, Sandra Vasquez, Catlin Wills-Vertz, Hannah Wilson, & Titilope Abioye
Walden University
Family Description
Peter's family is the one selected for this project. Peter is a 34-year old Caucasian man who originates from San Francisco, California. He is married to Fernando, a 33-year old Latino man, who is a first generation American. Fernando's parent immigrated from Cuba before he was born. They live on the outskirts of San Francisco and have been married for three years. They met while in college where Peter earned a business degree, and Fernando earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing. The couple adopted a child about nine months ago from Colombia. The child's name is Jose and he is currently 24 months old. Peter's job keeps him very busy and requires him to travel a lot. Therefore, the primary issue here is balancing work and home life for Peter.
Scope of the Issue
Engagement
When engaging with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) clients, a social worker should first be aware of their own biases of working with the LGBT population (Moe, Finnerty, Sparkman & Yates, 2015). If a counselor holds any bias towards the LGBT community, this can come across during any moment of working with the client. Moe et al. state that social workers should be aware of the history and cultural context to have a better understanding of how to connect and build a rapport with one’s client. Additionally, studying history, cultural and social challenges of the LGBT community may help the social worker empathize with their client. Furthermore, if a counselor is not aware of the stress related to the LGBT lifestyle, it would be challenging to assist the couple in overcoming their family issues.
While conducting an assessment, the social worker must use the all-inclusive language. Often, the first contact with a client is done by general information-gathering tools. Typically these tools use language that leans towards the heterosexual population. To offer comfort and begin to build a welcoming rapport, the language on the forms should read for example *Divorced, Married, Separated, Single Relationship Status: Civil Union, Divorced, Domestic Partnership, Legally Separated, Married, Partnered, Single, Separated, Unknown, Widowed, *Other Name of Spouse Name of Partner Mother/Father Parent, Co-Mother, Co-Father *Sex: Male, Female Sex: Male, Female, Intersex, Other Gender: Man, Woman *Gender Identity: Male, Female, Transgender male to female (MTF), Transgender female to male (FTM), Gender Queer, Other Not Applicable *Child’s Status: biological, adopted, foster Re-wording the assessment tool can empower the client and create an atmosphere of one that welcomes the LGBT community. Of course, the worker should complete the standardized bio-psycho-social assessment, which should include assessing for other risk factors such as substance abuse, suicidal risks, intimate partner violence (IPV). However, Moe et al. also suggest that LGBT clients should be screened for “internalized prejudice” as homophobia and the negative perceptions of the society at large can have an impact on their relationship between Peter and Fernando.
Assessment
While working with individuals or families, the practitioner's goal is to create a change process that helps individuals to improve the fit of the person with their environment. Families as units, also interact with different environments and respond to the pressures, demands, and interactions with other systems. Kirst-Ashman & Hull (2017) mention that the person-in-environment center is based on the constant interaction with numerous systems around the individuals.
When assessing Peter's family as a unit, the practitioner needs to identify the multiple aspects and systems that influence the family as well as each member of the family. Adams, Blumensfeld, Castaneda, Hackman, Peters, & Zuniga (2013) mention that identity formation is a lifelong endeavor that includes discovery of the new; recovery of the old, forgotten, or appropriated; and synthesis of the new and the old.
Peter and Fernando are both professionals who have great significance in their ability of economic value as they both can access social networks and intensify their professional mobility. Fernando's choice to stay at home with the child could put some pressure on the family acquisition ability, pressure on Peter's financial responsibility, and tension on the family relations. Adams et al. (2013) mention that institutional, cultural, and individual practices are related to class privilege, and closely follow by economic capital is generally referred by wealth generated by income.
Fernando is a first-generation American-Latino. He cannot speak Spanish as he was not allowed to do when his parents moved to California. He can understand Spanish and is very closed to his mother and struggles with the relationship with his father. Fernando's father is a traditional, patriarchal male and has severe difficulties with Fernando's sexual identity. Fernando disclosed to the practitioner that he sometimes feels between two different worlds. Fernando feels overwhelmed by his relationships. He wants to make his parents happy. He loves Peter but feels that Peter is drifting away from the relationship and prefers to be at work more than at home. Peter disclosed that he loves and respects Fernando immensely but feels the pressure of keeping the family economic standards and also mentions that he is struggling with fatherhood and feels guilty of not having the same feelings that Fernando has for Jose.
Despite changes and acceptance of the members of the LGBTQ+ community, discrimination and isolation is a day to day topic. California has opened conversations and initiatives to support the community, and since 2015, when gay marriage was legally accepted in the U.S.A., many lives had changed as new families are formed. Powell, Hamilton, Manago, & Cheng (2016) mention that there is little to no evidence that children raised by same-sex couples have different development than those raised by heterosexual families, but there is still a significant difference among policy, rights, and acceptance. Fernando and Peter mentioned that they have a hard time going together to the park, pool, club, or community events with Jose. They have also considered moving to San Francisco as they believed that they would get better acceptance there than where they are now. Moving to the city is expensive. Fernando mentioned that he is not happy living in the community anymore because of the way people are looking at them. Peter understands how Fernando feels but also mentions that this will put more pressure on family finances, and he would have to work more. There is essential parts to consider from all the different systems that are part of the family dynamics that affect the family unit and its ability to participate ability in a change plan.
Interventions
Advantages & Disadvantages
Recommendations for Treatment
Evaluation
References
Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H. W., Peters, M. L., & Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2013). Readings for diversity and social justice. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press
Cobas, J., & Feagin, J. (2008). Language oppression and resistance: the case of middle-class Latinos in the United States. Ethnic & Racial Studies, 31(2), 390–410. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1080/01419870701491945
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., Hull, G. H. (2017). Empowerment Series: Understanding Generalist Practice, 8th Edition [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from vbk://9781337515238
Moe, J., Finnerty, P., Sparkman, N. M., & Yates, C. (2015). Initial assessment and screening with LGBTQ clients: A critical perspective. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counselinghttps://www-tandfonline-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/doi/full/10.1080/15538605.2014.997332
Powell, B., Hamilton, L., Manago, B., & Cheng, S. (2016). Implications of Changing Family Forms for Children. ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY, VOL 42, 42, 301–322. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-081715-074444).
My thoughts
We need to define the problem they are facing in their marriage e.g Peter works all the time without spending as much time with Fernando and Jose And since they are homosexuals culturally they are facing discrimination of some sort. The child that was adopted Jose, doesnt see his father as much as he is supposed to and Peter's partner Fernando is at home taking care of their son , they dont spend as much time as the used to when they were dating.
