REQUIRED READING
· Hutchison, E. D. (2019). Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
· Chapter 7, “Young Adulthood” (pp. 231-267)
Review the three case studies and choose one for the Discussion.
Post the following:
· Explain how cultural and socioeconomic status may affect the transition to adulthood featured in your chosen case study.
· Describe two practice skills you could apply when working with the individuals and families in your chosen case study.
Respond to two colleagues:
· Describe an additional strategy each colleague can use to assist working with the individuals and families in the chosen case study.
· Recommend types of supports or resources each colleague could apply with the individuals and families from the chosen case study now or in the future.
Response1
· Explain how cultural and socioeconomic status may affect the transition to adulthood featured in your chosen case study.
“From a psychosocial perspective, young adulthood is the period seen as a time of progressive movement out of an individualized and egocentric sense of self and into greater connection with significant others” (Hutchison, 2018, pg. 235). When this stage is not completed with support and guidance young adults often find themselves feeling alone and alienated. Caroline Sanders is a transgender 23-year-old woman. She received a gender confirmation surgery three months ago and fully identifies as a woman to her family and friends. As a teenager Caroline confided in her family about her gender identity journey and denied acceptance or support. She spent most of her life being bullied in her conservative Northern Virginia town. Her parents forced her to go to therapy and insisted to the therapist that they must fix Caroline. She currently has no relationship with her parents or siblings. “Emotional maltreatment in childhood has been shown to increase depersonalization symptomology, such as emotional numbing and detachment, which is associated with poor psychological functioning in adulthood” (Hutchison, 2018, pg. 252). Caroline’s parent’s detachment and estrangement negatively affected her sense of wellbeing. “Family acceptance of an LGBTQ adolescent is a significant predictor of positive outcomes during the transition to young adulthood” (Hutchison, 2018, pg. 256). Caroline overcame risk factors and beat the odds having an unsupportive family. She stayed true to her identity and found support in her workplace as a young adult. Her HR department was supportive and informative of proper procedures. This finally allowed Caroline to develop a sense of stability and confidence.
· Describe two practice skills you could apply when working with the individuals and families in your chosen case study.
Social workers should assess young-adult clients’ current challenges, vulnerabilities, strengths, and potentials. They should remain culturally sensitive when discussing parental attitudes and expectations. When working with Caroline establishing her goals is important in determining how you should intervene in her life. This includes what is important to her. They should use an affirmative LGBTQ+ practice that rather than generalizes client’s situations looks at the client through their own unique identity. “Three criteria that emerging adults see as signs of adulthood: taking responsibility for yourself, making independent decisions, and becoming financially independent” (Hutchison, 2018, pg. 240). The social worker should work with Caroline to ensure she has accomplished these three things.
Hutchison, E. D. (2018). Dimensions of Human Behavior (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781544339337
Response2
Explain how cultural and socioeconomic status may affect the transition to adulthood featured in your chosen case study.
The transition into adulthood can be a very difficult time for young adults. If that individual experienced a lack of connection, emotional, physical, and financial support as they grew from infancy their transition into adulthood will be harder. Cultural bias that may have been present in their development can hinder them profoundly. A great case study was Caroline. Caroline was met with anger from her parents as well, being shunned and told that something was wrong with her.
Describe two practice skills you could apply when working with the individuals and families in your chosen case study.
Had I been working with Caroline I would have supported her resources that are out there to help individuals like herself that have faced harsh treatment from families and society. It is the responsibility of a social worker to be judgement free and work with a client side by side. Helping the individual navigate through whatever situation they may be facing. To support and individual is to help equipped them to be their own advocate, as well in assisting them with reaching the responsibilities that young adulthood has.
Hutchison, E. D. (2018). Dimensions of Human Behavior (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).
