Respond to two classmates social work discussion posts

• Respond by Day 6 to at least two colleagues by offering one skill you might recommend your colleague use to overcome differences in personal values when working with Eboni given your colleague’s position on teen preganacy and abortion.  

DISCUSSION POST #1:

Eboni Logan presents as a 16 yr old teen that is dealing with an unexpected teenage pregnancy and has sought the assistance of a social worker to help her navigate her feelings and consider her options on what she should do concerning her unexpected pregnancy (Plummer, Makris & Broksen, 2014). During the interview the social worker respond insensitively by saying, “Oh Eboni, why?” and “Did you want to get pregnant?” These statements are neither gender sensitive nor culturally competent. The social worker also stated, “Did you use protection?” and “Do you know who the father is?” which also judges the client and could make her feel ashamed and ultimately damage the therapeutic relationship.

As a social worker she should consider the population she works with. If I worked regularly with teen populations, I would be knowledgeable about their culture and would know that the subject of sexual activity is normal.  This teen presented in a crisis situation and proceeding to make judgmental statements may cause them to not seek further assistance. As mentioned in our textbook, “Practitioners should identify and focus on female clients’ strengths (Krist-Ashman & Hull, 2015).”  As a social worker, I could help Eboni find her voice and empower her to make this life changing decision. We are there to provide support and help her weigh all her options and consider all the challenges she might face regardless of the personal decision she makes in the end.

I do not feel I would face any barriers when working with this client. I believe that every person has the right to choose and I would not let my own personal feelings get in the way. I personally would keep the baby if I found myself in that situation but if my daughter got pregnant, I would support whatever decision she makes. I work with teens on a daily basis and face these situations often. I would offer her support and empower her right to choose. “Women can experience sexism, gender-role sterotypes, oppression, and sex discrimination (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2015)” so they should not face these obstacles in a therapeutic setting.

References

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2015). Understanding generalist practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

DISCUSSION POST #2:

I found this video very discouraging, because the social worker lacks empathy, professionalism, and sensitivity. Her first response, “Oh Eboni, why?” was insensitive and immediately showed judgement on her behalf. Then, with her follow up about whether or not Eboni used protection or wanted to get pregnant, it was clear that Eboni felt defensive in her responses. This social worker made a sensitive situation even more difficult for Eboni.

The Code of Ethics states, “Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living” (NASW, 2008). This social work was not culturally competence or gender sensitive. Not only is Eboni an adolescent girl, she is African American and taking both factors into account is important in determining how to respond to her. It’s also crucial for the social worker to have an understanding of Eboni’s culture and family dynamic to be able to assist her in making the best decisions moving forward.

I would not have any personal barriers that would prevent me from working with Eboni and being able to assist her in making the best decisions for her situation moving forwards. Although I do have my personal beliefs about abortion, I am able to put them aside and understand that each individual’s situation is different, and that they are multiple factors affecting this difficult decision.

National Association of Social Workers (2008). Code of Ethics. Retrieved March 10, 2016,

from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

REQUIRED REFERENCES:

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H., Jr. (2015). Understanding generalist practice (6th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014a). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].