Homophobia
Homophobia refers to an array of negative perceptions against the gay, lesbians or bisexual persons in the society that is expressed as discomfort, fear and mistrust. Therefore, homophobia is exhibited in various ways, including negative attitudes and views, being averted to, and prejudice towards the gay, bisexual, and lesbians. The various forms of homophobia are primary informed by fallacious fear and misinformation. Some of the homophobic misconceptions are also based on strict religious precepts and teachings. Besides homophobic standings may be obtained from the developmental nurture, for instance, born with parents with homophobic ideologies. Homophobic in exhibited in different societies in different forms ranging from name-calling to severe forms characterized by bullying, physical violence or discrimination against fundamental rights such as child adoption. Research on the family’s socio-economical aspects will also be critical in backing up my assessment and interventional plans. Besides, I would carry a thorough investigation to establish the legal implications and social impacts of discriminating the couple against child adoption.
Based on the already completed foster children care course and the sincere interest in being parents, the family has a significant potential of caring for the children. Though Joe’s family is unaware of his relationship with Peter, Peters family offered immense social support to the couple, which will be very significant in taking care of them. Peters career as an experienced school also places him with enough experience and knowledge about children; hence; he is in an excellent position to take good care of the adopted child to facilitate cognitive and moral development.
On the micro-level I can offer counselling to the couple on crucial factors considered during child adoption process; this will entail essential information on the need to have an assurance of the regulation of sexual behaviour in the family built by legitimacy and family norms. Under the mezzo level, I will advocate for their right to adopt in the child welfare agency by utilizing research to support my assessment finding to the supervisor. Moreover, I can help set up policies and guidelines with clear non-discriminatory criteria for adoption of children.
The ethical issue in Peter and Joe’s case revolves around the need to protect the children from unregulated sexual behaviours and the legal obligation against discrimination. The problem can be resolved by guiding the couples to develop regulation of sexual behaviour based on legitimacy norms before allowing them a change of adopting a child like any other couple.
The most dominant stereotypes associated with gay and lesbian individuals mainly include an assumption that all lesbians or gay people are promiscuous, the belief that all gay men are paedophiles and a misconception that the bisexual people are always in the run to convert other people. To effectively engage with the clients as a social worker it is essential to approach them with an open mindset with the need to get their views about what they stand for and their perception of other people they live with for instance children. It is also imperative to address the various attitudes and behaviours that maintain oppression against the gays, lesbians or bisexuals in the community.
Peter’s and Joe’s struggle for social justice results from the traditional perception about the moral standards of gay couples and their inability to take good care of children. Based on Cass’s Theory the media has portrayed the gays, lesbians and bisexual in a terrible picture hence perceived as ineffective parents with high potential of tainting the children with their sinister motifs and notions about sexuality.
NASW’s defines social workers’ role to be committed to advocating for social justice by confronting injustices in the community for gay, lesbians and bisexual. NASW’s social injustices include voting rights, environmental inequities, criminal injustices, disparities in healthcare, economic and education injustices.