Assignment Task:
Many of the challenges Mari currently faces in young adulthood surround the topic of financial insecurity, beginning when she aged out of the foster care system. Leaving the foster care system unprepared to take on tasks of young adulthood and being on her own with limited support created struggles of its own. With two young children, Mari struggled with housing instability and homelessness. According to Donaldson et al. (2021), "Unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness face multiple barriers to successfully transitioning into adulthood, including poverty, victimization, disconnection from families of origin, unstable housing, and health risks that result from residing in dangerous and unstable environments." Many of these are true in Mari's situation, making reaching self-sufficiency challenging, a significant milestone of young adulthood.
Mari's educational status is also linked to developmental milestones of young adulthood, such as career goals and financial stability. She did not finish high school or attain a diploma, which limits her employment opportunities, and the lack of job prospects strains her financial capability. In addition, her social environment also plays a crucial role in her struggles. She initially had support from her partner, but he left her to raise her children alone. Without family or community resources to rely on, she is forced to work nights, which further isolates her and creates risks for her children's well-being. The lack of affordable childcare creates a significant barrier to improving her employment situation.
Person-in-environment theory is a perspective in social work that helps us understand human behavior by examining the interaction between individuals and their environments. It emphasizes that a person's well-being, challenges, and opportunities are influenced by personal decisions and social, economic, cultural, and political factors. In Mari's experience, this theory can be applied to help us understand how systemic factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, limited access to education, and employment opportunities significantly impact Mari's life. As stated by (Bender et al., 2015Links to an external site.) in Donalson et. Al 2021, "The lack of support in exiting from foster care and incarceration also contributes to homelessness among youth."
If you agree with your colleague's assessment of the case and presenting problem, add on to the explanation. If you disagree, provide your perspective and justify it with information from the case or Learning Resources. Need Assignment Help?
Identify one resource from your area to provide services for the young adult in the case study your colleague selected.