Reference no: EM133932473

Problem

Case Study: Jax

It is the beginning of the school year in a small, rural town. Jackson is a 12-year-old who has just moved from elementary to middle school. Although they were assigned male at birth and dressed in masculine clothing throughout their early grades, they now prefer to be called Jax and identify as they/them. They also have been experimenting with androgenous and feminine clothing.

Many of Jax's classmates attended the same elementary school and are surprised when they come to middle school and see a very different Jax. There are not many openly LGBTQ+ people in this small town, and many of the students are confused by Jax's appearance and behavior. Students and teachers alike decide that rather than addressing this directly with Jax, they will simply ignore things. Teachers, in an effort to prevent Jax from feeling uncomfortable, avoid calling on them in class and seat them in the back. Classmates talk amongst themselves about Jax but don't engage with them if they don't have to.

Although Jax feels like the outside of their body now better matches the inside, they are confused by the reactions of the people around them. There are episodes of whispering and giggling that make them feel very self-conscious. Most teachers and peers continue to use he/him or even she/her to address Jax depending on their attire for the day. Jax does not want to make people feel uncomfortable, but there are questions that they have and don't know who to ask for support. For example, which bathroom should they use? Which sex ed class should they attend? Can they change their name in the school's computers, so teachers stop calling them Jackson?

Jax tries hard to just be themself, but as time passes, they begin to feel anxious and unwanted at school. During the first month, a handful of parents of other students call the school to express concern about Jax's presence and how their "situation" is handled with regards to bathrooms and gym class. Although Jax is not supposed to know about the concerns, they happen to be in the office when one call occurs. Jax's parents are very supportive of them but are unsure how to meet Jax's needs. They are reading books to try to better relate to their child, but they are learning along with Jax. Jax begins to retreat into themself and avoid social situations altogether.

The only solace they find is in some online chat rooms where people experiencing the same changes and challenges can connect. Jax's parents are worried about them being open and out on the internet and often worry about predators and negative hate comments that anonymous individuals feel empowered to post. However, there is no one else who identifies similarly to Jax in their small town, and Jax has no one to turn to for local, in-person support. Jax frequently tells their parents how there are so many positive people just like them on social media and they are learning from these individuals how to advocate for themself and communicate with others.

Analyze the microaggressions and overt challenges experienced by the adolescent in the case. Use at least three examples from the case to illustrate your points. In your analysis, be sure to explain how different ecological systems in the adolescent's life contributed to their experiences. Get the instant assignment help.

1) Describe two specific ways a school social worker could support the student featured in your case.

2) Describe two strategies that the social worker could use to support all LGBTQ+ students and promote an inclusive environment school-wide.