Conclusion

Oppression & Discrimination

During the completion of this project, I learned how influential society’s expectations can be on an individual’s decision-making. Although I was familiar with the concept of maternity homes, I had no idea how widespread forced adoptions were during the “Baby Scoop” era. The liberalization of social mores is a privilege for those of us who chose early parenthood without the possibility of being outcast by society at large.

Another topic I broached was the differentiation in how young parenthood is perceived according to race. The introduction of alternative or maternity schooling had very stark implications for Black girls, who often were unable to afford rescue home placement.

One of the weaknesses in strategies that address discrimination against nontraditional students is that many programs take root at the intersection of morality and patriarchy, not the mothers’ and fathers’ well-being. When society accepts the validity of women’s reproductive rights and the value of equitable opportunity for education, more strides can be made toward student parent success.

Ethical Considerations

Referencing the NASW Code of Ethics, two particular concerns were apparent while reviewing research.

1. The social workers’ ethical responsibilities to clients were compromised.
   Before Title IX was signed into law, students’ (clients’) rights to self-determination and informed consent, as detailed in parts 2 and 3 of the first ethical standard, were violated. Girls were expelled at the discretion of their schools and their parents, or sent away to maternity homes and forced into adoption, with no prior knowledge or consent.
2. The social workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals were compromised.
   Parts 1 and 2 of ethical standard number 4 state that social workers should engage only in competent practice and refrain from discriminatory practice. Again, before Title IX was established, school administrators were led by their personal beliefs to interrupt student parents’ education and prioritize their roles as parents, with little understanding of the students’ unique needs.

The most prominent ethical principles in how the problem of education inequity for student parents was defined were:

1. Social workers challenge social justice.
   The ruling in Ordway v. Hargraves and the passing of Title IX of the Education Amendments are examples of social workers pursuing change on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations.
2. Social workers respect the inherit dignity and worth of the person.
   Placing the power to choose which educational setting is most beneficial for learning is an act of self-determination that social workers extend to pregnant and parenting students.
3. Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.
   Providing timely and on-topic information about students’ rights under Title IX provisions exemplifies the sixth ethical principle.

Social Work Professions

Some major contributions to contemporary social work practice extended from the history of vulnerable student parents are:

• The reconsideration of ethical standards in conducting adoptions in America.
• The empowerment of young parents to take charge of their career trajectory.
• The humanization of unwed, pregnant mothers to local school systems and the federal government.

Personal Statement

Completing this project lent depth and dimension to my understanding of the social work profession, namely how social worker’s can advocate for and affect social change. I learned the importance of the literature review to current research, and how understanding the evolution of policy change informs how future policies are enacted.

As a professional social worker, I want to present marginalized communities of women with timely, culturally sensitive information that allows them to advocate for their reproductive justice. I want to influence laws regarding women’s birthing and body rights. My wish is that women receive equity in higher education and the workforce, that our choices to be parents do not negatively impact our career success.