Supporting self-determination: a recognition-theoretical perspective on young adults’ social work encounters

Abstract

This article examines ways to support young adults’ self-determination in social work practice from the perspective of Axel Honneth’s recognition theory. Honneth’s theory emphasises the relational aspect of self-determination and suggests that supporting young adults’ self-determination in social work entails more than merely respecting their right to it. The active support and encouragement of social workers are also required to enable and create opportunities for young adults to exercise self-determination. The data consist of individual and group interviews with a total of 24 young adults and was analysed abductively, with the findings being grouped into three themes: (1) being heard and having an influence, (2) being recognised as worthy of respect and (3) being supported as a person capable of self-determination. The results demonstrate the practical applications of Honneth’s theory of recognition to identify concrete ways social workers can support young adults’ self-determination, and how recognition and misrecognition affect young adults’ ability to be self-determining.