Reconsidering "advocacy" in social work from a relational perspective: Beyond the adult guardianship system

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K02251
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Rikkyo University
• Principal Investigator: IIMURA Fumie 立教大学, コミュニティ福祉学部, 准教授 (10516454)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 主体性 / 関係性 / 人権モデル / アドボカシー / 支援付き意思決定

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, Japanese society has tended to be dependent on the adult guardianship system. The results of the questionnaire survey conducted in this study indicated a high positive evaluation of the system, but it was difficult to say whether the participants 'initiative was being demonstrated. Additionally, it was noted that there was a loss of tolerance and spaciousness in society and the understanding towards people in need of support declined.
The results also suggested that attention should be paid to the human rights model of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Rather than an easy-going way in which authorized other persons make decisions, there is a need to reconstruct the right to life based on human dignity, ensuring that we live with others in diversity.
The process of building a network in the region and creating a relationship with individuals is important because persons with disabilities must rely on the system due to their isolation from society.

Free Research Field

社会福祉学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、社会福祉学を専門とする研究代表者が、法学及び社会福祉学、行政学等の知見を有する研究者、社会福祉専門職、法律専門職等とのヒアリング及びアンケート調査等を通じて、実証的に成年後見制度が有する問題点の構造を明らかにし、さらに、国際的潮流を見据えつつ、今後の方向性を見出そうとした点に学術的な意義があると言える。
成年後見制度は、民法に基づく制度であるが、社会福祉実践と密接に関係しており、本研究において、その基本構造に生存権を位置づける必要があることを示唆した点は、今後の研究の深化が必要であるが、これまでの研究にはみられない独自性を有すると言えよう。