Parental Risk Factors And Child Maltreatment Social Work Essay

Parental Risk Factors And Child Maltreatment Social Work Essay It is staggering to know that thousands of children are maltreated in ways that are detrimental to their developmental and psychological growth. Widespread concern about the issue was initially triggered in the 1960s to raise awareness of the plight of the battered child. Research has recognised numerous risk and protective factors commonly associated with child abuse. This essay will deal with the parental risk factors and will take into account the measures that afford protection against them. Some forms of child maltreatment are related to parental competency due to age, temperament or a personal history with child abuse. However, a good deal of abuse and neglect is linked to sources of stress where marital conflicts, domestic violence, and the lack of a stable social network play significant causal roles. Having said that, no single factor can be definitive in determining risk and so they require simultaneous consideration. Despite the causes, family protective factors can reduce maltreatment rates by promoting positive parent-child relationships, encouraging extended family support and by building parental resilience. When addressing the question of intervention, knowledge of the risk and protective factors implicated in child mistreatment can minimise risk. By recognising the complex interaction of factors that affect susceptibility to maltreatment, professionals can implement programmes specifically designed to protect children at risk. Therefore understanding the causes of maltreatment is crucial to preventing the problem. Child maltreatment is a complex and pervasive problem that cuts across all sectors of society, where even defining the term ensues in an inherent complication. During the 1960s, the growing prevalence of abused children lead to the introduction of the term battered child syndrome. This term, seen as a narrowly defined, was broadened so as not to simply infer to physical abuse. In 1997, the World Health Organisation drafted a definition of child maltreatment to encompass both emotional and physical injury but also negligent treatment. Risk factors are characteristics where certain behaviours or conditions will likely play a contributory role in child mistreatment. Although some are not direct causes, circumstances in which these factors exist make a child highly vulnerable to experiencing maltreatment. However, there are also factors that offer a protective effect which mediate against risk and therefore can increase the well-being of children and families. When determining risk in familial child maltreatment, it is necessary to examine the role of the parent as he is often the direct perpetrator. Temperament is significant when trying to understand why parents abuse their children. Influence of an individuals psychological capacity on parental functioning can be found in investigations of mentally disturbed adults. Baldwin, Cole and Baldwin (1982) have revealed that families with a parent suffering from a psychotic disorder were less interactive and exhibited less warmth than families without. Mental illness can distort a parents judgement to a point where he is no longer competent to make decisions about a childs needs. Strong evidence implicating psychological factors in the etiology of child maltreatment derives from reports of intergeneration cycles of abuse (Spinetta and Rigler, 1972; Sherrod, et al., 1986). Parents who were victims of child mistreatment themselves gives rise to the common perception that being a victim is a determinant for turning into an abuser, yet there is a lack of substantial evidence. Undoubtedly, a history of abuse is a considerable risk factor alone but child maltreatment is determined by a complex interaction of rick and protective factors; factors which differentiate between repeaters and non-repeaters. Notwithstanding, parents who were mistreated as children are less likely to become victimisers if they resolve internal conflicts related to that history of abuse. To further reduce risks, it is also important if parents have a supportive spouse and good social supports (Hunter and Kisltrom, 1979). However, adults who were rejected as children become emotionally insulated from interpersonal relations and are unable to give affection or form a close bond with their children (Kempe and Kempe, 1978). This returns attention to the psychiatric make up of the individual abuser and shows how interrelated causal factors are. Competent parenting can also be associated with psychological maturity; another determinant of maltreatment. Therefore, age serves as a indication of maturity and parental aptitude as young mothers may posses less desirable child-rearing attitudes than older mothers. Having said that, age also accounts for poor or inaccurate parenting skills as teen-parents will lack the fundamental understanding of a childs needs. Having unrealistic expectations about a childs progress may culminate in inappropriate punishments where conclusive studies presented by Straus (1992), and Flanagan et al., (1995), report that teenage mothers tend to exhibit higher rates of child abuse. Protective factors aimed at minimising these risks should support parents with their child-rearing skills and teach sensitive parenting techniques. By providing parent education classes for new and especially for teen parents can inform them about normal child development and what to expect from their children at specific ages. Yet, this protective factor is not well-suited for all as some parents may be reluctant to attend parent-group meetings. Social conditions create stresses that undermine family functioning where specific situations may exacerbate certain emotions of the family members affected. Hostility and frustration can resultantly aggravate the level of familial maltreatment. Marital relationships serve as a principle support system for parents and so conflicts can elicit child maltreatment. Family dissolution can burden an individual and research indicates that children living with single-parents may be at a higher risk of experiencing abuse and neglect than children with two biological parents (Finkelhor, et al., 1997). The sole burden of family responsibilities linked together with fewer supports can contribute to the risk of single-parents mistreating their child. Children in violent homes who witness intimate partner violence are subsequently at risk for being maltreated themselves. Appel and Holden (1998) have found that spousal abuse and child maltreatment co-exist in 30-60% of families. Even if children are not maltreated, they still experience harmful emotional consequences as witnessing violence teaches likewise behaviour or warrants it as appropriate and the child may resort to using violent action later in life. This draws attention back to the victim to offender hypothesis. In addition to a family system, interpersonal relations, between relatives and friends are essential when considering risks. Parents who are isolated with few social connections are at higher risk for maltreating their children. Hetherington, Cox and Cox (1977) have found that the support received from significant others exert a beneficial impact on parent-child relations. This data shows how a stable social network is positively linked with parents sense of competence in the care-giving role and evidently can lessen maltreatment rates. But its not merely about having several social connections but the quality of them as-well. It is interesting however that in these cases of support, the mediating role of the parents psychological well-being is pivotal. Marital relations do not influence parenting directly but instead promote positive attitudes in an individual and thereby influence parenting capabilities (Gamble and Belsky, 1984). Similarly, social relations may serve to enhance the psychological functioning of the parent. Sources of stress and support thus strongly affect parental competence, as although unfavourable relations contribute to the etiology of abuse, the quality of the relationship is influenced by personality; correspondingly, they produce bi-directional affects. Parental substance abuse, is also predictive of child maltreatment when daily stresses of raising children prove challenging especially when accompanied with multiple life stressors such as an history of abuse or marital conflicts. Substance misuse interferes with mental functioning and subsequently make parents less available to children, as Forrester (2000) confirms that substance abuse is strongly related to neglect. It may also explain some of the attachment difficulties that can occur, since healthy development requires parental responsiveness to the needs of a child. Being intoxicated can again negatively influence parental discipline choices and lead to violent tendencies towards a child. Simultaneously, these risk factors can affect a parents capacity to cope effectively but by reaching out to a support system can help build resilience against stressful circumstances. The interactive play of risk and protective factors provoke familial child maltreatment but it can be prevented regardless. Early identification of causes and outlining the compensatory factors can lead to effective interventions to protect the child involved. Helfer and Kempe (1976) have argued that preventing child abuse entails predicting its occurrence. Therefore, it is clear that professionals need awareness of the several factors that create contexts for maltreatment so that intervention programmes employ a multi-sectoral approach. By acknowledging the factors, intervention strategies can be implemented to minimise the underlying risks; encourage reaching out to family and friends, but also to strengthen the protective factors; advanced prenatal care and home-visitor networks (Halperin, 1979; Parke Collmer, 1975). Moreover, when enforcing intervention strategies, the treatment of parents should be coordinated to that of children as the potentials for change in parent-child relationships and parental attitudes is maximised (Olds, 1983). However, risk factors have limitations in predicting specific instances of abuse as the determinants in one family may not necessarily result in child maltreatment in another. Furthermore, an individual may not have the emotional resources to cope adequately with the demands of parenting and so intervention must be able to address these implications. Additionally, extensive evaluations need to be conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of short and long-term intervention programmes.

Does Democracy Ensure Freedom Essay

Does democracy ensure freedom? I believe democracy can ensure freedom, but not always, thus my answer is maybe. For democracy is a form of government that rely on a system of law in which individuals are treated equally while having fair access to the legislative process through electing official who will act in their constituent’s interest and voice their concern. Through proper protection with legislation, individual’s freedom can be ensured. Yet the nature of democracy favour majority thus it is possible for politician to cater to the mass to secure vote and have access to the seats of power. Democracy is unable to act if the votes are tied, such flaw can leads to politician abuse their power tilting the result either way to further his own goal. If elected official no longer voice the population yet game the system by continue to appease the majority, minority right and freedom can not be ensured. Government ultimately objective is to govern the people for the betterment of people, thus democracy reflects the need for it is form of government allowing people’s voice being heard through the elected officials. Each voter’s vote count and the majority trumps. Elected official then go on legislate laws that regulation that resolves the population’s concern. Such fair access to the legislative process and equality before law ensure the population to be protected, the law are made by them and for them, protecting their freedom and rights. But democracy also follow majorities rule. It is possible for 49% of population to lose out simply because of the 2% difference. Yet if rights are cemented fully protected via charters, even minorities can escape such tyranny. Unfortunately, elected officials can not always complete reflect the desire of the entire population. They are at best incomplete projection if not catering to special interest or simply the mass for the system favours the majorities, and once tied vote occurs. The decision will lie solely on those in power. For few individuals to be able make decision that influence a nation, such power can be attractive if not lucrative, for there is motive and it is not hard to imagine such corruption taking place. Once a politician is no longer serveing the voter but himself, without proper check and balance for the government to self correct such mistake. It is to picture minorities right and freedom being sacrificed for the corrupted official to stay in power. The key all hinges on the soundness of said country’s legal system, if a government official have the power to alter laws, taking away rights and freedom as he pleases. The freedom can not be ensured. Yet, with a proper procedural fair legislative system, the inbuilt checks and balance will stop said corrupted official overstepping his position. The electoral system will kick in which official will be replaced if they do not deliver what is expected off them. With a solid charter of rights, even minority’s innate rights and freedom can be protected against majorities for the inalienable rights protect each of us and allow us to maintain the dignity we all possess. Freedom is the concept that verges upon the condition in which individual live their life accord to their free will. For they make their own choices without facing disabling condition nor the pressure of simply fulfilling the basic necessities of life. We choose how we present ourselves to the world and how we communicate our idea and thoughts. We decide on how to live our life, from our goal to our means of achieving said goals. Yet these seemly innate right are in fact fragile and vulnerable. The nature of government impose rules and regulation with our daily life. Our freedom is merely conditional, for we can only exercise our right and freedom to a certain extent. As matter of fact, our right and freedom can be taken away by the same law that protect our rights and freedom. But that is the truth of reality, freedom without bound is impossible. The physicality of reality impose restriction, scarcity of recourse and mortality of men. Civilization dictates rules from punishment of crimes to shame and guilt through morality. Thus government, a form of rule, can not truly ensure freedom for its conditional and with limits. Men has long realize such limitation, yet we still yearns for such notion for we are driven by our free will and we seek create such system for we are protected from not just each others but ourselves’ own infringement of rights and freedom. Democracy is still our best attempt at this unrealistic dream, the approach is simple, for a system of law made by people for people. We strive to effectively govern ourselves and keep our right and freedom. It is understandable to treat the question â€Å"does democracy ensures freedom ? † in an bifurcate manner. It is easy to state the fact that democracy is simply mob rules thus two wolves can vote having the sheep for dinner against the one lone sheep’s objection. Yet it seems silly to categorize a whole country’s population into a predator/prey relationship, not to mention having a sound legal system in which inalienable rights of human beings are guaranteed can indeed prevent the two wolves ganging up on the sheep, minorities can still be sufficiently protected by law if the charter of rights allows. Further more, freedom can only be secure via proper system of law that protect human right and freedom, types of government should not be the deciding matter for ensuring freedom. As the above paragraphs have shown, democracy either ensure nor deny freedom, while there is no true freedom under any form of government for by definition of government, restriction and restraints are naturely imposed upon individuals. I still consider limited conditional freedom preferable to none for my inalienable right are protected even against the tyranny of majorities for this rights are inalienable. While democracy can allow favour toward the majorities and official in position of power, with proper checks and power established within the government, such issue can be self corrected. But without the legal safenet, minorities can easily been swapped up by politician’s agenda and sacrificed to the tyranny of majorities. As a partying thought, if no form of government can achieve true freedom, what is the future of democracy with our society?

The Between Cressida And Troilus And Cressida Essay

PANDARUS [†¦] Have you any eyes? Do you know what a man is? Is not birth, beauty, good shape, discourse, manhood, learning, gentleness, virtue, youth, liberality, and so forth the spice and salt that seasons a man? CRESSIDA Ay, a minced man†¦ (1.2.231-236) This conversation between Cressida and Pandarus demonstrates the representation of masculinity in both Coriolanus and Troilus and Cressida. Each of them is concerned with ideas of honour and military prowess in relation to the male identity, drawing on the masculine ideals of Roman antiquity – a prominent notion during the early modern period – as is evident in Pandarus’ notions of ‘what a man is’. Shakespeare does not, however, endorse these notions in the plays; his handling of the subject is reminiscent more of Cressida’s response in this passage, suggesting that the same qualities which make a man can also effeminize him. 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Connecting Character - Job and Adam - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 924 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2019/10/10 Did you like this example? Paradise Lost presents the character of Adam as that close to the most perfect imaginable human being. Adam is presented to have very strong and attractive physical features, profound spiritually, and with mental proficiency. After God completed His work of creation, he put Adam the one in charge of all of God’s creations. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Connecting Character Job and Adam" essay for you Create order Adam was given the responsibility of taking care and being the head of God’s creation because God had created him in a special and perfect manner (Langford 119). He stood out in the Garden of Eden because no other living thing would compare to him. Adam demonstrates a respectful character irrespective of the status of who he relates with. Adam is obviously superior than Eve and other animals but he inferior to the Angels of God and to God Himself. He does not discriminate and he accords proper respect to the animals, Eve, plants Angels, and God in his graceful manners and speech. Adam converses with Eve in a very formal way. The conversation between then shows that Adam is more superior in the relationship than Eve though. Adam thinks that Eve is capable of preparing them a good meal and he trust her for it. By entrusting on Eve to prepare them a good meal does not indicate a dismissal but an acknowledgement that Eve is more talented and informed in the situation concerning food in the Garden of Eden that Adam. This shows that Adam has a clear understanding of the responsibilities accorded to different people, plants, and animals towards one another and in the service of the world. Adam uses a similar tone during his conversation with Angel Raphael. The way he welcomes the angel is with grace and respect that indicate the superiority of Raphael as an Angel. He accords respect to Angel Raphael acknowledges that the Angel knows a lot about the heavens(Langford, 119). He spend time with the Angel with an aim of learning more about astronomy, the story of creatio n, and about the heavens. This search of knowledge is an indication that Adam was intellectually gifted and curious about why and how things happen. The tone in Adam speech changes after his fall. He openly blames Eve and Eve blames him for the sin. Their relationship turns to become querulous. It is through the effort of Eve that reestablishes the proper initial relationship between Adam and Eve which rekindles the love Adam felt for his wife Eve. The relationship between Angel Raphael and Adam also shows some dynamics after the fall of Adam. This manifest the changes exerted to the relationship between Angels and man that resulted from sin(Langford, 119). Adam is characterized by anger, self-pity, self-doubt, and sullenness after the fall. Although the love Eve showed him played a part in bringing him back to the righteous path, the old perfect Adam was already gone and the current Adam was just ordinary and good. The book of job present job as a blessed man based on how it impressively describes him. Job was blessed with a lot of physical possessions among them being a number of sons and daughters, camels, cattle, sheep, and servants. The people of his time highly regarded him mainly because of extraordinary riches. One can confidently say that job was perfect, not one who is free of sin because all men are sinners but, because he was spiritually whole and observed morality (Fiorello, 170). His perfection is manifested by his ability to control himself entirely and his integrity. Job was also a good man who felt pride from helping others. He was quick to help those in need and did not discriminate them because he was rich. Job is also described as an upright and righteous man. He lived according to what the word of God expected of him. According to men, Job was a blameless and perfect man but according to God, he was upright and righteous. Job always did what would please God and not what would please man or his culture. The fact that job was a gentile did not stop him from obeying God. Gentiles were not among the God’s chosen people(Fiorello, 170). As a gentile, the Ten Commandments were not available for Job but he still knew what to do to please god. This made him special and naturally upright. The book of job characterizes job with tremendous fear of God. This explains his righteous and blameless life that he led. In his undertaking, Job sought to honor God in everything. His respect for God was mainly because he feared what was likely to happen in the event where he failed to please God(Fiorello, 171). He was always doing the right thing because he knew that God was always watching him and he didn’t want to displease him in any way. As much as Job was a powerful and rich man he perfectly understood that he wouldn’t handle the wrath from God. He understood that god was just, holly and righteous, but He is also slow to anger. This is why Job was afraid of provoking God’s wrath. In conclusion, the character of Job in the Book of Job and the character of Adam in Paradise Lost shows some connections from the discussion above. Both men are seen to be perfect in their distinctive situation. They are also favored of God: Job is given riches and is highly regarded by his community, Adam was created in the likeness of God and was given power and responsibility over all other creations.