Abstract The following paper critically analyzes whether divorce is a devastating act that reverberates down the decades, inflicting permanent harm on adults and children or whether it is a healing act for the family torn by conflicts that are far worse than any divorce might be.
From the paper:
? Wallerstein's research is anecdotal, limited to a homogeneous, affluent, Caucasian sample, and was not contrasted with a control group. She did not track similar families torn by conflicts who nonetheless stayed together. Her work's most serious flaw, however, is her skewed sample: every family came to her because they were already experiencing serious problems. And thus her work has been criticized by some colleagues, because it does not take into account the complex tangle of emotions and difficulties that dysfunctional families suffer, whether they divorce or not.?
Abstract This paper investigates the growing problem of homeless children in the United States. It pays special attention to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, which has one of the highest homeless rates in the country. The affects of homelessness on a child is examined, and the author shows how health, emotional development and school performance are adversely affected in these children. Current solutions to the problem are examined, and found to be inadequate, and the need for new, solutions, that will address the long-term needs of this special population is advocated.
From the Paper "According to research done by The Better Homes Fund, homeless children have very high rates of acute illness- half suffer from two or more symptoms during a single month. They suffer twice as many ear infections, five times more stomach problems, six times as many speech impediments, and are four times more likely to be asthmatic. Homelessness also has a huge impact on a child's emotional development, as homelessness presents a myriad of stressful and traumatic experiences. Studies indicate that more than one-fifth of homeless children between three and six have emotional problems serious enough to require professional care and that children between seven and seventeen suffer from very serious mental health problems."
Abstract In this paper, the topic of child abuse is addressed. It begins with providing alarming statistics of the rise in child abuse of the past decades and proceeds to listing factors which contribute to child abuse according to the experts. Poverty is listed as one of the main contributors to child abuse and this correlation is examined. The social and emotional costs to the individual and society are also addressed.
From the Paper "Child abuse is a problem that has a major cost to society. It is said that more children are reported to have sustained abuse and neglect in America than in any other industrialized nation. (CWLA, 1997) Firstly, there is a cost to the child, including a physical one, a psychological one and a social one. The most obvious impact is to the child's health. Annual figures for child abuse have reported over 2 million cases of abuse or neglect and around 2000 child fatalities as a result of abuse and neglect. (NCCAN, 1992) There are also continuing effects on both the child's psychology and their interaction with society. Child abuse is often related to ongoing problems with the child fitting into society. Results that have been shown in studies vary from learning difficulties, depression and anxiety to the child being more likely to take part in antisocial behaviour. (Drucker, 1997)"
Abstract The writer explores how schools in the United States are becoming centers of criminal activities as youth gangs are rapidly emerging in public schools nationwide. He points out that increase in violent activities on school property is directly related to gang presence and summarizes that it is therefore important for school authorities and communities to work closely together for the eradication of this evil because it is leading to increased use of drugs, alcohol, guns and violence on school campuses all over the country.
From the Paper "The presence of gangs in schools is having a negative impact on the school environment and it has been noticed that most children in public schools fear becoming victims of violence because of the anti-social activities of these powerful gangs. Because gangs in schools are usually well organized, their presence on school property often causes terror among other students. Drug trafficking and violence are the two most significant areas of activity for gangs and they usually try to influence school children and authorities by use of force, which is one of the primary reasons behind rising trend in violent activities on school property. In 1992 Bureau of Justice reported that drugs are more readily available in schools where gangs exists than schools without gang problems. This shows that the anti-social activities of the gangs can affect every child as it increases peer pressure because of the availability of drugs and alcohol on school campuses."
Abstract This paper is an overview of Afro-American history, beginning with slavery in the 1700s. The author looks at how slavery affected the nuclear family, both economically and psychologically, and how this pattern continues to be prevalent in today's Afro-American families. Some of the issues discussed include, the owner-slave relationship, marriages between slaves and how slavery affected children and their identity. The paper also looks at the post-Emancipation period and the hardships that the freed slaves continued to encounter including poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination. According to the author, migration from the South to the North was one of the most significant changes that occurred as a result of Emancipation. The Afro-American families' strong bond, which may not be categorized as a
'traditional' but 'extended' family can be traced back to the period of slavery and in this author's opinion, shows the strengths of the community as a whole.
From the Paper "Roberson reported that some of the migrating families were quite large, with six or seven children. It could be very difficult to find housing to old a family of that size, even with extensive family and community support. So often, these parents would have to make hard decisions to break the family apart, at least temporarily. Some of the children would be taken in by aunts and uncles, but given that the extended family was so strong, connected and well bonded together, this wasn?t as wrenching as it might have been. The extended family continued to watch out for and support the new arrivals until they had work and a place to stay. (Roberson, accessed 2002)"
Abstract Postpartum depression is depression that appears shortly before to shortly after a woman has given birth. It can have negative effects on the woman's marriage and in fact on the entire family. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious, common, and treatable condition seen frequently in the primary care setting. This paper defines postpartum depression, discusses the causes behind it, details the range of symptoms, its diagnosis, treatment, and ways to help prevent it.
From the Paper "Researchers and doctors know that women develop symptoms of depression about twice as often as men. It is believed that female hormones contribute to this in some way, as mood swings have been tied to variations in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and birth, and the onset of menopause. Some experts also believe that the extra pressures in many women's lives as they juggle both jobs and home responsibilities, single motherhood, or caring for aged parents may contribute. It's very common for new mothers to experience mild and transient feelings of sadness, irritability or moodiness right after giving birth. When these symptoms are short-lived and not severe, they?re often referred to as the ?baby blues,? and considered a normal variation in mood. "Baby blues" pass quickly and cause no significant problem for either the new mother or her family.
Abstract This paper portrays the problem of teenage pregnancy in America. Statistics are used to illustrate the extent of its occurrence regardless of race and socio-economic circumstances. Reasons are given as to why the phenomenon is so widespread. The paper offers methods for tackling the problem.
From the Paper "The issue of teenage pregnancy has dominated passionate national awareness for more than a generation. However until of late, in spite of many consecutive government and community efforts to overturn the tendency, the unwed teen pregnancy rate continued to climb, from23.9 births per 1000 single female teenagers in 1975 to 31.4 in 1985, and to an all- time high of 46.4 in 1994. From 1975 to 1994, the unmarried teen birth rate almost doubled."
Abstract This paper explores the issues and long lasting results of child abuse to the individual being abused and the society as a whole. The paper defines the different types of child abuse: physical, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse. It describes the legal ramification of harming a child. The author finds that the long-term impact of child abuse on human development is the loss of an individual's ability to build and establish a healthy relationship (sexual or otherwise) with other people.
From the Paper "Child abuse is an issue most people are concerned about today because of its serious, dangerous effects that can cause a "burden" in our society, including the family (especially the abused individual) and legal institutions. It is a social issue because it is widespread in occurrence in the American society, and is affective legally because of the violations the abuser makes to legal law since child abuse/maltreatment is treated as a crime in the justice system of United States. In addition, an individual who has been subjected to abuse is also affected physically, emotionally, or psychologically."
From the Paper "Parents who are convicted of child abuse should have their children taken away from them. This is not a matter of punishment but of recognition of the fact that there is a problem society has to address and that the children need to be protected. First, those parents have abrogated their parental responsibilities and shown that they cannot be trusted. Second, the children will benefit by being taken away from an abusive situation and placed into a loving situation.
"The alternative would be to work to preserve the family group. Attempts to do this are usually made by social workers, who might be brought in at an early stage, before adjudication becomes necessary."
From the Paper "Research demonstrates differences in behaviors of siblings
that are attributed to birth order. Birth order research has been controversial, due to the nature vs nurture dilemma. Many have concluded that firth order effects result from additional factors such as family size or sibling spacing, and parental interactions. This research paper will present findings regarding birth order effects on communication or interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and parental behavior.
Birth Order Effects on Communication/Interaction
Research shows that birth position results in personality tendencies that affect family communication and interaction. First-borns tend to be adult-socialized and second- or later-..."
Examines decline in 20th century of corporal punishment in U.S. Historical overview, legal issues, research studies, implications incl. Problems of violence.
4,950 words (approx. 19.8 pages), 31 sources, 2001, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Introduction
This research examines the decline in the use of corporal punishment in American elementary and secondary schools over the course of the 20th century and the consequences of the fact for the status of American public education, the safety and well-being of teachers, students, and administrators, and the culture as a whole. The plan of the research will be to set forth a historical overview of corporal punishment and recent legislation on the subject, and then to discuss and critically analyze consequences of the shift in thinking and public policy on the matter, with a view toward forecasting possible lines of future rethinking, reform, and development.
The issue of corporal punishment in schools is bound up inextricably with wider-scope issues such as civil society, civil.."
From the Paper "The essence of Hasidism is both its orthodoxy and its passion. Although there are many sects of Hasidic Jews, they all share the fundamental idea that the soul must be on fire for the creator, not for anything else. It is the creator who is at the center of life and all of life is lived in accordance with principles, commandments, and guidelines that have been long-established as likely to lead the community closer to the time of the messiah and the beginning of heaven on earth. With this as its goal, the child-rearing practices of Hasidic families differ from the average American family in many ways. The goal is to mold an observant Hasidic Jew, with understanding of his..."
Discussion of issues: identification & counseling of those at risk, incl. secondary victims (children). Punishment of batterers. Education of healthcare professionals. Public education programs.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 20 sources, 2001, $ 71.95
From the Paper "Domestic violence, now often referred to as intimate partner violence, is almost epidemic in America. The latest National Crime Victimization Survey identified more than 960,000 incidents of violence against a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend occur every year in America alone (Willson et al, 2000). About 85 percent of victims are women. Although women are less likely overall to be a victim of violent crime, they are 8 times more likely than men to suffer violence at the hands of an intimate partner.
A population-based telephone survey in South Carolina in 1998 showed that 25 percent of women and 13 percent of men had experienced some form of intimate partner violence during their lifetime (U.S. Center for Disease Control, 2000). Although women were significantly more likely to experience physical ..."
From the Paper " I. Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Childhood sexual abuse continues to be prevalent and prevention or intervention efforts are considered a failure ("Child," 1999; Gelles, 1998). Childhood sexual abuse results in effects that continue into adulthood. Relationships between this sexual abuse and adult problems such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, attempted suicide, and psychiatric disorders, have been found (McCauley, Kern, Kolodner, Dill, Schroeder, DeChant, Ryden, Derogatis, & Bass, 1997). In addition, effects of this abuse on college students has been indicated by increased drop-out rates for this population (Duncan, 2000). Studies with clinical populations appear to be.."
From the Paper "Facilitating attachment in all infants is essential for them to develop a sense of trust in the world (?Adoption,? 1990, p. 1). Their basic trust in the world forms the foundation for the development of the infants and their interaction with other people and society (Helding, 1994). By trusting their primary caretakers, infants feel safe to explore their surroundings, knowing that their primary caretakers are close to them. Young children often look back to their parents for signs of reactions and support. These interactions and trust lead to internal referencing when the children get older. In making decisions about various activities, they think about their parents? reactions even when the latter is physically not there (Doolittle, 1995). Without a sense of attachment, the children will grow up without acknowledging social standards and the value..."
