From the Paper "The family unit is a society unto itself, dependent on certain rules and modes of conduct that should mutually support its members. However, stress and crises of varying kinds can force this functioning body to change in ways that can have detrimental effects on each member. Drug use can precipitate such a crisis. The purpose of this paper is to discuss how drugs, including alcohol, impact the family. As the research will show, life-long relationships, as well as the financial stability of the unit and the health of all members are affected as a result of these insidious substances.
"When people live together over a period of time, they develop patterns of relating to one another" (Lammana, 1991, p. 514). Any factor that disrupts these expectations marks the onset of a crisis. The insertion of drugs such as marijuana ..."
From the Paper "Child sexual abuse knows no boundaries of color, ethnicity or religion. It occurs in families of every socioeconomic level throughout the entire country. Surveys show that 16 percent of women in the U.S. have been sexually abused by a relative at least once in their lives (Goodwin, 1989). And, the true percentage of males who have been victims of abuse may never be known, since disclosing sexual abuse appears to be more difficult for men than for women (Brassard, Germain and Hart 1987). Across the United States, hundreds of prevention, intervention and therapeutic services exist to aid incest survivors, offenders, families and potential victims. However, experts acknowledge that these services can prove successful only if more is understood about the causes of child sexual ID abuse.
Research has found that one of the main causes of child ..."
Abstract Examines the politics of culture and race as an issue in adoptions and foster care placement. Adoption & foster care policy in the U.S. and its effects. Policy of race-matching and adverse effect on placement of minority & at-risk children. Opposition to transracial placement. Congressional actions to end historical bias against interracial adoptions and foster care placement.
From the Paper "Policy Analysis: Culture and Foster Care Placement
Definition of the Problem
The question of culture and race has been integral to the debate over formal adoption and foster care placement policy in the United States (Banks, 1998). The politics of race and culture as a visible manifestation of racial and/or ethnic differences has been intertwined with adoption and foster care policy in the United States and has resulted in a number of unintended effects. Banks (1998) has pointed out that in both scholarly and public debate centered on this policy issue, there has been a protracted and intense controversy focused on the practice of race-matching, according to which foster care or adoptive children and foster parents or adoptive parents are matched by social work personnel on the basis of race. "
Abstract Discusses challenges confronted by social workers and other counseling professinals who provide intervention and prevention services. Acting-out or delinquent behavior as a feature of adolescent depression disorders. Need for a working alliance between rehabilitation system caregivers, justice system professionals and parents. Theoretical causes of delinquency. Achieving desirable attitudinal change.
From the Paper "Counseling and Juvenile Rehabilitation
Social workers and other counseling professionals are confronted with the myriad challenges of providing effective intervention and prevention services to juvenile delinquents and other adolescents referred to juvenile rehabilitation centers (Miser, 1996). In the mental health literature, acting-out or delinquent behavior is recognized as an associated feature of adolescent depression disorders. These concerns, however, are seldom addressed in the delinquency literature, which tends to position delinquency and acting-out behaviors as independent of other potentially co-morbid conditions or disorders (miser, 1996). For professionals who work with this population, the literature indicates that working alliances between disparate rehabilitation system caregivers, justice system professionals, and parents a ..."
Abstract Proposes a study design to assess impact of childhood abuse on adult adjustment Relationships between early sexual abuse and adult problems (depession, anxiety, drug abuse, attempted suicide, psychiatric disorders. Depression & anxiety in women and men.. Research questions & hypotheses. Methodology. Nonclinical random sample using only self-reports. Data analysis. Review of literature.
From the Paper "EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE ON FEMALE & MALE ADULTS
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). Studies of the effects of childhood sexual abuse on women are more prevalent than those regarding male victims. Those regarding male victims tend to focus on sexual identity issues (Ferren, 1998). Effects of this abuse on ..."
Abstract This paper begins by defining and explaining the problem of violence in high schools - ranging from petty bullying to gun battles leaving students dead. Some causes of the increase in violence are discussed such as violent TV shows, social pressure and the easy availability of guns. Social consequences of high school and gang violence is addressed and some solution are suggested. These suggestions include student tasks forces, workshops and a zero-tolerance attitude towards violent incidences by the school authorities.
From the Paper "The more publicly visible and horrifying acts of violence in American high schools, and junior high schools, this past year have just been the tip of the iceberg. Violence in American schools has increased dramatically - often associated with youth gang activity. In looking at some recent figures for the school year 1996-1997, there were 4,000 cases of rape and sexual assault reported. There were also over 11,000 cases of physical assault reported, including assaults with weapons. This seems to be correlated, to some extent, with an increase in youth gang violence which has more than doubled during the past two decades (Owens, 1999)."
Abstract This paper briefly examines how the recent spate of high school shootings, has brought attention to the crisis of violence afflicting the young generations all over the world. It looks at how one of the possible explanations for youth aggression is the exposure of children to violence in the mass media. It shows how with technological advances, children are constantly bombarded by violent images in movies, television programs and video games. It also looks at how the widespread use of walkmans and portable CD players, heavy metal, rock and rap music also play a large part in introducing children to a world of violence and how consequently, impressionable children are encouraged to act aggressively in an effort to emulate their role models.
From the Paper "Teenagers? lives are dominated by music, whether via the public airwaves or television. Although teenagers may not understand all the lyrics of their favorite songs, they fill in the gaps by watching music videos. Therefore, the effects of the music and lyrics are now bolstered by graphic images from the videos. Unfortunately, music videos often portray violent and negative behavior, such as sexism and substance abuse. Studies of the content of the music videos reveal that about half of thematic music videos contain violence (Mendelsohn, 1989, p. 313). According to research, teenagers who veer towards heavy metal music demonstrate signs of "alienation, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, suicide risk, or risk-taking behaviors during adolescence" (Mendelsohn, 1989, p. 312)."
Abstract The word "family" typically conjures up the image of an ideal household of two parents of opposite sex and their children. The paper shows that gay men and lesbians who seek to legalize their relationships in same-sex unions or gain custody of their children often face an uphill battle in their effort to form a family. Although gay men and lesbians merely want to exercise the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples, conservatives view their effort to legalize same-sex unions as a campaign as a strategy to spread the practice of homosexuality and thus affect public morality. The paper shows that essentially, for the conservatives, the traditional definition of a family that has endured for over 6,000 years is at stake.
From the Paper "Various studies comparing the parenting styles of homosexual and heterosexual parents and the children's development in homosexual and heterosexual households have not been able to validate stereotypical conceptions of homosexual partners as inadequate parents. In fact, the studies frequently show that gay men and lesbians display a greater capacity for parenting (McNeill 3). Furthermore, studies on parent-children relationships have shown that gay fathers are more sensitive towards their children and try harder to be a better parent because of their own experiences (McNeill 7). Ultimately, these studies corroborate the fact that there are many same-sex couples who lead responsible and monogamous lives. The stereotypical perception of gay men and lesbians essentially denies the existence of committed same-sex couples who have formed a "family" for years, like many other heterosexual families."
Abstract In "The Lost Children of Wilder", reporter Nina Bernstein examines the failures, disasters and tragedies that continue to plague New York City's foster care system. The paper shows that to do this, Bernstein tells two stories. The first details the history of New York City's child welfare system, a system that has been ineffective and mired in bureaucracy for the past 100 years. The second story focuses on the lives of Shirley Wilder and her son Lamont, two generations of children who have both been failed by a chaotic foster care system that refuses to reform.
From the Paper "To read The Lost Children of Wilder is an experience in frustration with the seemingly-endless loop of child welfare. The only solution appears to be increasing public funding to the city's shelter system and to mothers like Shirley, so they are in a better position to raise and educate their children. Critics may point out that women like Shirley should not be mothers. However, Bernstein's narrative leads me to believe that rushing children to foster care has much direr consequences, both for Lamont and eventually, the rest of society (who will eventually shoulder an average of $500,000 per child in foster care). After all, it is in everyone's best interests to ensure that all children receive a positive upbringing, with access to education, medical care and physical well being."
Tags: racial, disparities, Justine, Wise, Polier, juvenile, hall, Legal, Aid
Abstract This paper points out that the only consistent approach to the definition of "family" is that, in modern Western culture, family is increasingly being defined not through marriage and biological reproduction but through conscious choice of association. The author stresses that the typology called the Traditional Family Life Cycle, which describes the "five stages" of family life, is open to questions of validity. The paper concludes by discussing TV sitcoms and series that illustrate traditional and alternative family structures.
From the Paper "However, other sources define non-traditional families differently. Blended families are considered examples of non-traditional families. Same-sex couples with children fall either under the single parent or unmarried-couples categories. Extended family is sometimes confined to instances of adult children and grandchildren living with their parents. In reality, extended family situations are often far more complicated, with children shuffled between a wide array of relatives and relatives of all sorts cohabiting with their respective children. Finally, most people considered adoptive families to be somewhat non-traditional; others classify them as traditional. Likewise, foster families seem as if they should be classified as non-traditional families or non-families."
Abstract It was reported that in 2000, there were seven million households with single mothers and children under the age of eighteen, representing approximately ten percent of households in the U.S. This paper examines the problems associated with single parent families, including stress, conflict between the parents and custody problems. The paper looks at the emotional stages which both adults and children involved go through. The paper also discusses several studies done on the subject.
From the Paper "Despite the fact that even the term single parenting brings to many people's mind juvenile delinquency and low academic performance, this does not mean that everyone is against single parenting. Societies are becoming more accepting and accommodating of the changing structures of families. In one survey of 248 undergraduate college students, eighty five percent saw single parenting as a viable option and approved of single parenting. The study also revealed that the attitude is no longer that of single mothers as "young poor woman who becomes a single parent because of carelessness, lack of judgment or desire for a government stipend but that of a mature woman who consciously chooses single parenthood". ( Knox et al, 2000)."
Tags: American, Psychological, Association, socio-economic, status
Abstract The growing movement of the gay rights movement in the United States, Canada and elsewhere has raised some sensitive issues. Not the least of these is whether gay couples should be allowed to adopt children. This paper explores this problem.
Abstract This paper is an examination of the psychological effects of child abuse upon the victims. It defines abuse, describes the specific effects, and discusses the life-long problems that develop as a result of being abused. It observes that most abusers were abused themselves and that the psychological damage that occurs because of child abuse is profound and, in some cases, nearly irreversible.
Abstract This paper discusses the phenomenon of single-parent households and its relationship to the growth and development of juvenile delinquency. It looks at how single-parenthood is an almost automatic first strike against any child, in particular, the inner city youth. The loss of sound guidance and advice forces minority children to find a sense of belonging outside of the family home. Deprived of adequate adult role models, they look instead at images they see on the street or in the media, images that glorify crime and violence. It also suggests a case study to analyze the relationship between single-parent households and childhood propensities for violent and other anti-social behavior.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "The minority child growing up without a father or mother increasingly sees crime, and anti-social behavior in general, as the road to success. His idols are criminals or people who espouse criminal ideals. In a 1997 documentary, Rhyme and Reason, Gangsta Rapper Ice-T was quoted as saying, ?My earliest heroes were drug dealers with gold chains. Once you've tasted the adrenaline rush of crime, you're intoxicated forever. Any way you can't get out of the gang once you've been there, so I have to carry a gun.? (Weems, 1997) While this particular film (according to the review) tries to be upbeat, and purports to show the positive aspects of Gangsta Rap, there is no denying the serious negative impact of words like Ice-T's on the millions of minority youth who listen to Rap Music, and worship figures like himself."
Abstract This paper examines how the history of assignment of custodial responsibility for children when parents separate or divorce has varied more than most people realize. It discusses how American courts, as well as the Anglo system that preceded it, have held various views over the centuries regarding who should take care of children after divorce, with the view that either parent may be the best choice in any individual situation being a relatively new development. By looking at how court rulings have changed, particularly over the last thirty years, it attempts to demonstrate how it is evident that many men can and will do an excellent job of raising their children when called upon to do so.
Outline
History
Current Issues
Fathers? Rights Movements
Examples of Single Fathers
Factors that Help Fathers Win Custody
Joint Custody
Conclusion
From the Paper "Laws have changed to reflect changes in society standards. In 1973, the New York Supreme Court ruled against the automatic assumption that of the two biological parents, the mother is automatically the best parent to receive custody of children in a divorce. They wrote, ?The simple fact of being a mother does not, by itself, indicate a willingness or capacity to render a quality of care different than that which a father can provide.? (Risman, 1985) By 1982 the state of Missouri had acted in a similar way. A Missouri court order from that year states, ??If both parents are employed and equally absent from the home, the mother has no more part in training, nurturing and helping in the child's development; and if everything is equal, the mother has no better claim to child custody.? (Stachewicz, 1993)."
