Abstract
This paper explores the attitude in the UK today, of social workers towards sexuality, noting that they are hesitant about even broaching the subject. The author discovers that, both in the United Kingdom and the United States, most of the attention for this subject has been directed at sexual abuse cases of children and vulnerable adolescents.

Outline:
Introduction
Sexuality as social construction
Marginalization
Same-sex couples and child adoption
Sexuality and the aged
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Within the areas of social work sexuality needs to be debated more openly. But it needs to be done so based on a more sophisticated understanding of sexuality's meaning and power. Before the arrival of Michel Foucault, who as a French philosopher revolutionised our understanding of sexuality, the implications of maintaining attitudes as cited above - both open and hidden - had been scarcely realized. Most of the time people took it on trust, from both popular writers and medical experts, who convincingly based their explanations on a supposedly rigorous scientific footing, that sexuality was in the main a biological construct, with clear demarcations as to what constituted man and woman as well as the purpose of both in the evolutionary scheme of things. (Wilton, 2000, p.163) But more recently, people have come to appreciate how untenable and arbitrary this division could be. This misconception has been expressed by Ann Oakley particularly well."

Tags:social-work, profession, lesbians, homosexuals

Abstract
This paper looks at how differential attitudes towards different social groups - African-Americans, those with minority religious views - leads to differential treatment (and thereby outcomes) for the families of abused children. The paper provides scholarly material supporting the above contention and also looks at what the social work profession can do to discourage such sentiments while simultaneously making itself more responsive to victims. As part of its investigation of this important issue, the paper also looks at Piagetian developmental theory and how the accomodationist processes which are pivotal to the cognitive development of children are profoundly affected by violence in the home going unchecked - in part because of social workers being lax in the discharge of their duties.

Tags:social, workers, families

Abstract
This paper looks at how differential attitudes towards different social groups leads to differential treatment and thereby outcomes, for the families of abused children. The paper provides scholarly material supporting the above contention and also looks at what the social work profession can do to discourage such sentiments while simultaneously making itself more responsive to victims. The writer explores a selected client system and looks at how families existing within different socioeconomic or racial contexts can experience variable treatment at the hands of social workers. Specifically, the paper explores the seriousness with which child abuse is addressed by social workers when that abuse occurs in non-white homes or is perpetrated by a woman and not by a man. The paper also looks at cultural factors which social workers overlook at their peril and what can be done by social workers to mitigate the effects of child mistreatment. In the end, the writer maintains that there are flaws in the system but also hope for the future.

Outline:
Abstract
Family Unit in Different Contexts

From the Paper
"At the same time, social workers face a number of challenges that professionals even a generation or so ago simply did not encounter. For one thing, our society - by which it is meant Anglo-American society predominantly - is changing rapidly and becoming more diverse than in the past. As a result, social workers working with troubled families must deal with cultural and religious assumptions and cosmologies that were scarcely present before the 1970s - or even 1980s. The end result of all this is that people from different cultures must be communicated with in different ways and allowances must be made for the fact that certain procedures - such as physical examinations of an abused child - may cause pain for the non-offending parent (assuming he or she has been reared in a "traditional" faith such as Hinduism) in a way that they would not for someone reared in a more secular manner. Similarly, religious families already wracked by grief or by pangs of guilt do not need social workers to inject their own cynicism about religion into any discussions occurring between the parties."

Tags:counselor, client, system, authorities, professional

Abstract
This paper shows how counseling skills can be used in social work and what social workers can do to take these skills and ensure that as many people as possible are helped. The paper first defines counseling so that there is a clear understanding, albeit in general terms, of what is being discussed in the rest of the paper. Following that, the principles of counseling are discussed so that they too can be clearly understood. Next, some examples are given to illustrate how these counseling skills can be used by social workers. The conclusion ties together all of these issues and shows a cohesiveness between all of the main points that are presented throughout the paper.

Definition of Counseling
Principles of Counseling
Situations in Which Social Workers Would Use Counseling Skills

From the Paper
"Counseling skills can encompass many different aspects of life, and they are of great use to those in social work. Unfortunately, many social workers do not realize just how important these kinds of skills are and therefore do not get the training in them that they really need. Since social workers are not counselors and do not usually see what they do as 'therapy' of any kind, they do not look to counseling as having a place in their work and the families that they often are called upon to help. However, much of what a social worker does for those that need help is actually counseling of a sort, and by learning more about counseling skills those that spend their time in the social work field can utilize what they already know, along with the counseling skills, to help many more individuals and families in new and better ways, which will ultimately be to the benefit of society."

Tags:families, abusive, take, children, homes, foster, care, therapists, advice, help, support

Abstract
The paper discusses the theories of Wilson and Herrnstein who have found that broken homes by themselves do not necessarily cause children to engage in delinquent behavior. These opinions are compared to those of Gorman-Smith et al. who explore the effects of the different types of family problems on delinquent behavior. The writer finds that these studies have serious and important implications for social workers working with families in crisis.

From the Paper
"Reviewing the studies that examine the effect of broken homes on delinquent behavior, Wilson and Herrnstein actually found many studies that did not establish a relationship between family structure and delinquent behavior. Therefore, there is a mixed response towards the association between these two aspects. Wilson and Herrnstein make perceptive observations about the nature of these contradictory findings: the lack of a common definition of a "broken home"; the effects of the surrounding neighborhood; parental traits; and socioeconomic status (Wilson & Herrnstein, 19?, pp. 248-249). Thus, these factors should be considered in such studies in order to create an unbiased experiment."

Tags:delinquent, behavior, abuse, social, family

Abstract
This paper explains that domestic violence and its effect on the child living in a home where spousal abuse is occurring including physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and abuse to property and pets. The author points out that the aims of the proposed study are to isolate central concepts: 1) Defining the range and extent of domestic violence, 2) indirect and direct effects of violence, 3) psychological effects and physical abuse, 4) the "silent child" syndrome and 5) the correlation between age and the effects of domestic violence. The paper relates that the methodology will include a review of literature and a collection of data through interviews with local social workers and other authorities.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Literature Review
Statement of Research Questions
Methodology
Analysis

From the Paper
"One of the significant problems that this study has to face is the way in which data is collected and examined. As much of the literature points out, the ascertaining of data on the effect of family and domestic violence is extremely difficult to do with absolute certainty. This is due to the fact that much of the research on children and domestic violence uses sources such as documentation of children in shelters or houses of safety, as well as from social workers in the field. This does not take into account the large number of children who suffer in silence from the affects of violence without the knowledge of the authorities."

Tags:spousal, abuse, psychological, silent, age

Abstract
The paper discusses the need for a code of ethics for social workers and foster parents. The paper describes the Community and Family Services Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to foster parents who are committed to caring for abused and neglected foster children ages 0 to 18. The paper explores the strict confidentiality rules, the need to avoid dual relationships, the challenge of multiculturalism and the broad ethical issues dealing with permanency for a child. The paper concludes with the writer's personal reflection on these issues.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Description of Work Environment
Social and Cultural Composition
Confidentiality
Permanency for Foster Children
Guidelines for New Professionals
Conclusion
Self-reflective Statement

From the Paper
"Foster Care is a protective service for abused and/or neglected children, ages 0-17, who come from all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds. The primary goal of foster care is to reunite families or to ensure the child will leave foster care for a permanent placement. Until that time these children are in need of temporary substitute family care.
"Before family foster care, children in need of care were viewed by many cultures as being the responsibility of the tribe, clan, or extended family. Early Judaism and Christianity required care of dependent children as a duty under law (Downs, Costin, & McFadden, 1996)."

Tags:multiculturalism, confidentiality, dual, relationships, permanency, adoption

From the Paper
" Introduction
Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of pathological use which impairs social or occupational functioning and lasts for at least one month. Whether alcoholism is a physical, emotional, or mental disease, remains open to debate (Leuin, 1991). It is estimated that there are over 28 million Americans who are the children of alcoholics (COAs), and that around 11 million of this population are under the age of 18. This at risk group of children are brought up in a chaotic family environment, lacking stability and emotional support (Adger, Macdonald, & Wenger, 1999, p. 1091).
Though some will overcome these and other difficulties, many grow up to face alcohol and drug abuse problems or other.."

Tags:DRUGS, ALCOHOL

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that as the most under-reported form of child maltreatment, sexual abuse is an ever-increasing problem. The writer points out that child sexual abuse is not limited to any one geographical area, culture, or society; in fact, it is a global pandemic with children of all races and nationalities at risk for abuse. The writer maintains that every researcher mentioned in this paper would quickly agree that child sexual abuse is a very real and terrible social problem with many negative consequences, and that education appears to be the key factor when it comes to preventing child sexual abuse. The paper's research and studies all reveal that child sexual abuse occurs more frequently than one would assume and that it often goes under-reported, if reported at all. The writer concludes that, unfortunately, there is no clear-cut method for eliminating child sexual abuse, except perhaps through greatly altering the attitudes and motives of those individuals responsible for the abuse.

From the Paper
"Child sexual abuse is perhaps the most deplorable type of abuse, and as the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains, child sexual abuse can occur ''within a family, by a parent, a step-parent, a sibling or some other relative (''Child Sexual Abuse,'' 2008, Internet). In addition, abuse can occur outside of the family and often involves a neighbor, a friend, a childcare individual, a teacher, or even a stranger (''Child Sexual Abuse,'' 2008, Internet), and once sexually abused, a child often develops a range of thoughts, distressing feelings, and behaviors (''Child Sexual Abuse,'' 2008, Internet) which can affect the child for the remainder of his/her lifetime.
"As the most under-reported form of child maltreatment, sexual abuse is an ever-increasing problem. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, only 1% to 10% of child sexual abuse incidences are ever reported, and in a study conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services (1986 to 1993), cases of child sexual abuse and neglect almost doubled, with numbers ranging between 1.4 million and 2.8 million cases (''Darkness to Light,'' 2008, Internet)."

Tags:child, sexual, abuse, social, workers, healthcare

Abstract
This paper deals with what social workers must face in the way of substance abuse and its effects on families and children. First, the effects of the two biggest drug threats, cocaine and heroin, are discussed. Then, the causes and effects of substance abuse, in general, upon family life and stability are reviewed. Finally, this essay defines the role of the average social worker in providing services to families that are experiencing such substance abuse, showing how such professionals can provide help.

From the Paper
"In the past thirty years in the United States, the drug problem among all races, age levels, and social classes has grown to epic proportions. Despite the Reagan administration's well-meaning but failed "War on Drugs" with its harsh legislation and harsher criminal penalties for drug users and dealers, despite more vigilant law enforcement, despite programs in schools such as D.A.R.E., and despite heightened media awareness and coverage of the drug problem and illegal drugs' harmful social and physical effects, drug use has continued to grow in this country. And with this increase in drug addiction and abuse have come the obvious harmful effects on users' and addicts' families."

Tags:socialwork, drugs, family