Category: Child

Childhood lacks a universal definition due to various shifts in child research and interpretations overtime (McNamee, 2016). Initial views of children were dominated by developmental psychologists, primarily focusing on physical development into adulthood (Wyness, 2011). Therefore, scientific research of the positivist paradigm dominated child research. Yet, the emergence of the social study of childhood, not only recognised the taken-for-granted element of childhood, but also acknowledged that childhoods are merely socially constructed (James, et al., 1998), therefore based on societal perspectives and attitudes (Stainton Rogers, 2003). Consequently, the interpretivist paradigm dominated child research, considering children’s views and experiences instead.

The Social Construction Theory (SCT) was established by Sociologists Luckman and Berger, describing how people in society participate in the reality constructed by their surroundings, through spreading concepts which eventually become embedded in tradition (Coster, 2007). Consequently, in the context of childhood, social constructions are centred around time and place (Montgomery, 2003). Western childhood constructions include: The Puritan discourse, in which public perceptions of children was evil and wicked; the Blank Slates discourse in which childhood was a period of becomings; the Romantic discourse- childhood as a time of innocence (Montgomery, 2003). Shifts in discourses had an impact in the treatment of children and adults alike. These discourses will be explored throughout the essay alongside key themes of social construction of childhoods, including agency, socialisation and corporation.

The Museum of Childhood (MoC) was developed in London, as a physical space, dedicated to showcasing artefacts which demonstrate the aforementioned discourses and key themes throughout the social constructions of childhood. Agency, which explores an individual’s ability to be independent (James & James, 2012) enables children to implement changes in social issues (Mayall, 2002). A paradigm shift of the SCT not only rejects children as social beings, but also asserts children are not recipients of socialisation (James & James, 2012) Consequently, children construct mutual values and beliefs. Traditionally, absence in politics for children warranted a lack of social and personal autonomy (James, et al., 1998). But an alternative form of childhood allowed children, through protests, to participate in politics. This contrasted my own experiences in the School Council, as issues were fed through senior teachers.

School Strikes 4 Climate, fore-fronted by sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg, consisted of children not attending school on Fridays to protest the government’s apathy towards climate change (Connect, 2019). Additionally, these protests are supported by Article 13 of the UNCRC (1989), enabling children to freely express themselves using their desired medium. Through powerful phrases, such as “our lives are in your hands” (Thunberg, 2019, p.5), Thunberg’s power and influence as a key social agent had monumental influence with adults, since millions internationally participated in the Global Climate Strikes (Singh, et al., 2019). In fact, Thunberg’s successful exercise of agency has resulted in predictions in surges of more protests. Therefore, the curriculum should provide opportunities reflecting this. (Holdsworth, 2019). Ultimately, the power of agency and the shift in children’s active role in socialisation, through having mutual values over the concerns of climate change and channelled collectively through protests, have confirmed the shift in the social construction of childhood as historically, children did not engage in politics.

However, the MoC’s depiction of climate change only mentions Thunberg. Part of the temporary Extinction Rebellion exhibition, this may have been purposefully constructed to attract the most visitors, due to Thunberg’s popularity. Subsequently, the efforts of children of colour, including Mari Copeny and Isra Hirsi (Burton, 2019) have not been championed to the same scale. Furthermore, Extinction Rebellion has received criticisms for being a wholly middle-class, white group in its membership. (Cowan, 2019). Therefore, the sole endorsement of Thunberg may alienate young climate activists of colour, who may neither be represented nor endorsed otherwise. Hence, children in the global north can exercise their agency but the media’s coverages provide significant attention to specific activists.

The extension of childhood protects children by lengthening their time in education (Museum of Childhood, 2019). Both Aries (1996) and Hendricks (1997) conducted historical examinations of attitudes regarding childhood and education. Aries (1996) compared medieval schooling, which focused on disciplining children, against the modernisation period, which shifted the focus on children gaining knowledge instead. Similarly, Hendricks (1997) compared the ‘delinquent child’ public attitude of the seventeenth century against the “school child” attitudes of the eighteenth century. The former reflects the human ‘becomings’ theory as children are passively expected to integrate into society as adults (Qvortrup, 1987), whilst the latter reflected as human ‘beings’ since children exercise social agency and construct their childhood, through exploring educational interests (Brannen & O’Brien, 1995)

Furthermore, these two discourses also paved the way for Godfrey to not only attend school as a female, but also develop interests in science through education in the 1960s. Both the modernisation period of education and the ‘school child’ discourses also brought change within the socialisation theory as children were now viewed as “blank slates/tabula rasa”, with the desire to actively explore knowledge, instead of passively receiving knowledge from adults (McNamee, 2016, p.18). Therefore, these two similar discoveries of contrasting discourses distinguished two types of childhoods (Wyness, 2011) and thus, the latter discoveries of this construction have had a longer-term impact, reflected in today’s education.

Despite Godfrey exploring biology through science education, Aries’ initial investigation of the modernisation period prohibited girls, since girls prioritised domestic responsibilities (Gittins, 1998). Furthermore, Godfrey’s pursuit of a scientific career was an anomaly for a young girl of the 1960s. Typically, gender socialisation through the hidden curriculum, would influence girls to study subjects in line with gender expectations, such as textiles (Lawson et al, 2009). Godfrey’s interest in science, under gender socialisation would match boys’ expectations instead. Nevertheless, The MoC may have included Godfrey’s example to stray away from typical gender socialisation, and thus increase the demand for girls to pursue scientific subjects, as figures of women in computing degree programmes, the subject Godfrey studied, reduced to 13% in 2014, from 14% in 2010 (Peers, 2018).

The emergence of a subjective, child-orientated society also saw the development of Kinderculture- the concept of corporations marketing directly to children (Steinberg, 2011). Kinderculture had marketers recognising that all children, irrespective of class or stage in education, enjoyed watching television and playing with toys (Steinberg, 2011). So, children exhibited commercial agency by exploring the characters through costumes and other fashion accessories, to demonstrate their interests. As a result, male children of the 1960s would dress up in the Thunderbirds costume whilst I, in the early 2000s, owned a Pikachu bag as I enjoyed Pokémon. The construction of childhood, in this context, had been commodified with the main objective for marketers to maximise their profit and the subsequent objective for all children to discover interests, and thus develop social agency through buying into toys as a commercial actor.

Furthermore, Cook (2004) examined shifts in the department stores’ merchandising strategies overtime to demonstrate “pediocularity” (pg.66), coined by Cook to describe the demand of children’s views by marketers. Previous public perceptions of children as innocent and naïve beings (Stainton Rogers, 2003) enabled department stores to market products at mothers by “overstressing… and constructing them as beings… at risk” (pg.64). However, as public view of children shifted, department stores from the 1930s rearranged the store layout to be in line with a child’s gaze. Ergo reinforcing the notion that the commodification of childhood demonstrated greater agency for children.

Nevertheless, children’s agency through kinderculture is limited as marketers have control over children’s identities (Hood-Williams, 1990). Children themselves can only buy into toys and costumes that are produced by marketers. Consequently, multiple boys would buy the same Thunderbirds costume as they are mass produced for profit. Even though marketers recognised that all children enjoyed watching television or playing with toys, it was only the middle-class parents who had the disposable income to fulfil their children’s interests further (Buckingham, 2011).Therefore, working-class children are limited in social agency compared to their middle-class counterparts.

Overall, drastic shifts in the social construction of childhood have occurred, from Aries’ early examination of medieval schools to the School Strikes 4 Climate in 2019. The two most important shifts, which have cultivated large transformation in childhood are agency and socialisation. Agency, through the school climate strikes and the emergence of Kinderculture, has allowed children to be independent and with the support of the UNCRC, channel their opinions freely. Socialisation, on the other hand, has allowed children to come together to mutually construct beliefs and values. However, the MoC’s depiction of childhood hasn’t been realistic, since it lacks representation of working-class children in many regards, but specifically, on the commodification of childhood. Furthermore, its sole endorsement of Thunberg could also be demotivating for activists of colour as they do not have mainstream representation of their efforts. Since the museum will be refurbished next year, it may consider a more inclusive representation of childhood, encompassing class and race.

At Age 13 Beatrice moved to the USA to live with an American family. She would help with the housework and attend school. Her parents sent her to the US in hope of her having a chance at a better life. however, Beatrice found herself enslaved, and locked in a suburban home, working for up to 20 hours a day, and denied education. she was forced to hold her hands above her head and kneel on the floor for long periods while being beaten. She was beaten for 9 long years until in 1998, after she had been beaten for over an hour, her screams alarmed the neighbors. The police were called, and Beatrice was discovered. (Reinhardt) That is a fate often shared by 40.3 million people, across the globe (The). Those who are responsible for these horrible crimes should be punished in a more extreme way.

It is estimated that more than 33,000 gangs infest the streets and neighborhoods of the U.S (Rosenstein). Over 200 gangs are known to rely on human trafficking (Gang). The most infamous may be MS-13. They forced a 12-year-old female runaway into the world of sex trafficking by throwing a dirty mattress on the floor of a mechanic’s garage and forcing her to have sex with a line of customers. It is known that gangs operate on a risk vs reward mentality, this means that if they believe the reward of doing things such as transporting drugs across a border is great. er than the risk of getting caught, they will do so. It is known that for many gangs this is the primary way they make money and funding. (Rosenstein)

As of today there is a mandatory minimum for human traffickers set at 15 years, this means that for the kidnapping of countless men, women, and children along with chance of being responsible for the death of potently hundreds of innocent people can be cleaned with a simple 15 year sentence. Of course, this sentence can be increased to 20 years if it is made obvious that the captors used force, coercion, or fraud. (Rosenstein)

In 2014 the NHTRC hotline received reports of 5,042 potential human trafficking cases in the United States. 31.4% of these cases involved minor victims, meaning 1,581 cases reported involved children in the U.S. (National). this may not seem like a lot at first glance, while as a global scale, out of 40.3 Million people in slaved 24.7% are children. Leaving 9,954,100 cases involving children across the globe.

These children are beat, abused, and tortured, such as in the case of Achara who at the age of 12, a businessman came to her village and offered her a well-paying restaurant job in New York. He promised visas, transportation, and enough money to support herself and help her family, but he asked for a down payment on the U.S. $50,000 fee up front. Of course, Achara’s parents saw this as a great opportunity. The family pooled together and raised U.S. $30,000 which was greater than any villager could earn in a lifetime. Once she arrived in the place, she believed would give her a better life, instead of a warm welcome, she was greeted by her freedom and prosperity being stolen from her as she was ensnared and enslaved. She was Ruthlessly robbed of her documents and then thrown into a small room with 16 other young women. She was forced to work in a nearby restaurant for 12 hours a day every day of the week and told that if she did not show up for work or tried to run away, she would be raped and beaten, and her family back home would be killed. Soon after the first month, the situation worsened more then she could have ever imagined. Her Capture told Achara that her restaurant work was no longer enough, and she would now be required to have sex with at least 20 men each day to repay her debt. For two and a half years she was forced to endured forced labor and forced prostitution. She was lucky enough to learn of a shelter for Asian victims of domestic violence, which helped her to escape and regain her freedom But she never truly regained her safety and worries about the safety of her and her family, worrying that her freedom meant their deaths. (Reinhardt)

Those lucky enough to escape with their lives often don’t escape injury free, A 2014 survey of sex trafficking victims found that 88 percent had contact with a health care provider at some point while being trafficked (Caiola). Trafficking victims are known to obtain injuries such as fractures, lacerations and lost limbs and even chronic pain. Those are all things that could potentially permanently inhibit how these men women and children live their lives if they finally escape their captures. Sexual and reproductive health problems are very common among women who are sexually abused while trafficked, but it can happen to men as well. But issues go far beyond the flesh in this case. In many cases the damage is much more harmful in the form of invisible wounds such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and or actions. (Kiss)

Many would argue that human trafficking isn’t as big of an issue as people make it out to be, and much of the forced labor is done legally. This is because the standard age for work is 16, but there is no similar restrictions protecting children working in agriculture. In agriculture, employers can and have hired children ages 14 and 15 to work unlimited hours outside of school, without a parent’s consent knowledge or consent. This makes the work legal and with there being no way to prove the person is doing so against their will there’s no way to prosecute them. There is also little to know information on how human trafficking is run. A study that took place for 10 years only gained the information of 17 survivors and 26 key informants. (Walts)

Lack of knowledge does not excuse injustice, President Abraham Lincoln wrote in 1859, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves” of which is exactly what human traffickers are doing to the innocent men women and children they hold hostage. (Rosenstein) Forced work in agriculture is a very small portion for the problem. Everyday day children are forced into the military as children soldiers, women forced across seas to marry strangers as mail order brides, debt bondages, and even being stolen from parking lots and malls to have their organs harvested and left to die. (Human)

40.3 million men women and children are stolen from their lives and robbed from there freedoms. They are forced against their will into sex work, forced labor, wars, or even as far as having their vital organ taken from them and left to die. Human trafficking is a despicable crime and should warrant a punishment more severe than a 15-year sentence. The USA was built on the principle that all beings deserve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, human traffickers still those ideas from not only Americans but from all people across the world in one sick and twisted move and should be punished in a way that reflects those actions.

“Childhood is the time for children to be in school and at play, to grow strong and confident with the love and encouragement of their family and an extended community of caring adults.” Although not everyone would agree that childhood is the best part of one’s life as some children may be born under such circumstances that are bad, but in most cases childhood is the best phase of life for many reasons. In my opinion, childhood was the golden period of my life.

One of the reasons that childhood is the most important phase of one’s life is because when we are kids, we have no responsibility and are carefree. There are no restrictions on playing with friends. For example, when I was in India, my family and I used to live in a house that consists of three floors. On the bottom floor stayed my aunt, uncle and cousins then on the middle floor stayed my parents, grandparents and I. On the top floor stayed my another aunt, uncle and cousins. Our whole family moved to the USA in 2016 and whenever we go to India we stay at the same house. The house has an open space around it and half of the open space we plant different types of trees, according to the season such as mango, guava, plumeria trees and many other types of trees. When I was a kid, every afternoon, my mom, aunt, grandparents, sometimes dad and uncle all get together and have fun talking. While, my cousins, friends and I play different games like hide and seek, tag, marbles, hopscotch, jump-rope and hand clapping games. During childhood, a child does not have to bother about anything and they are carefree. The biggest problem as a child is what color crayon to choose for drawing. These childhood memories when grown up remind of the good times and bring a smile on our faces. This shows one reason to childhood being the best phase of one’s life as they do not have any responsibility on their shoulders and enjoy life without worrying about anything.

Secondly, childhood is the best time when the child starts to learn every little thing for the first time. For instance, when I was 9 months my mom and dad taught me how to walk, then I slowly learned to talk and when a child starts to speak most of the time the first word that a kid says is “Mom”, “Dad” or a person that they are close to and the happiness that it gives the person is out of the world. During childhood, we learn to write, ride a bike, listen to what people say, run, jump, even playing with mud and sand and many other things. This is the time when a child learns things very easily. Every new thing that the child learn becomes a memory of their parents and themselves. One of my memories was my dad teaching me how to bike. One day my dad and I went outside with my two wheel bike and my dad was holding the back of the bike so I can balance, then after sometime he let go of the bike and when I realized he is not holding the bike I lost my balance and fell down from which I got a scratch on my knee. Later I was scared to ride the bike for a few days, then one day my dad took me to bike and I was more confident and it became easy for me to learn how to bike. From this I learned that you should never give up and learn from your mistakes. After getting hurt once I learned from my mistake and then next time I rode the bike really well without getting scared. Childhood is not going to come back so enjoy as much as you can. Thus, childhood is the happiest time of a person’s life.

Lastly, the love given from all family members during the time spent with everyone. Everybody in the family takes care of the child. Parents listen to their child and ready to do what the child wants such as taking their child to the park and playing games with their child. As an example, I am an only child, but the benefit of being an only child is that my family loves me more especially my parents. I can easily blend in with everyone. From childhood till now my parents have never said no to anything. I try not to hide anything from my parents as I do not want to break their trust as I know how much they love me. My little cousin and I used to play games with my grandfather at night or when he is tried we would sit and spent time talking with him on the porch. Every weekend I used to go to my mother’s side aunt and uncle’s house and spent time with my mother’s side of the family. Everytime I go there I usually end up sleeping over for one night. In addition, the time spent with family during festivals, vacations, or holidays is memorable too. Indian culture has a lot of festivals but the festival that people get together the most is Diwali. During Diwali, our family used to decorate the house with lights, put small lamps on the porch or around the house, pray and make delicious sweets. I remember on Diwali I used to wake up early with excitement to make Rangoli, a drawing filled with powder colors, by the entrance of the house. The most awaited time was the night as I loved to do fireworks as a kid and I still do but not as much as my childhood. The next day on new year we go to our relatives house and have fun or all the family members come to our house. On New Year elders give blessings to the kids and give them gifts which I think every child liked the most. Every moment spent with the family becomes a pleasant and precious memory making childhood the best part of life.

In conclusion, childhood is the best period of one’s life as during childhood you are carefree, you learn new things and get lots of love and memories with the family. Childhood never comes back even if you wish. Childhood is the most relaxing and enjoyable phase of life. Childhood with being an important part of life is also the happiest time of one’s life. When I am really stressed I miss being a child and wish to become a child again and never grow up but in reality it is not possible. All the childhood memories are a source to bring a smile on your face during the toughest times.

Women play a vital role in moulding the destiny of our civilization. But the girl child, very often, not only faces neglect and inequality but sometimes the gravest forms of violence. In India, in many places, traditions challenge the very existence of girl child. In spite of remarkable hue and cry about gender equality and the enforcement of laws for achieving the same, a large number of new-born girls are still being abandoned in the garbage, while the unborn female foetuses continue to be sniffed in the womb. Discrimination and prejudices of our society often dealt the girl with a rough hand, beginning even before their birth and following through infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood till the last lap of their life. The neglect of the girl child begins early in life. The extent of neglect varies from family to family. But in comparison to her male counterpart a female child is relatively neglected in most of the socio economic strata.

When the status of girls is significantly less than that of boys, girls become more susceptible to discrimination and neglect. Available indicators reveal that girls are discriminated against from the earliest stages of life in the areas of nutrition, health care, education, family care and protection. Girls are often fed less, particularly when there are diminished food resources. A diet low in calories, protein and nutrients negatively affects girls’ growth and development. Less likely to receive basic health care, they are at increased risk of childhood mortality. In 2007, an estimated 101 million children worldwide — the majority of whom were girls — did not attend primary schools (UNICEF, 2010).

United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child (CRC) specifies in Article 18 that every child has a right to education, and that the State’s duty is to ensure that primary education is free and compulsory, to encourage different forms of secondary education accessible to every child, and to make higher education available to all on the basis of capacity,. But still 140 million children in the world still do not attend schools and two third of them are girls (Howley et al 2000). Over the years, the girl-child has been revoltingly neglected. She is left out in decision making, utilized at homes without due remunerations, kept as home keeper. (Fishel, 1998). She has never ever being given a chance to make her own choices.

Education is a fundamental human right that should be availed to all citizens, irrespective of age, sex and nationality. Girl child education is a sine qua none to the realization of total women empowerment and emancipation across the globe, and involves the formal (and sometimes informal) training of a girl child in knowledge and skills of daily living (Oleribe 2002). Denial of education is the commonest manifestation of neglect of child education – the most retrogressive of all forms of child neglect. It refers to the inability or refusal of a system to provide the girl child opportunity for a qualitative and timely education. (Oleribe, 2002). Today’s girls, who are our sisters and friends, are tomorrow’s wives and mothers. When a woman is trained the whole family is positively impacted. Their mental empowerment by education demolishes thoughtlessness and positively enhances parenting, helping them impart the right kind of virtues and skills on the family. What we therefore want in tomorrow’s children should first be put in the girls of today, since they are the teachers of tomorrow’s children. Many families are having trouble today just because the wife / mother in the home are not educated and so cannot meet the societal and family expectations.

Types of neglect faced by a girl during childhood

Child neglect is defined as a type of maltreatment related to the failure to provide needed, age-appropriate care. Professionals have defined four types of neglect faced by a girl during childhood: physical, emotional, educational, and medical.

Physical neglect

Physical neglect involves failure to meet the girl child’s basic physical requirements such as food, shelter, clothing, health, supervision or proper weather protection. It also includes child abandonment, which is the neglecting of a child without arranging for sensible care or supervision, the rejection of a child leading to segregation from the home and failing to provide for the child’s safety.

Educational neglect

It occurs when a girl child is not receiving schooling though she is of mandatory school age. When a parent is reluctant to pay for a child’s education or does not provide the essential academic environment at home, it is considered as educational neglect. Allowing a girl child to constantly skip school and not seeking special educational help for learning problems are also considered to be different types of educational neglect.

Emotional neglect

Emotional neglect means failure to meet the girl child’s emotional and psychological needs. It also includes indifference and a lack of interest to a girl child’s psychological state or emotional needs and refusal or delay in providing needed psychological care as well as encouragement. When a parent keeps back emotional affection from the girl child and treats it as a form of discipline it also becomes emotional neglect.

Medical neglect

It is the failure to provide for proper health care for the girl child. The girl child who is medically neglected may reveal signs of poor health, such as fatigue, infected cuts, and constant itching or scratching of skin. It also includes leaving a girl child with a medical condition unsupervised and failing to administer medical attention.

Symptoms of child neglect

Symptoms shown by a neglected girl child can be categorized into two – physical and emotional.

Physical

The physical symptoms shown by a neglected girl child are the following:

• Slower-than-normal development from an emotional, social, and academic perspective.
• Failure to achieve proper height and weight gains according to age.
• Doubtful or inexplicable injuries on the child’s body.

Emotional Symptoms

Emotional symptoms shown by a girl neglected during childhood are the following.

• Scared to talk about a parent or showing fear when a parent’s name is brought up in talks.
• Low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• When the child says nobody is at home to care for her
• Difficulty focusing during studies withdrawn from social activities
• Not wanting to go back home

Common causes of girl child neglect

The common causes of neglecting a girl during childhood

Economic support

The traditional social set-up centers on the son as being the main bread winner of the family. He is expected to earn and look out his parents in their old age. Even if the girls are financially independent today and earning their own living many believe that they could not take help from her as she belongs to someone else.

Financial liability

It is apparently more costly to bring up a girl child. Not only is the girl child to be educated, but also have to save up for her marriage and maybe for other occasions in her life.

Cultural programming

Many societies believe that a girls’ place of performance is in their husband’s home and so they should focus only on getting the right man. For those societies, concentrating on her physical, psychological and educational development is not worthy.

Parental economic poverty is responsible as a major cause of neglecting girl child. Child labour keeps girls out of school, whether in the home as house workers, caretakers of younger siblings, or in the workforce (Howley et al 2000).

There are some cultural practices that are not in favor of girl child education which over the years have denied several girl children the opportunity to acquire formal education or to drop out half way. As a result they no longer identify the neglect and discrimination imposed on them.

Consequences of neglect faced by a girl child

Childhood is a period when memories form, emotional, social, and cognitive development takes place and when children become receptive to their environments. Their experience later shapes up who they become as adults and influences their well-being, career, and life, in general. The effects of neglect in childhood result in long-term consequences when they go overlooked. Long-term neglect shapes up personalities into abnormal types if left unchecked. When she grows up into an adult, she may see the world in a twisted perspective as a result of long-term neglect. The common long-term effects of neglect are:

Interpersonal Relationship

The girl child exposed to neglect experience problems in interpersonal relationships such as retreating from social conversations, avoiding active participation in communities, having difficulty in interacting with peers etc.

Learning and Development

Poor academic performance, difficulty in developing expected speech and language patterns according to one’s age, and poor scores associated with reading and mathematics are exhibited by the neglected girl child.

Mental Health

A neglected girl child builds up mental health disorders like PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, stress, and depression. Eating disorders like anorexia may also be linked with childhood emotional neglect.

Suicide

Research studies suggest that neglect during childhood can be associated to an increased risk of suicidal attempts in girl children. The risk of suicide is higher due to the internal feelings that they experience and suppress within themselves.

Higher levels of substance abuse like drugs, tobacco, and alcohol are linked to increased childhood emotional neglect. They turn to drugs and alcohol when they no longer find a channel or person they can talk to about their feelings. Since their only source of comfort disappears, they find comfort in substances.

Research suggests that children exposed to pain through neglect are more likely to manifest aggressive behaviours and inflict pain on others. Youth violence and criminal activity are strong indicators of child neglect in the past.

Prevention

Understanding neglect requires an awareness of related social problems such as poverty, substance abuse and domestic violence. Prevention of neglect through extensive care and enhanced educational services will benefit both children and parents. The following ways can prevent neglect experienced by a girl during childhood:

• Providing education to parents related to how to cope with the daily stressors of life, and teaching parents how to provide a nurturing environment for their girl child.
• Mental health services to parents who face depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders will mitigate stress and enable parents to come out of their problems and care for children.
• Increasing public and social awareness of girl child neglect in communities will be essential towards the change that’s needed to prevent it.
• Policies should be drafted and resources must be allocated to programs that implement the changes necessary to prevent girl child neglect.

In many parts of India, the birth of a girl child is not welcomed. Right from her arrival, she faces discrimination, humiliation, and oppression at every stage of life. When it comes to healthcare, education and growth opportunities, she is neglected because of her gender. Some manage to survive and foster new paths to follow. Most, however, surrender hopelessly to the sad fate given to them. What really needs to happen is a change from within each one of us. At the grassroots level we need to evolve new thought processes and promote these to our next generation. It is only then that we might have a fighting chance of eradicating gender bias. We want to be part of a world where girls are celebrated, where they are treated equally, with love and respect. What is immediately required in a society today is a change of attitude. Girls must be given the same opportunities and protection as boys, and must be treated with equality. But what we see in most societies today is the other way round. A girl’s childhood can and must be preserved, cherished, nurtured and protected. Because she has the right to survive, develop, be protected and participate in decisions that impact her life.

Reference

1. Aragon, Janni and Miller, Mariel.(2012).Global Women’s Issues: Women in the World Today. Bureau of International Information Programs, United States Department of State
2. Fishel J (1998). Educating girls: population growth’s silver bullet? ZPG Report. Jun. 30(3):3.
3. Howley EM, Leslie B, Ross R, Bloom FK, and Schmalz K. (Eds) (2000). Education and the Girl Child. NGO Committee on UNICEF. UN Plaza, New York, USA.
4. Khan, Parveen Nuzhat.(2016). Child Rights and The Law, universal Law Publishing, Haryana.
5. Oleribe OEO (2002). The Concept of Child Abuse: An Anti-Child Abuse Society of Africa (ACASA). National War College Press, Abuja, Nig. 16-137.
6. Osita-Oleribe, E Obinna.(2007). Neglect of Girl Child Education: bridging the gap- A case study of a Nigerian agrarian northern community. International NGO Journal Vol. 2 (2), pp. 030-035.
7. www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/child-neglecthaqcrc.org/child-rights/indian-laws-policiespib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=116872
8. https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/child-neglect-causes-effects-and-prevention
9. http://www.unicef.org/rightsite/484_540.htm

Abstract

As the generations evolve the culture of people change as well. Many people believe that the people of today should learn to be intellectual and that this is necessary to be taught from the young ages for a child to able to adapt to the changing environments. Often this consumes a child preventing them from exploring their true qualities and attributes. Instead of playing outside, verbally and physically communicating with friends, relaxing, pursuing their hobbies and being creative they get addicted to learning how to use the constantly developing technology or get caught up trying to alter themselves to be able to fit in with the multiple requirements of society. Recently, this issue has become of grave importance as it has great impact on a child as they easily get influenced by the standards set by society, the increasing difficulty of education, advancements in technology and the various health issues caused by them. This has technological, psychological and social impact which have been determined through the studies done based on children and technology, a few debate sites, articles and blogs. Variations in the results describe that many people understand that technology and society’s expectations are preventing a child from being a child but still allows a child to continue being another zombie of this world.

Modern Culture

Culture is the specific patterns of attitudes, behaviors, beliefs and values that are shared by people of a society. Culture changes as the years pass, impacting the values and behaviors of different people in many different ways for it to be suitable towards the new culture and advancements of the world. In particular these alterations have huge impacts on the children of those specified groups or societies because they are compelled to follow certain principles to keep up with the needs of our rapidly developing world.

Frequently children are pressurized by the set morals and are demanded to act, dress, and possess certain qualities thus allowing them to make assumptions that it is obligatory for them to accept to be able to belong. Technology demonstrates these ‘social requirements’ to adolescents and children, increasing chances to additional problems related to mental and physical health. This report discusses few of numerous factors that are considered to have an influence on youth like, the technological, psychological and social impacts.

One argument is the introduction of fast food restaurants and other ‘junk’ food places that have increased over the years and this does not exactly have the most positive impact on the youth because of their dependence on it. Besides the negative experiences developed on food preferences at early ages, parents eating habits also influence a child’s eating interests. Forcing children to eat foods they do not like discourages them from eating, this is mostly a problem when concerning fruits and vegetables. As most parents, nowadays, do not have the time or energy to pressure their children to eat the right types of food they then rely on the alternative options which are fast foods.

In this case, a child’s health is at risk as excess intake of fast food could result in childhood obesity. A report states the global changes of obesity between the years 1975 and 2016,“Global age-standardized prevalence of obesity increased from 0·7% in 1975 to 5·6% in 2016 in girls, and from 0·9% in 1975 to 7·8% in 2016 in boys; the prevalence of moderate and severe underweight decreased from 9·2% in 1975 to 8·4% in 2016 in girls and from 14·8% in 1975 to 12·4% in 2016 in boys.” (Lancet 2017; Vol. 390: p.2627). This drastic change affects the child’s life at early stages and may make it difficult to alter in the future.

Technological Impacts

Technology is deliberated to have extreme impact on childhood, according to one source, “As of September 2009, 93% of American teens between the ages of 12 and 17 went online, a number that has remained stable since November 2006” and “Among adolescents, both boys and girls are equally likely to go online, but younger teens remain slightly less likely to go online than older teens. Fully 95% of teens ages 14-17 go online compared with 88% of teens ages 12-13.Most of the variance among younger teens is accounted for by 12 year olds, of whom 83% go online compared to 92% of 13 year olds.” (Lenhart et.al, 2010, p.5).

As they grow up with devices they are becoming more dependent on how it makes life easier, faster and more efficient hence making them lazier and stupider. In addition to that, most of them are demanding for the latest, most high-tech gadgets which are being misused. Media plays a massive part in the life of children and no doubt is a handy tool for giving better access to information online and other activities, numerous sites display inappropriate advertisements that are neither suitable for children or teenagers to view. “Internet that should be used to search or access information is even used to access porn sites. Roy Suryo Notodiprojo revealed that of 24.5 million internet users about 54% aged 15-20 years and more than 90% of them ever entered porn sites.” (IICET, 2018, p.45), this article expresses that our youth uses their media for other, non-educational purposes then who is to say that the younger ones will not accidently stumble upon these site and be able to have full access to them as well.

Leading the innocent minds of our young ones to the increasing corruptions of this century through cyber bullying, lack of communication skills, social out casting and not being able find one true self. Social media is not only the cause, but also other media like, television shows, movies and video games. Video and computer games are another factor that is greatly influencing the youth, countless are affected by the violence behind them and are enacting it out among their friends and family.

As some parents are afraid to send their children out to play, because of the possibility of dangers to child, video games are the best alternative to keep their child occupied so they rather play video games indoors which are equally as entertaining. Therefore making communicating and playing games face to face seem less appealing to youngsters. “More than 90% of U.S. children play some kind of video games; when considering only adolescents ages 12 – 17, figure rises to 97%.” (Lenhart et.al, 2008).

Television is also an issue that needs to be considered — as a source states—“because the number of violent acts a child may see, there is a result of the mental problem called “copycat phenomenon”. Copycat Phenomenon defines as imitating or copying the act or behavior of a person from a particular show.” (Sparks, 2013, p.92). A child does not understand that copying what they show on T.V. is not always appropriate and can be hazardous, yes, parents can be blamed to some extent but they are not continuously around to know what their child doing.

There are some senseless shows that are being produced for children that are drawing them in and getting them addicted from the ages of 3. One doctor quotes that, “We have a lot of 2-year-olds using tablets now, and I see 3- and 4-year-olds that are already addicted.” – Dr. Fran Walfish, a Los Angeles-based child and family psychotherapist.

Media has a role in this as well as it is a cause of problems children face, for example, influencing them to believe that they will not be accepted into society unless they have the required looks and qualities. Thus making them insecure about their lifestyle, especially if they are unable to obtain those “qualities”. These demands made by society increases depression and several other psychological problem that have children giving up on their life, in order to be free from this stress.

Psychological Impacts

Technology has a great impact on our children and adolescents and it comes with great dangers that result in psychological issues like depression, anger, eating problems, personality disorders, loneliness, anxiety, etc. These are not necessarily always caused in children but is enforced on my parents as they constantly want their child to strive for perfection, most of the times this leads to depression and according to the Journal of Education and Practice (Vol.7, No.24, 2016):

“It was reported that 2.8 million American adolescents who are between ages of 12 to 17 have gone through at least one major depressive episode in 2014. This was the 11.4% of the total population of age of 12-17 adolescents. In recent years, these numbers have been going up regularly (Abuse, 2014). Depression has been seen among Turkish adolescents as well. A study conducted by Eskin et al. (2008) has shown that among high school students, 61.5% of the participants were having mental health problems. In other research, Toros et al. (2005) conducted a study with the students aged between 10 and 20; findings revealed that 12.5% of the participants had high levels of depression.”

Mental stress on children builds up small levels of sorrow inside them, making them feel like shutting everyone off. Definitely this makes them feel lonely and unwanted as they create unnecessary scenarios, specifically for children, as they are innocent and simple minded they get influenced quite easily. Besides loneliness, children fear leaving their houses or involving themselves socially with others because of anxiety and the thought of being judged or watched therefore automatically reducing their interpersonal skills and get anxious when they are unable to avoid rough situations.

Social Impacts

Spreading of culture has become simpler after the arrival of social media which has also allowed the penetration of pop culture into society. One aspect of the negative influences of pop culture on the youth is that they have the tendency to imitate others like, friends or people who inspire them and unintentionally they act wrongly. Most of the time this leads to them to commit small crimes or getting addicted to smoking or drugs. Being youngsters they do not understand that their mistakes can cause severe damages and if they understand they simply believe it is ‘cool’ or the new trend.

Another aspect is that most get so engrossed into these fictional universes that they are no longer able to distinguish between reality and fiction. Children are likely to get delusional and try to implement what they see on T.V in real life, this adds to their already vivid imaginations and could lead to them harming themselves or others. Furthermore, pop culture can cause serious psychological repercussions, especially on young children, when they have to witness the depiction of gore, violence, and bloodshed. It can be discouraging towards those who are intelligence and those who are not as well as discriminating towards race, religion, color, size, etc.

Peer pressure is one more factor that affects a child, as they could be forced to something unpleasant. Most of the times the child being bullied is weaker than the others and cannot always defend themselves, this builds up psychological problems that cause the child to be intimidated and panic around those bigger in size or stronger. The current generation has introduced bulling in a new form; through the internet, cyberbullying is described by researchers as “aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or individual, using electronic forms of contact, repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend himself or herself.”(Smith et.al, Principles of Cyberbullying Research, p.26).

Cyberbullying alters a child’s life in various ways as it includes photos, videos or messages that are meant to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person’s weaknesses. In many situation, the sender tone cannot be deciphered through messages and a joke could accidentally hurt another’s feelings, implying them being cyberbullies. “About 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than 4 out 10 say it has happened more than once.” Catastrophic impacts occur from such acts, particularly for young adults as they feel embarrassed and humiliated to even imagine surviving the next day and take extreme steps to reduce the pain like, self-harm.

Present culture is not all negatives, there are some advantages to the changing culture. There are so many aspects that the older generations would not have imagined doing that take place right now, like communicating with people in different countries has become the easiest possible task thanks to technology advancements. Another is that there are a huge range of educational opportunities found online for children and teenagers, furthermore children currently do not have to waste their times researching through libraries or book to write a report but just with a few click can access loads of information within seconds. Other than technological benefits youngster are taught that life is more than just studying and playing, they are made into intellectual individuals as they are taught to do several things in school and with the world examples set by others. These are just a few points to the positive features of our modern culture nevertheless it has corrupted the children in unimaginable ways and who know what the other possibilities of harm are there.

In conclusion, culture plays great role in varying a child’s youth, it affects their psychological and physical health. Not only with technology but the demands of the society as well. As they are obligated to do certain tasks to belong and this creates uncertainty. Media also gives false images to children and damages the way the think. Therefore, it is definite that culture does greatly impact the youth although it can be controlled and in some situations parents can put certain restriction from earlier ages that allow children to have moments to themselves where they can discover their true self apart from the social life. They can encourage children to participate in activities like singing, dancing, music, art, sports, cooking and reading. The change can only be made by them.

References

1. Lenhart, A., Purcell, K., Smith, A., Zickuhr, K. (2010). Social Media & Internet Usage among Teens and Young Adults, Pew Internet & American Life Project, Washington, D.C.
2. Lenhart, A., Kahne, J., Middaugh, E., MacGill, A., Evans, C., & Vitak, J. (2008). Teens, videogames and civics.Washington, D.C.: Pew Internet & American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media//Files/Reports/2008/PIP_Teens_Games_and_Civics_Report_FINAL.pdf.pdf.
3. Eskin, M., Ertekin, K., Harlak, H., & Dereboy, Ç. (2008). Prevalence of and factors related to depression in high school students. Turkish Psychiatry Journal, 19(4), 382-389
4. Toros, F., Bilgin, N. G., Bugdayci, R., Sasmaz, T., Kurt, O., & Camdeviren, H. (2004). Prevalence of depression as measured by the CBDI in a predominantly adolescent school population in Turkey. European Psychiatry, 19(5), 264-271.
5. Abuse, S. (2014). Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA). Results from the 2012 national survey on drug use and health: Summary of national findings. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2013. NSDUH Series H-46, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13–4795. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
6. Sparks, G. G. (2013). Media Effects Research 4th Edition, Boston, MA: Wadsworth-Cengage Learning.
7. Smith PK, Del Barrio C, Tokunaga RS. Principles of Cyberbullying Research: Definitions, Measures, and Methodology. NYork/Londres: Routledge; 2013. Definitions of bullying and cyberbullying: How useful are the terms; pp. 26–40.
8. Lancet 2017; 390: 2627–42 Published Online October 10, 2017 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(17)32129-3
9. “Cyber Bullying: Statistics and Tips.’ i-SAFE Inc. Accessed February 10, 2014, http://www.isafe.org/outreach/media/media_cyber_bullying.

We all know that the culture now has a big difference than the old days. It is so obvious how the modern culture affects the childhood of the young generation. Now, we will discuss how the modern culture affecting or ruining the childhood of every children. The modern culture that we are talking about is a culture full of technologies, gadgets and social medias.

According to the article of one photojournalist Suhani Bhanvadia, explained that technoloy is so fast to develop and so easy to use , that’s why the younger peers has been reached by this. She also said that nowadays, wherever we will go we can see that most of the children are having a gadgets in front of them even six year old or below can use an ipad which is bigger than his face. If a achild grows up in a environment with full of technology it will push the children to not spend time doing productive activities. This could prompt them to have a bad habits during their childhood. Because of the negative aspect that we saw in involving in the technology which cause to influence the childhood of younger generations , sometimes we are not looking at other side with opportunity to advance the modern culture using the technology. The technology can give opportunity for children to advance their learning but if we are choosing the other side of using it , it will lead to addiction to something bad it is the time that their childhood can be ruin.

There is one study published year 2009 by Robert Roy Brit with the title of “Is Modern Society Ruining Childhood?” stated that as per their survey , aged 6 to 11 out of 500 U.S children found that one-third of their total numbers have fear that the Earth will not be existent when they grow up and 56 percent have confidence in the facts that they’ve got form the online source that the planet will not be as good a place to live. Meaning, technology and online sites can affect the mind of the children that leads to live their life with fear in their younger age. The new york time article about “ The Kids Are Not All Right”, showed and explained that the Kaiser Family Foudation study reports that instead of spending time in school or in other activities, children today are spending more time and engaging their selves to the electronic means of media like television, games online and other social media entertainments. Because of their involvement on technology and online entertainments, it is so sad to know that many children are now involves in pornography or any sexual images and violence.

There is a debate about “ Modern Culture is ruining childhood” in debate.org where it stated that kids now a days feel that technology is necessary for them to dictate who they really are but that is a deception. They are so concious and worried more about the clothes they wear and how they look. They are trying their best to fit in with the modern world. Now, kids can explore life without the presence and guidance with their parents. This is also sad to say that some parents are allowing their chidren to focus on gadgets and not letting them to do something that can help them to develop and explore. Today’s society is so different and kid’s can’t explore life without technology. Sadly to say that modern children are learning and setting their mind on how to live their life through a screen only. The truth is , technology already hooked them and the things they see, they know and experience is distressing. Because they are updated about many thing and even a conservative topics they already knew. Imagine even younger kids already know about sex by just seeing and hearing it online. Children at the age of 7 or 8 is wearing a clothing for ladies that shows their tummy which is not normal and not how they should suppose to dress. The reason behind that is kids wanted to be in trend and want to follow the standard of modern culture. Another example is many boys under twelve years old already thinking and wanting to have sex and saying unsuitable things. Also they care more about their status than who they are because they have a mindset now that they should have good image in social media. These things and attitudes of the children will not help them to enjoy their childhood. So meaning, today’s modern culture destroyed childhood

According to Dr. Natasha Burgert told that a few decades ago, the expected scenes that we always see is kids are having meals with the family is a priority. Kids are expected to sit around the dinner table with relatives or family members talking about their whole day and sharing stories. But now, while having dinners with the families , kids are not focus on the food but focus on their gadgets doing something that is not normal during family dinner. Children now have their first priority which is the technology and social media. It is so obvious that it is not normal to act like that as a child. Because of their addiction in looking at their phones for a long time, it seems that technology are their world now and no other things need to enjoy.

The Newparents.com have an article about “Children Growing Up Today Versus Children Growing Up In The Past” , they conducted an interview and they stated the replied of some parents. They said that children today are spending more time in front of computers, ipad, tv and many more, and because of this they are not productive everyday. Kids are not playing outside or even not playing with their brothers and sisters, they just only wants to focus their eyes on theif phones or tablet.

REFERENCE

1. Is Modern Culture Ruining Childhood? (2020) by Suhani Bhanvadia Retrieved from: https://ylhsthewrangler.com/20459/opinions/is-modern-culture-ruining-childhood/
2. Is Modern Society Ruining Childhood? (2009) by Robert Roy Brit Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com/7713-modern-society-ruining-childhood.html
3. The New York Times: The Kids Are Not All Right (2011) by Joel Bakan Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/opinion/corporate-interests-threaten-childrens-welfare.html
4. Is Modern Culture Ruining Childhood?: Debate.org Retrieved from: https://www.debate.org/opinions/is-modern-culture-ruining-childhood
5. Insider: 10 Ways being a kid has changed in the past 20 years (2019) Retrieved from: https://www.insider.com/how-being-kid-is-different-now-than-it-was-20-years-ago
6. Thenewparents.com: Children growing up today versus Children growing up in the past Retrieved from: https://thenewageparents.com/interview-with-janet-doman-brian-casewell-and-esther-lim-part-2/

Kids who do not eat enough in the first three years of their lives grow up at a serious disadvantage in life. They may be faced with conditions like asthma and anemia and have a higher chance of being hospitalized. Kids who grow up not getting enough food also struggle in school and other social situations. Growing up in this new way of life with a global pandemic, masks, etc. makes it hard for some families to make the money to buy food. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, 13 million kids (1-6 kids) may not know where their next meal might come from, or when they will get their next meal. Children who face hunger are not the only ones too, with a starving child also come starving parents. Coming from Zoey, who lives in West Monroe, Louisiana, says, “We eat rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner sometimes. My mom and dad have to go without just so that we kids can have food in our stomachs”. Zoey wants to be a veterinarian when she grows older, but before she does that, she needs to grow up to be healthy and strong. That can be difficult because her family does not have a lot of food in the fridge. Children facing hunger are more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school, experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills, and have more social and behavioral problems. Each of us can help with this current problem by donating just a few cans in your pantry and delivering them to a local food bank.

Feeding America feeds more than 12 million children in America, they also offer specialized programs to help kids get the food they need whenever they need it. On weekends, the BackPack Program. After school, Kids Cafe. During summers, Summer Food Service Programs. At home, School Pantry Program and SNAP Application Assistance Program. We can give these kids the future they deserve, change can start with us.

Across the nation, poor families are upwards of 15 times as likely as the wealthiest to be hungry. For one family in California specifically, food became so expensive and too unavailable in June 2020 as Covid-19 outbreaks began to spread rapidly across the country. Once the quarantine was lifted, the family waited through long lines in food pantries, and this became their normal routine of getting the food they needed. Oftentimes they had to drive to neighboring towns just to get food. Every child in America deserves a bright and healthy future, yet Covid-19 has been a horrific factor in child hunger in America. With 30 million kids depending on school meals to eat, school closings and loss in family income mean hunger rates in America will drastically rise. “The result may be your child being removed from your home and placed in foster care”. This message was released to about 40 families in a Pennsylvania school district because their children owed more than 10 in lunch debt at the school. Threatening to send kids away because families can’t afford the school lunch is bizarre, cruel, and unfair. Most of the time schools will give out poorly made food when a child is in debt like a tuna sandwich. Children’s performance in school depends on being healthy and well-fed. For schools to punish kids for not being able to pay back a lunch debt is cruel, and especially ‘lunch shaming’ the students by handing them poorly made food is also cruel and shouldn’t be allowed in school systems. The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs help keep children fed and ready to learn in the classroom without having to worry about being shamed for not having enough money for school meals. There is no possible excuse for children to go hungry in this country, yet it happens every single day, in every community.

According to the USDA, more than 11 million children in the United States live in ‘food insecure’ homes. This means that the family does not have enough food to feed every single person in the household. Hunger is a problem that mainly affects low-income families, in 2018 the federal poverty level was $25,750 for a family of four, this was the minimum, of course. Over 38 million, or 12% of Americans, live in poverty. 15 million of those were children. One of the most effective ways to help is to put them through the federal nutrition program. Some of the programs you may be familiar with are SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program. These are crucial lifeline programs for families in need. School lunches are really dependent on some kids, but what happens when the school year is over? No Kid Hungry is helping community leaders with the funding and know-how they need to start summer meal sites. Summertime is the hungriest time of the year. For too many children in America, school lunch may be the last healthy meal of the day. SNAP, sometimes known as food stamps, provides low-income families with money to purchase food each month. SNAP benefits help you with purchasing healthy foods like bread, cereal, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, and snacks. You cannot use SNAP to purchase things like alcohol, cigarettes, pet food, paper products, and household supplies. WIC benefits are primarily for children under the age of five or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. WIC serves 53 percent of all infants born in the United States, according to the latest figures from the USDA. Through WIC, moms can get nutritious foods for their young children, as well as access to important services at WIC clinics, including nutrition education, counseling, and referrals to local health and welfare agencies. During the global pandemic, SNAP is one of the most effective ways to pay for food for children.

Child hunger is a major problem in modern American society that should have no place. Each of us can donate to many organizations to help starving children and help them have better and healthier life.

Were you ever dreaming about getting married at a very young age? Or did you remember if you ever had play-acted or pretend to be married with one of your childhood friends and acted like you guys were husband and wife. If your answer is never, you should know that you have live a very good and innocence life. I have recently done several research and done an in-depth reading on some articles regarding the subjects. Thus, I have learned more about the impacts of this issue on children’s lives. Marriage is a wonderful thing to do, but it should not be the ultimate dream for a little girl. Even with parental permission, minors should not be allowed to get married, as minors are likely to later regret the choice as adults. Thus, the banning of child marriage can address the issue regarding fundamental of human rights, child protection and child mental maturity.

Throughout the world, children have been married either with their own consent or being arranged by their families. Did you know that around 650 million girls and women alive today were married as children? How many times have you read the news about a child who barely reach the age of 15 has been married to a 60–70-year-old guys? According to UNICEF, approximately 12 million girls under 18 are married each year. This is not a small number for me, for you and for us.

When you were a child, did you know about the things you need to do without being told by someone? Did you even know the basics of mathematics without the teachers’ guidance? As for me, no, I did not know about it if someone did not guide me. Then, imagine an innocent child, who need guidance the most, get married when they maybe did not even know what marriage is. Even myself as a young adult, I still cannot grasp the responsibility I need to do if I am going get married. Then, how can you expect a child, who still has a very limited way of thinking, who can barely grasp the idea of marriage and the responsibility that come with legal wedlock, to get married at a very young age?

A marriage without passion, love and intimacy may lead to unhappy marriage, and unhappy marriage will cause arguments, violence, and divorce.

As a university student and a young woman, I definitely do not support child marriage since I know that I have my own dreams that I’d like to achieve, to make it come true. In order for me to make it happen, I need educations. So, here I present my very first reason as to why I think child marriage should be banned is that child marriage is a violation of human rights. Actually, child marriage has violated several articles in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Child marriage often ends with one or both children to stop going to school. They need to make money to support themselves financially. Kids around them did not need to even worry about money. They cannot get educations, they need to work, and they also cannot socialize with kids around their age. These are some examples of human rights violation that happened in child marriage.

In addition, it is once stated in the Girls Not Bride website that when a child is married at a young age, they tend to be exposed towards violence and abandonment. As we had experienced being a child ourselves, I believe that at times we often did things without knowing the consequences of that actions. We might be spilling the drinks, make a mess around the house, does not tidying our bed after waking up, and many more. Yet, the worst we might be getting is just a scolding from our parents. But it might not be the same cases for the children that had been married. And it may be worst for those who have an abusive husband as their spouse. They might be getting beaten to death, injured severely due to the beating they are getting, and might even be exposed to sexual harassment. After hearing all this, don’t you feel sad thinking that your child or your siblings being beaten by their supposed to be loving husband and might not be able to see them after that? Don’t you feel the urge to stop all of these? Don’t you feel the need to protect those children and give them the best protection and education that exist on this world?

We know what needs to be done. Making it happen will require commitment and actions from all of us, working together. First and foremost, the government and policy maker should have taken different steps to prevent child marriage. The government should provide a support system for the girls, including hotlines and referrals to services that offer directs support. We can also petition the government to increase the minimum age for marriage to 18 years old. Once the minimum age has increased, it is necessary to continue our crusade against child marriage to raise awareness and to ensure the laws are being enforce. Parents and community leaders also responsible in child marriage. Thus, educating parents and community leaders regarding negative consequences of child marriage can make them change their perception about child marriage, speak up for girls’ right and encourage others to do the same. When a minimum age for marriage acts had been enforced, by right all people in society are required to follow and abide by the rules. The government can take an action towards those who contravene the rules that being set. On the official websites of UNICEF and Girls Not Bride, they also encourage the government to increase the minimum age for marriage as they stand with a belief that a child should not be married at a young age.

In conclusion of my essay, the banning of child marriage can address the issue regarding fundamental of human rights, child protection and child mental maturity. With each passing moment, progress that has been made for girls’ rights to say NO to child marriage is being undone due to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis. We are now faced with the reality that more girls will become child brides as a direct result of the pandemic. We must stop the clock and stop the setback so that girls can decide their own futures. I am convinced that every child deserves the opportunity to fully develop their potential. Society should support children so that they grow up to be healthy, happy, productive and responsible citizens.

Intro

A popular childhood disorder becoming increasingly more accepted and acknowledged in society is down syndrome. In 2019, there was roughly a recorded case of seven thousand Irish people diagnosed with down syndrome (downsyndrome.ie, 2013). On a public health system term (HSE.ie, 2018) they state that one of every 550 newborns can be affected by down syndrome. The main theme of this assignment will focus around this increasingly more common childhood disorder such as intellectual disability (ID), its causes, symptoms and relevant therapeutic strategies.

Description

According to the official Irish Down syndrome website (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013), they define down syndrome as a cause of the child gaining an additional chromosome in their genetics, which they name as ‘chromosome 21’. This can have a lasting effect, both physically and mentally, and result in some disabilities or delays in the child’s developments as it grows. This chromosome is important as it is responsible for functions like healthy heart development, development of the brain or physical features and metabolism homeostasis (HSE.ie, 2018).

Causes

Down syndrome is partially common in Ireland according to the official website (downsyndrome.ie, 2013) being diagnosed in one in four hundred and forty-four babies with down-syndrome annually. It is classified as a health problem which originates in the womb, and one cannot claim for it to be reasoned as or a cause of any disease or illness (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013). It is not gender specific as it can be sourced from either the mother or father. According to the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) (HSE.ie, 2018), men have a likelihood of one in 35 of handing down the condition to offspring while females are five times more likely as they are estimated to be every one in eight. It can also be caused by a tiny proportion of all translocation trisomies being inherited or passed down from parents to their child. In addition to this, the myth of the older age of the maternal mother being the result of the child’s diagnosis is an incorrect statement. As according to the website (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013), the age does increase the probability of occurrence, but many children with intellectual disabilities such as down syndrome have mothers that are aged under thirty-five. The HSE (HSE.ie, 2018), states that the chances increase from one in every one thousand five hundred when you are twenty, to a huge growth of thirty times more likely when you become forty five (one in fifty).

Recent research suggests that environmental factors may influence the amount of cases in a specific geographical location along a small-time frame (HSE.ie, 2018). The factors are listed as exposure to infectious agents, oral contraception, inhaling tobacco or smoking, radiation or pesticides. There is a lack of substantial and concrete evidence to support this list and this may be only a series of coincidences colliding together. However, it is a fact that smoking has the capability to damage the baby and is warned against in prenatal development, as it can risk stillbirth, miscarriages and even premature births.

There can be three types of down syndrome that a child can be diagnosed with (downsyndrome.ie, 2013). Majority of cases (97%) are with the type called trisomy 21, children in this category have three copies instead of the usual two copies of chromosome twenty-one. It is due to the unusual division of cells in the development stage of either the sperm or egg. The second type, called translocation, is estimated to occur in only two percent of cases and is given its name because of a partial chromosome 21 moves and becomes attached to seperate chromosomes. However, they still have the additional two extra chromosomes. In half of babies it is seen as a special occurrence, but it can be a cause of a parent having a translocation themselves. Even if they show no symptoms, as in this case they still possess the normal amount of genetic material, but it can result in their children as a reoccurrence. The lowest occurring case is called “Mosaic”, with a record number of one percent, their condition is hinted in the name, it is due to their diverse cells being a mixture of normal and added chromosome 21 cells. What is interesting about this type is that abnormal cell division develops after fertilization and some babies even have fewer physical features associated with down syndrome.

Symptoms

Down syndrome is a permanent lifelong diagnosis that is without a cure, but with modern developments and good medical care plans implemented their lives can be extended to an expectancy of sixty or seventy years old (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013). This need for a good health care plan is because of the affect that having an extra chromosome has on the developmental process of the body (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013).

Like everything, each person can be affected in different ways and to various extents or degrees. Outlined by the HSE (HSE.ie, 2018) and Down Syndrome Ireland (Downsydrome.ie, 2013), they classify the following as physical symptoms which can be related to down syndrome: small, low positioned ears, back of head (occiput) is flat, small mouth capacity due to a moderately bigger tongue, which then leads to a protruding tongue, flattened nose bridge, vertical skin folds (epicanthic folds) between the upper eyelids and inner corner of the eye.

More bodily features include short fingers, they may have the facial feature of a small, flat and low bridged nose, broad hands with a single crease across the palm, loose skin on the back of the neck (nuchal fold) in newborns, loose joints especially in babies (they may seem ‘floppy’), poor muscle tone (hypotonia). However, this can improve as they grow older over time or with support from a physiotherapy professional during their infant or early childhood stage. There is an attribute called Brushfield spots where on the iris, the part of your eye that is colourful, can be seen to have white spots. Their eyes may slant upward and may have additional upper lid skin fold, known as an epicanthic fold (downsyndrome.ie, 2013). Research proves that most individuals with down syndrome have a slow metabolic rate, this means that they are at an increased risk of weight issues in comparison to others of their age and stays a constant issue despite their age.

Although it may be easier to detect down syndrome due to physical symptoms the child may have, according to Richardson Gill (2017), there are distinguished medical difficulties which could be recognised as a symptom. For example, he states that congenital heart defects, impact on senses such as hearing or poor sight, cataracts in the eyes, chronic constipation or obesity. Some may experience leukemia, dementia or danger with interrupted breathing during sleep called sleep apnea. Statistics say that about half of young children with down syndrome who are born with heart defects can use avail of operations to correct such issues and the same with intestinal issues (Gavin, M. 2015). When suffering from sickness, such as respiratory infections, their recovery time is more prolonged than an average child’s time.

The national health system in Ireland (HSE.ie, 2018) also classify learning difficulties and signs of delayed development as symptoms of down syndrome. For example, they state that their difficulties with learning can be anywhere from ‘mild to moderate’. This ranges from the child struggling with solving problems, having difficulties remembering either short-term or long-term facts, they may suffer with short attention span or not fully comprehensive of their consequences resulting from their previous actions.

There can be small delays in the norm pattern of development, both physically and mentally but it should be acknowledged that the majority, if not all of them, can learn to possess the identical skills as others to function mentally and socially (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013). The early movement of babies can often be quite mentally demanding, but for children with down syndrome they arrive at a milestone later when beginning to crawl, walk, language, reading or socialization and interaction skills (HSE.ie, 2018). They are impacted with their physical growth in terms of their height, reaching at an average of about 5.2 foot for men and women are faintly shorter at 4.6 foot tall.

Therapy

There is no special secret to preventing or treating down syndrome, the best way to try to establish that the child has a pleasant, comfortable life is through professional therapists with their suggested therapies.

Flick (2012) has published a paper examining the conditions and problems of growing a child with ASD and how potential application of horticultural therapy can assist them. According to Simson and Straus (1998) a horticultural therapist facilitates a serene environment in a natural space and works with the child towards specific treatment goals. This type of therapy location is ideal for addressing issues such as development levels, sensory overload and necessary mundane skills without stressing the child. It is easily integrated into existing therapies to ensure their skill stages are met, while slow progress and medical conditions are acknowledged. There’s the added benefit of possibly reducing the hyper- or hypo-sensitivities (stress), while their self-motivation increases and socialization improves. Overall, there is a benefit to the health of the child as there is a flexibility with adjusting to the resources involved, such as materials and settings, which make it more feasible for the child to engage regardless of their conditions.

A professional physiotherapist has the knowledge to care for the child, to help ensure and stimulate a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. They can use techniques that suit the child such as massage or manipulation that enhance their range of momentum, bodily abilities. For instance, this is used in cases of babies suffering with a weak muscle tone structure and need the assistance to roll, creep, walk. The physiotherapy can help strengthen their muscle to reduce hypotonia (HSE.ie, 2018).

Due to the psychical characteristic of the enlarged tongue, a speech therapist’s strengthening exercises of the lips and tongue can help with the protrusion to be better handled. Together they can work communication skills such as forms of verbal with language or non-verbal, body movements leading to better social skills to survive (HSE.ie, 2018).

Occupational therapists are similar to life coaches because they are a practical support system for those wanting to live with less dependence on others. They break down situations into more manageable instructions and helping them to learn to achieve independent success, eg. hypotonia and co-ordination for feeding (HSE.ie, 2018).

Conclusion

Down Syndrome Ireland (Downsyndrome.ie, 2013) like to say that ‘every person is an individual and this is no different for the person with Down syndrome’. This is a true and positive statement as even though there are some psychical variations between body shapes and sizes, mental activity and standardized stages of development there is no need to marginalize them from society. With the correct support, planning and awareness for them as an individual and what is included in the disorder of down syndrome, they have every right and opportunity to live happily with this childhood disorder.

Bibliography

1. Downsyndrome.ie. (2013). Pp 3-18 [online] Available at: https://downsyndrome.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Down-Syndrome-%E2%80%93-What-is-it-all-about.pdf [Accessed 22nd of March, 2020]
2. Flick, M. (2012) The Application of a Horticultural Therapy Program for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture. Vol. 22, No. 1 (2012), pp. 38-45 (8 pages) Published by: American Horticultural Therapy Association.
3. Gavin, M. (2015) Down Syndrome [online] Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/down-syndrome.html [accessed on 23rd of March, 2020]
4. Health A-Z (2018) Down Syndrome. [online] Available at: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/d/down’s-syndrome/ [accessed on 23rd of March, 2020]
5. Richardson Gill, K. (2017) [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/down-syndrome [accessed on 23rd of March, 2020]

The court has the authority to issue orders on PRR in Scotland, taking the welfare of the child as its main concern so that orders are made in the child’s best interest. This essay will discuss the factors courts evaluate when determining the ‘welfare of the child’ and if the 2020 Act will improve the law.

In order to assess the welfare of the child the courts take a number of factors into account under Section 11(7) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, which states that “the welfare of the child is the court’s top priority, and will not make any order unless it is better for the child to make one than none at all”. Further, taking the child’s maturity and age into account, and gives the child a chance to specify whether he wishes to express his views and if so, let him consider those views. Therefore, this section shows that when the court reaches a decision, it has to be based on the welfare of the child as it is the main concern. Lord MacDermott illustrates this in J v C.

The protection of the child is taken into account under section 11(7C) from things like abuse and harassment, which could lead to physical and mental injury or any risk in which the child may be abused. Case law that exemplifies this is J v M, where a father is accused of sexual abuse, although he was not charged, the court felt it was probable and not in the child’s best interest for the father to have contact with the child. This illustrates the importance of the child’s protection, whereby the child’s interests will come first. This means that the court can develop results that are flexible and responsive to the requirements of each child, therefore this approach recognizes the child’s fragility. However, this approach can also be seen as inadequate, which can cause ‘uncertainty’ This is because the judge is unaware of the exact facts as there can be contradictory evidence from the parents of their relationship history. Therefore, the court may forecast to what extent the parents can take care of their child.

Further, under section 11 (7D) the court will consider if it is acceptable to issue an order in cases where two or more people must collaborate with one another. The case Treasure v McGrath 2006 exemplifies this as the father was refused when applying for PRR as he did not have her best interest at heart. This demonstrates that an order can be refused if not required or does not serve a specific objective.

In comparison to other jurisdictions, there is no ‘official checklist’ when assessing the welfare of the child. The 1995 Act was amended by the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006, regarding the court to consider two types of concerns within the Act. Therefore, this generates an ‘unofficial’ checklist. This is because other important factors are not regarded when concluding the child’s welfare such as financial, genetic, and religious. However, case law such as M v M 2011 shows that the key factor is that the child is satisfied with the current condition, showing that courts are resistant to changing the state of affairs as the welfare of the child comes first. As there is no ‘official’ checklist in place, this makes the principal inadequate. Therefore, having a clear statutory structured checklist could improve the law.

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 goal is to put in place a checklist of factors so that the court can follow these for cases regarding family law. The Act amends the current factors by repealing section 11(7-7E) of the 1995 Act and introducing section 1 11ZA, which keeps two present tests. The first is that the child’s welfare is paramount and whether it would be necessary to make an order, introducing provisions on harm that a delay in proceedings would cause to the child’s welfare under section 1 11ZA (2A). The checklist is under section 1 11ZA (3) (a-e), containing essential factors such as protection from abuse, harassment, and any risk which affects the child. Section 1 11ZB repeats the third principle of the present welfare test. This is a significant change by repealing the 1995 Act of age assumptions for youngsters expressing their opinion, but keeping the fact that the presumption is exclusively relevant for the grounds of instructing a solicitor.

The new amendments made by the Act will improve the law, to a slight extent. This is because the checklist is adjustable and not arranged with the goal of producing a constructive result for the child, due to the lack of essential factors taken into account. Further, there is not much change in the legislation since the court will decide what is in the child’s best interest. However, section 16 of the 2020 Act has improved the law as it contributes to the advancement of Scottish law due to being compatible with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, such as Articles 5 and 18. A case that exemplifies the importance of this is C v C 1988. Section 1 11ZA highlights the emphasis accorded to hearing children’s ideas by removing the age of 12 for age presumption in the 1995 Act, this improves the law as it allows courts to hear from children of all ages which also complies with Article 12 of UNCRC. However, when children are obliged to participate in family court, the Bill fails to go into any detail on how they would help them, for example, a child support worker. This shows that the 2020 Act only made a slight impact on the law.

In conclusion, it is evident that in determining the ‘welfare of the child’ the courts conclude their decision based on statutory and non-statutory grounds. The 2020 Act did improve the law to a slight extent, however, it would have improved the law further if it had introduced the changes in the 2019 Bill. Therefore, to improve the law, additional amendments must be constructed, by going into detail on how they would help the children and making the court more favorable for children so that it is less intimidating.