Category: Family

Abstract

When counseling, questions have a significant role; they enable the interviewer and interviewee to engage in various aspects. Linear and systemic questions have a significant impact on the performance of the interview. Counselors make use of these types of questions to gain insights into the problem experienced by the interviewee. To understand the role of systemic and linear questions, an interview was conducted with fellow students.

Foundations in Couple and Family Therapy

Interviewing my peer to gather information regarding marriage and family therapists was a crucial project. I viewed the activity to be relevant because many issues usually arise when performing clinical therapy. I expected the project to be significant in enhancing my understanding of marriage and family therapist. Conducting the project was crucial as it aided comprehension of the various strategies when gathering information from people who have experienced marriage and family difficulties.

The Interview

The interview process was significant in changing my perception regarding marriage partners and family problems. The type of question posed to the family determines the outcome and their engagement in the activity. Furthermore, the experience of interviewing my peer enhanced the perception of the role of a psychiatrist in maintaining the clients confidence. It is important to create an environment built by the trust to enable the client to speak. Patience is necessary when handling clients who have trouble talking about the problem.

Interview Themes

When preparing to be a counselor in marriage and family, the interview provides the required experience and skills. The interview process generates themes that are crucial when handling people from diverse backgrounds. The linear and systemic question themes create an environment of understanding between the therapist and the client, enhancing their relationship.

• Linear Question Themes. The reason for using linear questions in the interview is for gathering investigative information. Linear questions have a crucial role in the interview as they tend to provide individual information about the interviewee. The questions are usually closed with deliberate answers that are challenging to review insights. Despite the interviewee providing certain detailed responses, it is evident that the linear questions lacked crucial information. The therapist has to be cautious because linear questions may lead to various issues during the interview process, such as negative judgment because of the behavior and thoughts (Patterson et al., 2018). Questions such as How do you think your family feels about you pursuing a career in Marriage and family therapy? led to theme emergence. The interviewee highlighted the importance of helping people with family problems. Furthermore, the interviewee mentioned the significance of the study in abetting his family. The interviewee also mentioned the support the family provided, especially when pursuing a masters degree. The family aided in fulfilling the professional and personal goals of the interviewee.
• Systemic Question Themes. The theme from the systematic question is the provision of more information when compared to the linear question. Through systemic questions, the interviewees values and morals are well portrayed as the interviewee is led by the professional and the personal path (Tomm, 1988). The interviewee reflected on the various issue that led to conflict between the wife and his brother. The interviewee comprehended the situation and identified the situation that required to be mended. The interviewee also reflected on the significance of the relationship between the family members and his wife. This was enhanced through the provision of detailed information regarding the family relationship. The systemic question played a crucial role in providing accurate and reliable information. During the discussion process, the interviewee portrayed moral patterns focused mainly on family obligations such as provision and caring. These obligations seemed to be the foundation of pursuing a career in counseling.
• Compare and contrast the themes. The content of the linear and systemic questions differed significantly in certain cases. Linear questions focused on the interviewee as an individual, while the systemic question focused on the morals and values of the individual. The linear question aimed at providing basic information regarding the interviewee to create a starting point where the problem is identified. The family values and education between the two systems were important aspects, and they focused on giving insights into the problem.
• Theorist influences. Couples therapy by Gottman is an effective therapy in ensuring a stable relationship. Gottman shows various factors that lead to divorce between couples and the couples requirements to ensure a successful family relationship (Cigno et al., 2017). The theorist influences the field of family therapy through the provision of key principles that enhance success in marriages. These include creating love maps, expressing admiration, accepting influence, solving problems, conflict management, and creating shared meaning.

Interviewer Role

• Stance. Taking a stance when implementing linear questions was mainly based on the perspective of the observer. There were moments of silence, especially when a reflection on a certain question required the interviewee to reexamine the question. The systemic questioning method led to an informal discussion where it opened several avenues of discussion topics on the interviewees life. The questions allowed participation of both sides with enabled sharing of views and life stories.
• Relationship with the interviewee. With linear questions, the direct response from the interviewee was provided for questions such as age, siblings, and parental relationship. Linear questions acted as a caution, which made the client not undergo further exploration on the questions. After a short period of relaxation, a shift to the systemic question was necessary, and the interviewee was able to provide the information easily. The shift enabled the interviewee to focus more on the area under discussion, which paved the way for deep connection.
• Multicultural/diversity issues. It is important to be conversant with the diverse cultural background of the clients. Understanding cultural diversity creates a conducive environment for the clients (Lewis et al., 2021). Focusing on cultural differences, gender, age, and beliefs create a respect and appreciation environment where the clients feel safe and honored (Diamond et al., 2021). This enables the clients to talk about various issues they face without fear of being underrated by certain cultures or perspectives. The interview put into consideration these factors, which enabled the interviewee to provide crucial information.
• Curiosity. Mentioning the marital status made me curious, especially about how the family influences personal and professional goals. I took a stance at this point to enable the interviewee to give more information on the topic. I was informed based on the mental health disorders and the relationship between the conditions described by the interviewee. In the process, I forgot the interviewees focus when I began sympathizing with the interviewee.
• Bias/Triggers: Biasness was generated when answering the education question. The family of the interviewee believes that education is the key to success in marriage life. The interviewees view was similar to my personal view, which could have resulted in the change of focus of the interview. The answer had the potential to alter the target of the interview.
• Assessment of Interviewer. The interview assessment provided a glimpse of how the future interview with the client should be done. When posing the queries, it is important to consider the body movements and the tone used. When asking systemic questions such as What do your children want for your family? it is important to reframe the question in that it provides more insight into the expectations of the interviewee children.

What I Learned

The project has made me understand the importance of systemic questions. It is important to consider deviation from the question to enable the interviewee to provide crucial information. I learned that there are situations where one tends to deviate during the interview process, and having goals is important in guiding the interview process. I learned that it is important to understand the situation as not every question is applicable.

References

Cigno, A., Komura, M., & Luporini, A. (2017). Self-enforcing family rules, marriage and the (non)neutrality of public intervention. Journal Of Population Economics, 30(3), 805-834.

Diamond, G., Diamond, G., & Levy, S. (2021). Attachment-based family therapy: Theory, clinical model, outcomes, and process research. Journal Of Affective Disorders, 294, 286-295.

Lewis, K., Spruch-Feiner, A., & Ridenour, J. (2021). Clinical interviewing. Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology.

Patterson, J., Williams, L., Edwards, T., Chamow, L., & Grauf-Grounds, C. (2018). Essential skills in family therapy (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.

Tomm, K. (1988). Interventive Interviewing: Part III. Intending to Ask Lineal, Circular, Strategic, or Reflexive Questions? Family Process, 27(1), 1-15.

Introduction

Socialization is an incredibly essential process that should appear in the life of every child. This process lasts during their whole life and allows individuals to function effectively and successfully in their social worlds, as well as learn about various social expectations. Precisely socialization provides people with many vital skills, including feeding themselves, walking, and talking! It also helps them fit into society and distinguish between appropriate and unacceptable behavior (Mitchell et al., 2020). There are several agents of socialization: social media, peers, parents, school, religion, government, and the workplace, and the purpose of this paper is to talk about the most important of the  family.

Family as an Agent of Socialization

It is well-known that parents, siblings, and other relatives can have a rather strong influence on a person. During the first years of life, it is the family that shapes a childs behavior, character traits, and views on the world (Grusec & Hastings, 2014). It is also typical that kids to adopt their parents system of values and beliefs (Save, 2019). According to researchers, mothers and fathers, siblings and grandparents, plus members of an extended family, all teach a child what he or she needs to know (Agents of socialization, n.d.). Therefore, the family provides their kids with primary skills and knowledge; without them, it is impossible or extremely challenging to continue socialization and enter the world.

Conclusion

To conclude, one may say that considering family to be the key agent of socialization is rather rationalized. Most people would agree that they can feel the influence of their relatives throughout their lives, and this is the reason why some people prefer not to communicate with some family members. Additionally, it is also possible to explain some specific behaviors by analyzing the situation in the family. Finally, all parents need to be aware of their role in the socialization of their children.

References

Agents of socialization. (n.d.). Lumen Learning. Web.

Grusec, J. E., & Hastings, P. D. (2014). Handbook of socialization: Theory and research. Guilford Publications.

Mitchell, K., Burrows, M., & Staley, K. (2020). Preparing for university reading. Pressbooks.

Save, B. E. (2019). What are agents of socialization? World Atlas.

Introduction

The progressive social and cultural organization has led to changes in the structure and concept. A family is the backbone of any society, and therefore, it is a societys basic structure. The traditional definition of a family, the basic structure of a community, is too narrow to give modern families their wholesome purpose. Social factors such as divorce, intermarriages, and re-marriages have led to the change of family definition. Furthermore, while traditionally a family comprises members with blood-relations, modern families constitute members without blood relations. Step-families, blended families, and adopted family members lack blood relations with their family members. The law has also come in forming a family, and it does not restrict divorce, re-marriages, and children adoption. Therefore, the family definition has changed over time due to social factors such as re-marriages, inter-marriages, divorces, and adoption of other members into the family.

Traditional Families

Blood relation is a common feature among traditional family members. A traditional family consists of a man, a woman, and their biological children, also referred to as a nuclear family (Wanting, 2021). Further, traditional families consist of extended members such as uncles, aunts, and others. Adopted children are also part of a conventional family, though not related by blood. However, blood relation was a common feature of a traditional family. An extended family consists of more than one nuclear family related by blood. Uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, and other blood relatives form an extended family. Traditional family members are related by blood except for adopted members.

Same-family members marriages were restricted among societies with strict moral codes. Therefore, there was no family formation between members from the same family. Furthermore, some communities had strict rules against divorce, which would result in severe consequences (Caroll, 2021). Therefore, divorce was uncommon in traditional marriages resulting in less dissolved families. As society shifts towards social issues such as equality and freedom of expression, many modern families have come up.

Modern Families

Factors such as civilization, urbanization, and laws suiting existing society have led to the rise of modern families. Many laws, including international humanitarian laws, allow freedom of expression and other human rights. Consequently, many couples have divorced marriages that encumber their enjoyment of such rights. The courts have been at the frontline in supporting divorce cases backed up with inequality during the marriage. Furthermore, many countries have enacted laws allowing homosexuality and freedom of sexual expression. There is a rise in the number of same sex-marriages. Adoption of children has led to the formation of children homes, which recognize themselves as families. Divorce and the dynamic laws have led to the formation of modern families.

Divorce and Modern Families Formation

Divorce involves a legal marriage dissolution presiding over a court or any competent body. Divorces result from various factors such as lack of commitment, extramarital affairs, substance abuse, domestic abuse, among others. Furthermore, urbanization has necessitated divorce cases due to distance between couples. The consequences of divorce include the formation of new types of families. Divorced couples may decide, after divorce, to either get married or stay single. Reconstituted and single-parent families are a result of divorce among couples.

Reconstituted Families

Divorced couples may decide to enter another marriage and move to a new union with their children. Reconstituted families are formed when newly married individuals carry their children to the new marriage (Goss, 2019). Reconstituted families are also referred to as blended families or stepfamilies. The majority of American families have shifted from their original marriages to new marriages. Over fifty percent of the American families are either remarried or re-coupled (The Stepfamily Foundation Inc., n.d). The formation of blended families shifts the traditional definition of a family since it involves children who may not be biological to married couples.

Single-Parent Families

Some couples opt to stay single after divorce and raise their children. A family headed by one divorced parent is called a sing-parent family. The family can also result from extramarital affairs among unmarried couples. In 2020, about 15 million children lived with a single mother, while about 3.3 million children lived with a single father (Shipe, Ayer and Guastaferro, 2022). In the traditional nuclear families, which had both parents, a single-parent is overwhelmed with taking all the family responsibilities. However, the courts have intervened in a divorce, and often the duties would be equitably shared among the divorcing couples. Unlike the traditional nuclear family definition, a single-parent family negates one parents presence.

Homosexuality Families Formation

Homosexualism was considered a moral issue in the past, but recent research indicates that sexual orientation is caused by complex genetic interplay environmental and hormonal influences. Many societies and religions reject same-sex relationships and advocate legislation banning such relationships. For instance, Ghana voted for legislation restricting gay and transgender people from same-sex marriages. The legislation punished the crime with a five-year sentence (Jjuuko and Tabengwa, 2018). Despite the restrictions against same-sex relationships in various countries, countries like the United States have laws generous to homosexuals. Consequently, homosexuals can get married and form families in the United States. The same-sex family definition does not include biological children and is difficult to distinguish between a wife and husband in such marriage.

Problems of Modern Families

The dynamic shift in definition and concept of family, over time, has led to problems affecting the family members. Since the traditional family identifies a family composed of parents with their biological parents, modern families have been stigmatized. Some societies are scornful against same-sex, step-parents, and single-parent families. Therefore, many modern families lack happiness and free interaction, which are family formation. Furthermore, stepfamilies have been subject to violence leading to psychological disorders among children and other family members. Some single-parents are overwhelmed with their families financial needs if their divorced partners are not responsible. As the definition of a family changes over time, social and physical problems are associated with the changes.

Conclusion

While a family is described as parents and their biological children, the changing societal interactions have changed the definition. Civilization has led to new interactions and new social problems such as divorce. Divorce results in disagreement between the married couple and are presided over in a court of law. Divorced couples may decide to remit, leading to blended and step-parent families. The couples may also choose to remain single, leading to single-parent families. Same-sex relationships are permitted in various countries leading to the formation of similar-sex families. The dynamic family concept has led to social problems such as violence, financial burdens, family dissolutions, and psychological disorders. Defining a family is an arduous task, given the changing perceptions on family formation and family members.

References

Carroll, M.M., 2021. SIX. Iniquitous Partners. In Homesteads Ungovernable (pp. 133-162). University of Texas Press. Web.

Goss, R.E., 2019. Queering procreative privilege: Coming out as families. In Our Families, Our Values (pp. 3-20). Routledge.

Jjuuko, A. and Tabengwa, M., 2018. Expanded criminalisation of consensual same-sex relations in Africa: contextualising recent developments. Envisioning global LGBT human rights:(Neo) colonialism, neoliberalism, resistance and hope, pp.63-96. Web.

Shipe, S.L., Ayer, L. and Guastaferro, K., 2022. American Single Father Homes: A Growing Public Health Priority. American journal of public health, 112(1), pp.21-23. Web.

The Stepfamily Foundation Inc. (n.d.). Stepfamily Statistics. Web.

Wanting, S.H.I., 2021. Characteristics of Time-space Utilization and Its Gender Differences in Traditional Family Model: A Case Study of Stem Family and Nuclear Family. Journal of Landscape Research, 13(4).

Introduction

Infidelity is the main cause of divorce in America today. Infidelity is a vice that is causing stains in families, among many other ills that come with it. It has been shown many times that groups of people sharing common beliefs and attitudes tend to behave in the same manner.

Infidelity behavior is no exception to this reality. In this paper, I will show that cultural views of infidelity vary according to economic status, education level, religious values, family values, and societal acceptance within a community or country.

After all, these are the issues that define our identity apart from our perspective of issues around us, determining our general behavior and character. In many cases, economic and other variables stated here do not act on their singly. Rather, they form a complex network with the other variable mentioned to affect infidelity behavior. (Druckerman, 2008)

Discussion

We live in a capitalist society meaning that peoples economic capacity has a bearing on so many other things in their lives. The evidence of this reality is so much that the stratification of our societies can be clearly seen by peoples living standards, education, and behavior, among other measuring parameters that can be seen.

Economic status, therefore, affects cultural views of infidelity within a community in many ways. First, people of lower economic status, especially women, can be sexually exploited by people with better economic status. Those on lower economic status may actually view infidelity as a gateway to a better life.

There is even an attitude that has been adopted by rich men, whereby they consider it easier in their part to lure any woman into a sexual relationship since they can easily entice them by their financial resources.

Although there is a slight shift in our modern society, which may cause women to play the same role towards the opposite sex, men were wired naturally to provide materially and in other ways for women. It is, therefore, quite a challenge for someone less economically empowered to resist infidelity, especially in the face of having a chance to benefit economically. (Druckerman, 2008)

Besides, economic status determines so many other things in a persons life. Children in affluent families, for example, are likely to grow up in good environments where they experience love, attention, and a generally better quality of life. This empowers them to develop confidence knowing that they can confidently walk in some values.

This may, therefore, develop a more resilient character in them that is more likely to stand against infidelity when they start families as compared from those that have come from poor upbringings. Besides, in family life, couples that are economically empowered are likely to have lesser problems in their marriage life as compared to those from marriages of lower economic status.

First, they are likely to have time for each other, unlike their other counterparts, who are likely to spend most of their time working in order to earn a living. Secondly, lack and scarcity of financial resources are likely to cause conflicts in a family. These couples can develop an attitude for their marriage, becoming an easier prey of infidelity. (Pittman, 1990)

Closely related to economic status, education level is another factor that greatly determines fidelity cultural values within a society. Education is an important way of empowering people in the society. It provides knowledge on academic and social issues and builds confidence within an individual.

It later determines someones economic statue by determining the kind of job, business, or an income generation activity that someone can undertake. Nearly all economic determinants that affect infidelity, some of which have been described above, can, therefore, be linked to varying educational levels among people. (Druckerman, 2008)

Generally, people with high educational levels tend to have a desire to attain fulfillment in life. They are, therefore, likely to value the marriage institution and work diligently to maintain a healthy relationship within their families. This, in turn, translates to a cultural value that does not condone infidelity because the family, including the wife, husband, and child, have been given priority.

The reverse is true for people with low levels of education who are likely to invest less energy in their families, encouraging infidelity as a result. Moreover, education tends to develop good social, rapport, and communication skills within an individual.

These are skills that come in exceptionally handy in maintaining a healthy marriage relationship. This kind of family is likely to nurture values that go against the storm of infidelity, among other issues that may weaken or break marriages. (Druckerman, 2008)

Education develops high self-esteem and confidence within an individual. An educated person is highly concerned about his/her image and would tend to have a desire to maintain high standards in every area of his/her life. This translates to a culture of values against infidelity in several ways. Research has shown that low self-esteem is one of the contributing factors that lead to infidelity.

For example, a husband with high self-esteem is likely to gain respect, and as a result, faithfulness from his wife than one with lower self-esteem. Moreover, low self-esteem contributes highly to promoting conflict within families, something that can easily lead to weak families, making it easier for couples to develop a culture of infidelity. (Pittman, 1990)

Religious institutions play a great role in instilling moral values in people. These values touch on infidelity in one way or another. Most religions have teachings that highly discourage infidelity in society. These values are directly passed to people that are affiliated with these religions. People tend to adopt religious values on varying levels. These values determine their behaviors and morals, including infidelity.

It is an obvious observation that people with committed members of religious groups believe that they will, at one time, be accountable for all their actions when God judges their doings. Although many people believe these in society, committed members of religious groups are always conscious of this belief, something that causes them to develop a cultural value that is against infidelity, among other immoral behaviors.

It is, however, easier for people to engage in infidelity and other controversial behaviors when they do not acknowledge accountability to God. This is especially true when other factors touching on their behaviors have not discouraged them from doing so. In such cases, religious values are the only thing that can prevent a person from participating in behaviors like infidelity.

Several studies have shown that strict adherents of religious institutions are less likely to develop a culture of infidelity when compared to other people. Moreover, religion can be a source of strength and tends to give people direction and purpose in life. This automatically translates to a positive family life that cultivates values against infidelity. (Druckerman, 2008)

People inherit so much from their families. The family is the single most influential institution in our society. We inherit beliefs, values, attitudes, wealthy, education, and many other things from our families. It is, therefore, true that cultural values touching on infidelity are directly and indirectly passed to us by our families.

Children who have grown up watching their parents practice infidelity sometimes openly without hiding it are almost certainly to develop the same kind of values in them, for example. On the other hand, children who have grown up in healthy families that instill a culture against infidelity through words and practice are likely to bring up children that would maintain the same kind of values in their families.

Religious values passed to children would automatically affect their beliefs and general behaviors in the future, including infidelity. Moreover, economic wealth passed to children would affect their infidelity values. As discussed earlier, the same applies to the educational attainment of children that is passed to them by their families. (Pittman, 1990)

There is always a feeling of societal judgment on every individual, something that tends to influence his or her behaviors and character in one way or another. Infidelity values have increased in our modern society as compared to a number of societies that existed in the past since it has tended to condone this practice rather than condemn it.

Different societies uphold deferent values to varying degrees, which in turn translates to peoples values, including values related to infidelity. Some of the important determinants in societal values include stars, leaders, and the media, among others. In our society today, most of these determinants play to promote infidelity translating to an increase of infidelity behaviors that we witness today. (Pittman, 1990)

Conclusion

As can be seen, economic levels, educational levels, religious values, family values, and societal acceptance influence cultural infidelity values in a society. These variables largely determine our values. They do not act in isolation, but they are interrelated in a complex to subconsciously determine our actions, decisions, and values in general.

References List

Druckerman, P. (2008) Lust in Translation: The Rules of Infidelity from Tokyo to Tennessee, Penguin Press HC.

Pittman, F. (1990) Private Lies: Infidelity and the Betrayal of Intimacy, W. W. Norton & Company.

Overview and Background of the Social Policy Chosen

Family and domestic violence is an issue that can affect people of all races, genders, religions, sexual preferences, and income levels. Economic, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse are all examples of domestic and family violence. Domestic violence results in impaired mental and physical health, diminished productivity, worse quality of life, and, in rare circumstances, death (Heron et al., 2021). Family and domestic abuse can be hard to spot. Many incidents are not reported to medical personnel or law enforcement officials. There are many specific policies in Australia to combat this issue. However, the application and interpretation of such laws have come into question (Taylor, 2020). The law in question is the Family Law Act 1975, which mentions domestic violence.

Historically, domestic abuse was considered a physical issue that included only physical violence in the context of this law. Religion excused the use of physical force toward women and children. Early marriage laws permitted men to hit their wives, which is the reason why throughout most of the 20th century, domestic violence remained a serious problem (Henrich et al., 2012). According to Taylor (2016), the anti-stalking laws of the 1990s were critical in changing the attitude of the Australian government toward marital abuse because they discussed threats of violence and psychological abuse. Before this law, there were no repercussions for offenders until the treats were acted upon.

Now, all jurisdictions in Australia consider domestic or family violence as not only physical abuse but also emotionally, psychologically or economically abusive behaviour (Taylor, 2016, p. 98). The Tasmanian law of 2004 introduced summary offenses that include such behaviours. It directly criminalized the emotionally and economically abusive behaviour if the plaintiffs could prove psychological harm resulting from the family members actions. The piece of legislation is named The Family Violence Act of 2004 (Tas), and it punishes the offender with a fine or a maximum period of two years of imprisonment.

Relevance of the Policy

Social work plays a role in recognizing and preventing abuse in the home. Policies as a group advocacy form can prevent domestic violence and create safer relationships. Advocating concerns to policymakers can lead to positive change and ensure the safety of many domestic violence victims and their families (Nicolas, 2014). Family violence reforms, such as the Family Violence Act of 2004, have raised awareness of the nature and effects of family violence among the general population (STRICKLAND, 2014). It gives legal and social ground to movements to create shelters and administer frontline care to victims of domestic abuse.

Such shelters assist victims of domestic violence by offering emergency shelters, support in overcoming financial abuse, psychological care, and assistance with housing issues. Millions of community members get education and prevention programming from these initiatives. Such a shelter is the White Ribbon Australia movement, mostly consisting of men who strive to change public opinion and apathy toward victims of family violence through education (Fisher, 2012). The movement assists children of domestic violence victims, along with technical help and training programs. It saved millions of lives and gave survivors and their children the vital help they require to recover from violence in a family relationship.

The Coronavirus pandemic spawned another domestic violence problem in Australia. During the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic regarding the economy and other factors, abusers had more power and influence over their partners in the COVID-19 situation (Piquero, 2021). Victims in such circumstances were more socially isolated and had fewer possibilities to engage with others who were able to help because stay-at-home orders were in place for the majority of those states. With their abusers nearby, they were less likely to contact crisis hotlines and escape the risk of consequences if they ran away. The Australian government, under Prime Minister Scott Morrison, has provided $150 million to support services (Andina et al., 2020). The emergency legislation came as a response to domestic violence, the reports of which increased significantly during the quarantine. In addition, the Mason government also assisted with $3 million to local and national service providers that help with domestic violence counselling. These actions were to help victims of domestic violence escape the situation, whereas otherwise, they would have been trapped.

Key Social Issues Related to Social Policy Development

Abuse in the home is a prevalent issue that severely impacts a persons psyche. The impacts of domestic violence are visible in social life, as people get psychological traumas and mental disorders that can worsen their relations with family and co-workers and thus, weaken their social position in the community (Alejo, 2014). Also, it is possible to notice a crucial impact on business and that the decrease in productivity level is becoming an important issue (Fana et al., 2020). One of the most obvious social problems related to domestic abuse is gender-based violence, which has its roots in gender inequity. Gender-based violence is defined as violence directed against a person based on their gender. It affects both men and women; however, women and girls suffer from it the most. Domestic violence is related to many social issues, which are addressed in various ways.

Many victims were hesitant to ask for help because they had a fear of being abused again by their partners and were concerned about leaving their life behind. Women were worried that they would not be able to handle their finances alone or that they would be treated as mentally unstable (Edwards et al., 2012). In addition, victims were often blamed that they deserved to be abused based on stereotypes about women, such as she was aggressive or too demanding at first.

Spousal abuse in Australia is not a social norm anymore because of the development of social policies to fight this issue. Currently, it is not accepted as an inevitable or private matter. The change in attitude has come about thanks to the transformation of ideas about the roles and rights of women in society. Policies aimed at fighting domestic violence contribute to the resolving of gender inequality issues since such law enforcements assist women in searching for ways to escape the life situations where they feel oppressed.

Au pairs provide a unique opportunity for abuse in Australia. An au pair is a foreigner that helps with housework and childcare; typically, they are women. The women participating in au pairing are vulnerable because they are usually young, with a small support network, and speak a different language. They are in a unique position for being victims of violence because they are foreigners without a job in a country, where they could be subject to discrimination. According to Brennan et al. (2021), the Australian police force could not respond adequately to a hate crime report. These factors expose them to labour exploitation, sexual harassment, physical abuse, and forced isolation (Mayes, 2020). Besides the abuse, au pairs often feel they cannot leave due to limited opportunities in their country of living and may not be aware of the ways to persecute their abusers legally.

Relevant Policy Responses

Policies committed to advancing effective responses to eliminate violence and promote healthy relationships in families and communities are essential. Answers to the problem of domestic and family violence depend on an evaluation of how battered womens needs are in the current legal system. Since the passage of The Family Violence Act of 2004 (Tas), the government response to domestic violence has grown to encompass several agencies and initiatives, such as pursuing criminal charges, offering more resources to abusers and victims, and conducting investigations (Taylor, 2020). The law provides support for frontline social service workers, which are the primary vehicles for federal support to prevent and respond to domestic violence, including for children and youth who are exposed to domestic violence. However, more should be done to prevent such issues, especially after the Coronavirus pandemic and au pairs.

Currently, in many European countries, certain policy actions are already in place to prevent domestic abuse toward au pairs. They are a mandatory national register of host families and au pairs, targeted funding to develop the capacities of NGOs to provide material and counseling support, and the development of enforceable standards (Mayes, 2020). These government and NGO interventions prevent economic abuse and trafficking of au pairs. One of the most relevant policy responses is COVID-19. The Australian government combats COVID-19-related difficulties such as testing or getting access to medical care for millions of domestic violence survivors. Their funding will reduce the barriers to health services that help mitigate the spread of the virus among domestic violence survivors. However, it is still needed to identify both the short- and long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the risk for domestic violence and subsequent consequences.

Prevention of abuse depends upon local participation from police forces. Police response to witnessing domestic violence or noticing victim-like behaviour among people with risk factors for intimate partner violence and abuse. According to Brennan et al. (2021) training and development to ensure the training reflects the fact that tackling domestic abuse is core policing business (p. 8). The primary objective of police is to immediately isolate the victim of abuse from the aggressor and take them out of the home. In-person or online training, showing educational videos that explain domestic or family abuse is critical in helping police forces prevent escalations of violence that could result in the fatality of the victims. A majority of police force attend such training sessions, regardless of their roles or positions.

To conclude, The Family Violence Act of 2004 (Tas) was a revolutionary law that significantly impacted Australian legislation later. Social programs that are financially and legally supported by such legislation help victims of domestic violence. These programs provide care for all people suffering from past or current abuse. Victims are provided an escape from their abusers by police and therapy by social workers. COVID-19 interventions are helpful for victims of abuse to receive healthcare. Au pairs are also uniquely at-risk for domestic violence, which implies there must be more legislation in Australia to combat this issue.

References

Alejo, K. (2014). Long-term physical and mental health effects of domestic violence. Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, 2(1), 5.

Andina, J. R., Tanara, M., & Wirahman, D. P. (2020). The Correlation between the Covid-19 Pandemic and Domestic Abuse against Women: A Comparative Study Between Australia, Indonesia, and India. Jurnal Sentris, 1(2), 109-124.

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Introduction

The branch of science that studies the behavior of human beings as a team is known as sociology, which is the holistic study of the society. It involves the study and analysis of human activities in societies using empirical investigation methods. Sociology aims at explaining societal effects of social structures and institutions. Sociological theories and perspectives are frameworks that provide explanations and analysis of objects in the society to enhance understanding of the organization of the society. Sociological theories are never complete because they keep on changing from time to time. Sociological theories include macro and micro-level analysis. Macro-level analysis deals with the study of structures that characterize the society. Micro-level analysis deals with the study of interactions in different circumstances in the society. It is important to understand that proven and tested ideas and concepts by scientists are referred to as a theory by the same people who prove them, scientists. Theories are developed to widen, clarify, and magnify understanding of the behaviors of individual people and societies. Science would not be successful without theories to support explanations. Examples of sociological theories include functionalism, conflict, and interactionism. This paper will address the impacts sociological theories on the family (Kishwar, 2010).

Functionalism

Functionalism is an anthropological school of thought that began at the beginning of the 19^th century. Bronislaw Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown were the founders of the functionalist school of thought. Functionalism was mainly developed as a reaction against the 19^th century historicism, diffussionism, and evolutionary theories. Malinowski outlined shelter, food, and reproduction as physiological needs of human beings, which social institutions must fulfill. Each institution comprises technology, norms, charter, personnel, and function. Malinowski stressed that fulfillment of psychological needs is important for the success of the society (Sever, 2012).

The structure of the society has always been emphasized by Radcliff-Brown among other social scientists as compared to the biological structure. Structural functionalists view society as a complex system comprising various parts, which cooperate to maintain and enhance stability and unity in the society. As postulated by the theory, the society is a collection of various components some of which include the customs of the people, their institutions and norms. The success of the society is accomplished only with full functioning of the constituent elements. Functionalists use organic analogy to explain the role different parts of the society play. As indicated by the organic analogy, each body organ plays a major role, which enables the organism to function, reproduce, and live in an organized way. Just like the functioning of a biological living thing where the survival of the organism depends on the interaction of its parts, so does the society operate and function. Examples of components of the society include the economy, kinship ties, religion, culture, and government. The approach examines functions and structures that make the society. Functionalists examine the role played by each component in the maintenance of the society (Sever, 2012).

Conflict Theory

Conflict theory was founded by the 1800 political activist and theorist in Germany known as Karl Max. Karl Max is referred to as the father of conflict theory. His description of conflict theory and the history of class struggle are documented in Das Kapital one of his most famous works. His work has been expounded by other sociologists who came after him. Conflict theorists argue that conflicts between competing groups in the society determine human behavior. According to Karl Max, human societies should be understood in terms of social classes. He described the society in terms of conflict between workers and people who owned production means (capitalist societies). Although the descriptions of conflict theory differ among other thinkers, a major characteristic is that different groups struggle toward achievement of similar resources, which are scarce, but they do not have equal power. Conflict theory is used to provide explanations of various human behaviors, such as practices in education, which challenge or sustain ranks, crime related behaviors, and traditions about the elderly in the society. Marx stated that social life is by individuals occupation through which individuals gets their basic needs, such food, clothing, and shelter. He argued that each activity in the society is influenced by technology applied in the means of production and organization of work in the society. According to Marx, valuable things in the society arise from human labor. Individuals holding similar positions and entitled to same life chances in the market economy are said to belong to the same class. An individuals position in the economy determines his or her chance to access basic and desirable things in the society (Sljukic & Sljukic, 2011).

According to Sljukic and Sljukic (2011), material, and non-material wealth differ from an individual to another and from a social group to another in every society. Some members of the society are poor (subject class) whereas others are rich (ruling class). Marx argued that the wealthy powerful members of the society oppress and exploit the poor for individual gains. Exploitation is mainly achieved through economics and forced labor. For instance, workers are paid little wages in comparison with work done by the rich. The rich continue accumulating wealth as the poor sink in poverty. Labor, land, and capital are referred to as production means by Karl Max whereas relationship between classes and division of labor are referred to as production reactions in the society. Moreover, continual conflict between groups leads to development of the society. Marx suggested for the reorganization of the society so that ownership and control of properties is collective as the correct measure in solving the problem of class struggle in capitalistic societies.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism also referred to as interaction perspective is based on symbolic meaning attached and relied upon by people during the process of interaction. The origin of symbolic interactionism is traced from the work of Max Weber who argued that the behavior of people depends on interpretation and meaning attached to an event. This implies that peoples behaviors is determined by interpretation and meaning attached to something. This perspective was introduced in America by Herbert Mead a Philosopher in America in 1920s. Interactionism theory borrows from identification of information, cooperation, conflict, and other social process that arise from interaction of human beings. It deals with the study human behaviors resulting from interaction with other people. The theory was founded by James Parker and it has been the foundation for many theories in sociology to day since its inception in the 19^th century. It was later developed by Herbert Mead, and later expounded by Herbart Blumer who developed the concept of symbolic interactionism (Norman & Lonnie, 2011).

Interactionism is used in the analysis of the society by discussing the subjective meaning attached to certain behaviors, events, and objects by people in the society. The theory is based on the assumption that peoples behaviors are based on their beliefs rather than the truth. The society is shaped by peoples interpretation of events in the society. Social bond is formed by interpretation of individuals behavior by other members of the society. The situation is defined by interpretations. For instance, many people continue smoking despite knowledge of health hazards related to smoking. Studies show that tobacco smoking among the youths is widely spread because of its associated benefits. They argue that smoking relieves stress and brings a cooling effect on the body. The symbolic meaning attached to smoking by youths outweighs the facts of the risks associated with smoking (Norman & Lonnie, 2011).

Norman and Lonnie (2011) state that the way people learn, interpret, and provide meaning to events during interaction with other people is known as symbolic interactionism. According to Blumer, symbolic interactionism is governed three major principles, namely language, meaning, and thought. These principles determine individuals behavior and socialization with other members of the society. The behavior of human beings toward things or people is determined by the meaning attached to those things or people. Meaning is created during interaction with family and community members. The meaning attached to this is not permanent. It can be modified during the interaction process. Meaning is a major determining factor of human behavior according to symbolic interactionism. Ability to name objects is unique among human beings. The language and meaning attached to various words in the society is learned by children as they interact with peers and members of the family. This makes language the basis of forming meaning. Language acts as the vehicle through which meaning is attained in the process of interaction. According to Mead, communication, and interaction between people in the society is impossible unless people use and understand the same language. Thought deals with interpretation of information. The capacity of thinking varies from an individual to another. Because people have different thinking capacities, they also interpret information differently. The process of interpreting symbols is influenced by individuals thoughts. The language used determines individuals thoughts.

How the Theories Apply Within the Family Institution

Sociological theories are applicable within the family institution. The family is made up of the father, mother, and children, and each family member is entitled to certain duties. For instance, the head of the family (father or mother) should provide the family with basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and education. Children can help in household chores. For the success of the family, each member of the family must play his or her role. Functionalists encourage members of the family to play their role for the benefit of the whole family. Members of the family think and interpret events in different ways. This is a major challenge causing chaos in many households because of the tendency to perceive ones opinions to be right. It is important for members of the family to understand that they are created different with different thinking capacities, interests, and likes. This knowledge will help in solving problems in the family. Last, members of the family should learn to share resources equally regardless of individuals power and wealth. Instead of exploiting the poor, the rich should learn to support and change the living standards of the poor (Aldiabat & Navenec, 2011).

Similarities and Differences of Sociological Theories

According to Kishwar (2010), the three theories are applicable in the study of the structure of the society. The functionalist approach views the society as a complex system comprising various elements, which participate for the society to be stable. Symbolic interactionism focus on meaning attached to people, things, and events during the process of interaction in the society. Conflict theory focuses on power as the determining factor of human behavior. Conflict and Functionalism approaches are macro-spective while interactionism is micro-spective. Conflict and functionalist approaches do not focus on individuals but the whole society. Both approaches examine the effects of education, family, marriage, and other structures in the society on individuals. Both argue that education is the main determinant of individuals position in the society. Symbolic interactionism focuses on individuals rather than the society. The approach examines how various structures are influenced by individuals.

The three theories differ in approaches used in studying the society. Structural functionalism examines the society as a structure composed of interrelated parts, each serving its own function for the benefit of the society. Symbolic interactionism stresses of meaning attached to events in the process of interaction whereas conflict theory focuses on differences in power, for example, conflicting classes. Functionalism and conflict theory differ in the views of functions of various structures in the society. Functionalists hold that social structures must cooperate for the benefit of all members of the society. Conflict theorists hold that power and wealth are major factors that determine the degree an individual benefits from social structures (Kishwar, 2010).

Effects of Sociological Theories on the Views Individuals in the Family

Sociological theories influence views of individuals in the family about some aspects within the family. For instance, supporters of conflict theory will tend to think that people should benefit from the resources of the family on the basis of individuals power and wealth whereas critics will support equal treatment of all people. Functionalism encourages members of the family to cooperate for success of the family. Members of the family are meant to understand that they should expect differences because of differences in thinking and interpretation of events. This knowledge is important because family members learn to understand each other (Sever, 2012).

Effects of Sociological Theories on the Approach of Social Change and Perception of the Society

Knowledge of sociological theories influences changes in society as well as perception of the society by the members of the family. The behavior of members of the family will be based on understanding of the theories. If members of the family belief in functionalism, they will cooperate with other members of the society for the benefit of all. If they do not, they will not cooperate. Supporters of conflict theory will expect benefits on the basis of power and wealth whereas critics will expect equal access to resources. Interpretation and meaning attached to events and people determine the behavior of members of the family in the society. Change in the society depends on perception of various sociological theories. Differences in perception and understanding of these theories influence changes in the society (Norman & Lonnie, 2011).

Conclusion

Theories are developed to provide explanations for patterns, interactions, and events in the society. The scales of theories vary from one theory to another. For instance, the process through, which societies operate, is explained by macro-level theories, such as conflict, and structural functionalism whereas individuals interactions are explained by micro-level theories like symbolic interactionism. Sociological theories play a major role in the family.

References

Aldiabat, K. & Navenec, C. (2011). Philosophical roots of classical grounded theory: its foundations in symbolic interactionism. Qualitative Report, 16(4), 1063-1080.

Kishwar, R. (2010). Introduction to culture studies. New York, NY: Global Media.

Norman, D. & Lonnie, A. (2011). Studies in symbolic interaction, 36: interactionalism: emerging landscape. New York, NY: Emerald Group Publishing.

Sever, M. (2012). A critical look at the theories of sociology of education. International Journal of Human Sciences, 9(1), 650-671.

Sljukic, S. & Sljukic, M. (2011). Social conflict as a companion of civilizations. Annual Review of the Faculty of Philosophy, 36(2), 309-318.

Family is the fundamental unit in any society where most society members learn their behavior. However, the family has never had the same interpretations in every community. This is due to the different cultural beliefs that every society has. As a result, behavior that is considered normal in one society may not necessarily be normal in another society. Marriage, for example, has different interpretations in different countries.

Family is given a lot of importance in Islamic society, especially Saudi Arabia. Women, whether educated or not, are more respected when they are married. Consequently, women strive to get married and can even choose to be second wives, particularly when they are divorced. As a result, polygamy is normal. Men can marry more than one wife, and that will in no way be contravening any societal or governmental laws.

Nevertheless, a husband is expected to fully provide for all his wives without partiality. This is contrary to the western culture where it is a common belief that polygamy compromises the quality of a family.

According to western culture, every man is expected to marry one wife only for him to maximally concentrate well on family issues. As a result, polygamy is almost unheard of in this part of the world. No woman will allow her husband to get a second wife whatsoever. That will be taken to be a betrayal of the first wifes love. There are no women who will be willing to be taken in as the second wives either, leave alone the third one.

Notably, even Saudi first wives where polygamy is rampant do not find it amusing when their husbands get second wives. This is because they know that second wives will bring loose ends in the family.

Unfortunately, there is little they can do if they have any option at all. If they want, they can get divorced. But the Islamic laws favor men to take custody of children in case of divorce, unlike in the west where women take custody of children. In this regard, women are compelled to live in polygamous marriages.

It is ironical that while Saudi Arabia allows polygamy, they do not issue a permanent visa to more than one wife for foreign expatriates. This can be taken to imply that foreign expatriates are not allowed to be polygamous. How an Islamic country that still adheres to sharia law could come up with this regulation is hard to understand. Nevertheless, the other wives of an expatriate can be given a visitors visa.

On the other hand, Hinduism does not allow people to marry more than one wife. In this regard, people who profess the Hinduism religion in India are known to be majorly monogamous. A wife can move to court in case the husband takes a second wife.

This is closely related to the beliefs held in the western that an ideal family should have one wife and one husband. Nonetheless, it differs somehow because, in the west, a wife cannot sue her husband if he decides to get a second wife. However, there are men who convert to Islam and get married to more than one wife. Nevertheless, this is sometimes complicated, and people have to move out of India to achieve it.

Despite the differences in the way various cultural backgrounds define a family; recent years have seen a slight concurrence emerging. Every part of the world prefers monogamous marriages to polygamous ones. Even people who were in polygamous marriages would not like their daughters to get into polygamous marriages. However, marriage is losing popularity in the west compared to other parts of the world.

The entire world has been witnessing numerous technological advancements across all sectors in the society in the 21^st century.

World governments have invested in this sector to be on par with the current technology. Markedly, technology has both negative and positive effects on the final users in society.

This essay will discuss the effects of cell phones as technological innovation of the 21^st century on family life. It is going to analyze, compare, and contrast pieces of information that have been under discussion.

After deep reflection, the essay will give recommendations on how to handle technological devices to improve the social structures in a family.

Mobile phones have revolutionized the communication sector in the last 15 years. The cell phones have transformed the social institutions, especially among the adolescents who use the gadget for entertainment and retrieving information from worldwide websites.

In family life, this technological invention has caused positive and negative effects of equal measure. While others may view this gadget as having eased communication among people and families, some researchers have proved otherwise.

These gadgets have strengthened family units. For example, families compensate for daily stress through text messages, phone calls, and e-mails. Internet-enabled phones have also assisted in the connection through social sites where family members can discuss their issues even if they are far apart (Alamenciak, 2012).

In America, for instance, parents have adjusted to modern technology thus increasing their connection with their children who may be working in different states.

Cell phones are bringing families together as they increase the quality of communication among the family members are living separately in the distance. Families use cell phones to get in touch with their children by the use of e-mails and web (George, 2008).

These families contact their children to know how theyre redoing and entertain them in the process. Moreover, cell phone communication brings families more closely increasing the relationship between family members.

During this time, family heads promote values and set good examples to their children. They encourage openness and communication in case problems arise in the family as well as security since family members get the opportunity to know each other well.

Also, cell phones have enhanced accountability either in working premises or at homes. People keep in touch with their core-workers and employees as well as their family members (Good Connection, Bad Example: Cell Phones and The Family, 2007).

This creates constant interaction leading to a healthy balance, which is produced and creative. This generates income as it increases the work done.

Further, phones are not only used for communication, but they contain a camera and other devices like clocks and calendar.

With some cell phones, one can connect to the internet and in the process chat with friends and download valuable information.

Also, families that have phones are safer than those that lack; those with phones can inform distance relatives in case of an emergency at home; hence, they get the necessary help at the required time.

However, due to cell phones some family members very busy to the extent of not eating either lunch together as a family. Some family members are addicted to phones; hence they rarely keep off from their cell phones (Schlimm, 2010).

Also, communication through cell phones while driving has caused many accidents. The drivers clash with traffic officers whenever they are warned on the dangers of using cell phones while driving.

Additionally, continuous use of phones leads to contact with some dangerous diseases such as cancer as well as ear damage leading to a hearing problem. Moreover, phones disrupt others, for example, while in a meeting, church, or the hospital thus making other people uncomfortable.

On the other hand, cell phones have led to the emancipation of adolescents from their parents.

The exclusion can be viewed from the fact that this age group tends to search for individual identity away from their parents (Cell Phones Have Become Central Components of Modern Family Life, 2008).

This has made cell phones popular among the youthful generation. Generation X prefers mobility and self-centered activities; therefore, they find cell phones as the best option. The gadget has reduced the rate of interaction between parents and their children.

Therefore, I feel that technology has created separation in families, as adolescents tend to take more time with these devices than with their parents. This reveals that the innovation of the cell phone has created an agent of social change.

Additionally, the use of cell phones has caused sufferings among family life. According to Noelle Chelsey in his Journal Publication of Marriage and Family, cell phones cause interruptions in home life (Boehi, 2012).

For instance, children can call their parents at work to inform them of bad news at home. On the other aspect, employers can call their employees at any time. It can be worse when the employee is a married woman while the caller is a male.

Mistrust can arise in families if society does not address this effect of cell phones. The spillover mostly affects women than men, as children are more likely to call their mothers than their fathers.

Even though cell phones increase accessibility, they raise stress levels in between working couples. As a result, both genders realize a decrease in their family and work life satisfaction.

On the health of family members, the use of cell phones for long periods makes microwave radiation penetrate the brain and cause brain complications. When this occurs, the sleeping patterns are affected. It also causes irritation and impatience on perennial users (Reinberg, 2005).

If the user is the familys breadwinner, such effects can cause economic instability and the social problem like divorce. Diseases like brain cancer where tumors grow in the brain can take a long time to control; as a result, the family will commit a lot of financial resources in treating the breadwinner.

The hospitalization will eventually affect the children. For instance, they may record low performance in school due to losing parental love and touch.

Technological inventions have benefits, but their demerits if not used properly may lead to adverse effects that can affect the lives of all family members. Also, the continuous use of cell phones can cause family exclusion and neglect (Hassan, 2011).

The latest sophisticated cell phones such as the Samsung Galaxies and iPhones perform numerous tasks hence can make one glued at them for more time than to the family.

The addiction limits family interaction; a child can miss parental care and love from this scenario. Cell phones, therefore, can affect the social life in a family.

Cell phones have immensely benefited the current generation in many ways, but they should monitor the precautions and conditions of usage to avert the negative effects that can affect family life.

The society should also adjust to the reality that even though cell phones have come with numerous benefits, they also have repercussions that can harm the entire family.

References

Alamenciak:, T. (2012). How the developing world is using cellphone technology to change lives | Toronto Star. thestar.com | Toronto Star | Canadas largest daily. Web.

Boehi, D. (2012). Are You Married to Your Cell Phone. Familylife.com. Web.

Cell Phones Have Become Central Components of Modern Family Life. (2008). cellular-news | Daily news from the telecoms industry. Web.

George, D. S. (2008). Internet, Cellphones May Strengthen Family Unit, Study Finds  Washington Post. Featured Articles From The Washington Post. Web.

Good Connection, Bad Example: Cell Phones and The Family. (2007). Monroe County Extension Office â Solutions for Your Life  UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Web.

Hassan, F. (2011). Cell phones have negative effects? | The- Dispatch.com. Lexington NC news, weather and classifieds | The-Dispatch.com | Lexington NC. Web.

Reinberg, S. (2005). Cell Phones Are Disrupting Family Life. Health news, discussions, articles, and resources . Web.

Schlimm, K. (2010). The effects of cell phones in modern society. The Talon . Web.

Family resource programs (FRPs) are community-centered organizations that through close partnership with other service providers create a web of supportive services for families (FRP, 2013, p. 1). The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada) recognizes guiding principles of the organizations that include, but are not limited to, building supportive relationships, promoting diversity, increasing opportunities, advocating non-violence, enhancing family literacy, and furthering community development (FRP, n.d.). The number of communities that opted for FRPs as the model of choice for developing their communities is constantly on the rise.

This trend is associated with the widespread acceptance of the notion that by supporting parents as a means of promoting childrens development (Kyle & Kellerman, n.d., p. 16), it is possible to improve a wellbeing of society as a whole. FRPs allow expanding narrow focus on children to include families, thereby recognizing that the problems they face often have root in the external conditions that can and should be controlled with the help of community and group resources. This approach to early childhood development is especially important since during the last decade there has been a significant increase in the level of mothers labor force participation, which means that there is a need of early childhood training programs that would be able to address all community needs (ECEC, 2008).

The aim of this paper is to analyze a case study and examine the incentives and motivations of the study participant for using the FRP. The analysis will include the exploration of the major themes, theories, and principles associated with the provision of family support through FRPs.

Analysis

Motivation and Key Challenges

Zara is a woman in her mid-thirties who immigrated to Canada two years ago (Case Study, n.d.). The woman is a mother of two childrena three-year-old girl and two-and-a-half-month-old baby (Case Study, n.d.). Even though the participant of the study has been attending the program for less than a month, she already feels a part of a tight-knit community comprised of other parents and staff. She reports that the program creators make one feel important and she is happy to have an opportunity to visit a center. Zara states that her children learn the importance of personal hygiene by being provided with an example of other participants of the FRP washing their hands. The woman appreciates the fact that her three-year-old daughter is provided access to creative toys; therefore, she brings her to the center three days a week. Zara notices that the engagement in creative activities in the center leads to the unleashing of her daughters creative energies at home. The girl is proud of what she has made and is getting into the habit of being creative (Case Study, n.d., p. 1).

Another incentive for Zara to participate in the program is the development of communication skills of her children. The woman reports that the center is a perfect environment for her daughter to engage in an active interaction with other children of her age as well as adult staff members. The ability to build relationships with other parents serves as an additional motivation for Zara to use the FRP. She shares her experiences of child upbringing with the FRP community and carefully listens to the feedback provided by other mothers, thereby increasing a chance of finding effective solutions to her problems. Moreover, professional caregivers at the center always have a valuable insight into challenges that a mother can face while dealing with young children. The woman finds the experience of interacting with other parents and staff at the FRP center to be positive and supportive. Taking into consideration the fact that she has to deal with a challenge of raising two children, one of which is an energetic toddler, extra help that she receives from professional caregivers allows her to have much-needed time for herself. Furthermore, by interacting with other parents, she receives social support and acquires social capital, which can be considered main prerequisites for building a close-knit community.

Family Support Principles

Zaras focus on the importance of experiential learning is supported by the findings of early childhood development experts who believe that early experiences and contexts of childrens daily lives have enormous influence on the development of their brains (McCain, Mustard, & McCuaig, 2011). Neuroscientists also believe that even though biological underpinnings of brain functions serve as powerful drivers of human behavior, the environment can influence the way certain alleles are expressed. In other words, gene regulation is a process that is responsive to the variation in the environmental factors. According to McCain et al. (2011), who our parents are, our health at birth and how we live, eat and play as young children all have an impact on our adult life (p. 28). A large body of evidence garnered by biological and social scientists suggests that there is no actual chasm between nature and nurture: both environment and genetic influences play equally important role in the development of an individual (McCain et al., 2011).

Nurture is an essential stimulator that influences numerous functions of DNA, thereby altering epigenetics or gene expression. The change in treatment during an early childhood period can result in substantial personality differences between identical twins. Therefore, Zara is correct in assuming that exceptional nurturance provided to her children in the FRP will be positively associated with their empowerment and development. By engaging in meaningful interactions with the center members, her children learn how to mediate new experiences, regulate their emotions, and behaviors (Ontario Public Service, 2014). They become highly attuned to the quality of those interactions and develop positive responses to early environmental stimuli. A case in point is infatuation of the three-year-old girl with creative pursuits. It is safe to assume that the girl receives a fair amount of positive reinforcement for painting, which is considered a desired behavior, from professional caregivers at the center. All children pay keen attention to praise and seek effective ways to access reinforcement; therefore, her behavior at the FRP spills over to the activities she tends to pursue at home (McCain et al., 2011).

Zara is also right in assuming that the participation in the program facilitates the development of communication skills of her children. By bringing her children to the center, the mother provides them with a wide variety of interactive venues such as active motor play, imaginative play, and collective art projects among others (Essa, 2012). Natural curiosity of preschool children helps them to form friendships, thereby strengthening their communication skills. Through meaningful peer interactions, children become confident in their ability to initiate new activities. They also learn how to resolve disagreements with their peers by adopting new perspectives or regrouping (Essa, 2012). It is especially important because at this stage of cognitive development, young children learn to share and use verbal means of communication instead of immature physical approaches, thereby building a foundation for more sophisticated relationships in primary school (Essa, 2012, p. 46).

It is necessary to note that a socioeconomic status of a family has a bearing on the development of vocabulary in young children. The findings of Canadas National Longitudinal Survey for Children and Youth reveal that children who are poor are more likely to have difficulties and less likely to be advanced than children in higher income family groups (McCain et al., 2011, p. 55). Taking into consideration the fact that low literacy rates are positively correlated with health problems, it is extremely important to make sure that children have nurturing environments for learning that are not always present at their homes. FRPs can serve as an effective mechanism for solving this problem because their main focus is on primary prevention and the promotion of health and well-being, particularly for young families (Kyle & Kellerman, n.d., p. 14). Even though there are substantial differences between various programs, they all share similar theoretical underpinnings and approaches: building communities and engaging families. By having a clear view of the main family support principles, I will become an early childhood education professional who is able to recognize the key needs of struggling families as well as effectively respond to them.

Conclusion

After carefully analyzing the case study, it became clear that its participant is motivated by the promotion of health and wellbeing of her children as well as building meaningful relationships with other members of her community. The provision of family support through FRPs is associated with concepts such as social capital, family engagement, empowerment, and building a community among others.

References

Case Study. (n.d).

ECEC. (2008). Quick facts.

Essa, E. (2012). Introduction to early childhood education. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.

FRP. (2013). How Canadas family resource programs contribute to integrated early childhood and community support systems. Web.

FRP. (n.d.). What is a family support program? Web.

Kyle, I., & Kellerman, M. (n.d.). Case studies of Canadian family resource programs: Supporting families, children & communities. Web.

McCain, M., Mustard, J., & McCuaig, K. (2011). Yearly years study 3: Making decision, taking action. Toronto, Canada: Margaret & Wallace McCain Family Foundation.

Ontario Public Service. (2014). How does learning happen? Ontarios pedagogy for the early years. Web.

Abstract

This document will base its discussion on children rights in consistence to the 1989 convention; it will then embark on the legality of the convention going further into highlighting the children rights as outlined in the convention.

It will then narrow down to the special childrens groups to analyze whether they are getting a raw deal or not, it will then discuss the role of the government, society and family unit in implementing these initiatives as set by the convention, the swot analysis will be included in each outcome Our case study will reflect on the rights of children in foster care in transit to adoption if lucky or full endurance of the system, outcome one is the foster care system itself, it will discuss the problems associated with it and what hinders the full implementation of children rights in this category, and their protection, second learning outcome will dwell on implementation and evaluation on problems sighted in learning outcome one.

Introduction

UN Convention

Each child in the face of the world should grow up in a family environment, in a good atmosphere that provides happiness, love and understanding. The child should be given an avenue through which he can prepare himself to live an individual life in the society, which should offer him to experience peace, dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity (UN convention 1989). The UNICEF 1989 convention is based on a varied legal system and cultural traditions. Convention is universally acceptable which is not negotiable in regards to its standards and obligations. Regardless of the sex, gender, religion, opinions, wealth, birth status or physical abilities. The convention puts it right on the clear that no individual or government can infringe a persons right as laid down by the convention. The standards set are interdependent and indivisible meaning some rights cant be termed vital than others.

Legality

The convention is set on a legal platform that binds each and everyone in this world especially the children. In 1989 there emerged a need to enact a law that would protect the children of the world; by children it would cover people under the age of eighteen, who often need special care and protection. This convention also brought out the fact that children too had human rights to be protected and to safe guard them in the society. (Horwath 2002)

Children Rights

The convention clearly spells out children rights as, the right to survival, the right to develop to the fullest levels, the right to be protected from harmful influences from the environment in which the children dwell; abuse and exploitation, and the right to participate fully in the social, cultural and social life as they grow. The four core principles in the convention are non discriminatory, thev are coined in such a way that the interest of the child are put first, the right to life, survival and development; the opinion of the child should be respected.

The child should be treated with dignity and respect, the convention tends to protect these children rights by setting vital standards in areas such as civil and social services, healthcare, education and legal, services. Governments of the world have taken the initiative of signing the convention then this is a sure sign that they are committed to implementing the convention policies thus safeguarding the right of the children in its boundaries. (Munro 2002)

Children Rights in the Human Rights Frame work

For a child to fully realize his full developmental potential he has to be protected by the convention. In the convention they are protected from hunger, neglect and abuse. This 1989 convention thus brings in the concept that the child is not the property of its parents nor is the child a helpless object of charity. Thus the convention defines the child as an entity of the human race. The child is thus seen as an n individual, and as a member of a certain community and family.

In thus doing the focus on the child development is taken care of from all stages in life. So many countries of the world have taken the initiative of recognizing the convention meaning more children are protected and are respected in the terms of their human rights. All children of the world are entitled to this rights and should not be taken as privileges, all children meaning the disabled the mentally sick the homeless the destitute and children in normal home settings. (Munro 2002)

Implementation of the Rights as per the Convention

Despite the existence of the UN convention children are still exposed to abuse, poverty, homelessness, neglect, preventable diseases, inaccessibility to education and justice system. This is to imply that its implementation has not yet been very effective some twenty years down the line. But as governments continue to rally behind the convention the hopes of realising the full implementation of the children rights are near.

The states are required to put in force laws and policies that need to be fully ratified, the government is the representative of the people in a country but the most basic unit of the society is the family unit this is to say that the family should practice the convention policies in order to realise its full ratification, from the family to the school setting to the public arena and then to the whole world let everyone take some responsibility in realising children rights are respected and recognised.

Our case study will narrow down to venerable children in the society, this are children who are disadvantaged in some way such as children with disability, mentally incapacitated children, children in contact homes, children under foster care and adopted children. This group of children somehow dont get their rights in the full platter as they are underlined in the convention this is due to their venerability and lack of support from the communities and environmental setups. (Archard 2003)

Within the family setting what kind of rights they should enjoy, why are they getting the raw deal, what can be done for effective implementation on the convention concerning these special children with special cases? What role should the governments play in the implementation, protection and safeguarding of this group of children for them to enjoy their rights as children of this world. Our main concern will narrow down to the children who are under foster care and adoption, we will analyze and know the kind of challenges they face, the kind of children rights that they dont get to enjoy the hardships they undergo and finally what they are entitled to from the family setting to the government level in policies and implementation (this will be included in the first learning outcome).

The second learning outcome will comprise of implementation , what steps has the governments, societies, communities and families taken to ensure that this children are taken care of well. It will show a case study of a work group setting that has made efforts into adding value to this group of children when it comes to them enjoying their full rights. The last paragraph of this study in learning outcome one will focus on the strength and weakness that this group of children experience in relation to the convention and their basic human rights. (Kay 2001)

Foster Care and Adoption- introduction

This discussion will mainly deal with children under foster care on transit to adoption these children are those that have no permanent homes. in most instances they become homeless due to being exposed to abuse and neglect, this may occur when their parents tend to be irresponsible by the sense that they tend to be drug addicts, this kind of parents become self cantered as they pursue ways of satisfying their selfish ends, this may cause the children to go days without food and basic needs. (Kay 2001)

The parents most of the time are high thus they cant protect their children from strangers, and from hunger thus this children are left on their own to fend for themselves and mostly the older children are left with the obligation to take care of the younger children. This situation robs the elder child the right of being and enjoying children rights because he has to look for food for the younger ones and again protect them. In the above scenario the child can be forced into doing things not right at the eyes of the law, for instance he might turn out to criminal acts such as being a petty thief who pick pockets others in order to take care of his siblings, this might land him into trouble with the law.

In this case when the juvenile is caught then the other siblings tend to go under social care, due to the high financial gaps in the system this children are put under foster care and if lucky they can get adoption, only a few of them get this privilege because the society segregates them and they are viewed as accidents waiting to happen this is by the fact that them having a bad background such as the one aforementioned above about drug abuse they might end up becoming core criminals. (Archard 2003)

These children rights are violated in the process of them being neglected by their parents and in the process of them being under foster care. In this two different settings this childrens rights are abused in different ways for instance: in case of their right to accessibility to education, as they are being neglected by their parents as their parents indulge in immoral activities such as being in criminal gangs, involved in prostitution, or involved in drugs the children right to education is denied.

These children cant go to school as they are hungry, they lack money for bus fare, all in all their education fee is not paid by the parents thus they are denied the right to enjoy education which is fundamental in their developmental growth, which should arm them with skills to face their individual lifes in the society in later years, again this may push the children to child labour as they are idle and need money to survive yet again their right to survival is denied.

In the other setting of when they are under foster care their education is under threat by the sense that they are unstable after a few months they are taken to another household which means their education system also changes to go along with the one they have found in a particular household and environment this children at the end of it all , they will not have a clear sequence in their education this may make them disinterested in the whole education thing, this may also push them to drugs to counter attack the daily challenges that they face in the different households they go to.

Adaptation and flexibility in the short changing intervals that these children face after every few months is detrimental to their education. Another area that this children dont get to enjoy their human rights is lack of acceptance, this children live their lives as unwanted children once they are taken to a family they face inferiority complex by the fact they are not assimilated to the family this is because after a few months they move to another house hold thus for them to be able to feel a part of the family becomes a hard come by.

This brings out the issue of every child matters children under foster care tend to collect different behaviours from different homes meaning at the end of the day they dont realize whom they really are. (Horwath 2002) These children lack security and safety this is because they are exposed to sexual abuse, they are most vane arable as they change homes, some of these homes host paedophiles that at times take advantage of these children and because this children come from sorry homes they tend to consent on the advances, this is because of inferiority complex and weak voices that such children harbour.

These children may opt to runaway and become prostitutes as a way to earn a living or escape the torture they undergo in the different homes they settle in. They lack safety from strangers and drug abuse, when this children again land in homes with a background with drugs they may fall into this trap, this can also occur when they get exposed to the wrong people in the society falling prey into their tactics and traps.

These group of children yet again are susceptible to drugs, sexual abuse and prostitution during their adolescence years when they are getting to understand whom they are and what they stand for this is because the society tends to send mixed signals to them some view them as dangerous little criminals, the society doesnt accept them as unfortunate children ,it either hammers down the fact that they are from unstable situations thus they are beneficiaries or takes advantage of them by misusing them in immoral activities. (Wickham 2002)

The children are weak, they lack a stable foundation thus they trust each person that comes into their lives this increases the chances of them being taken advantage of and being misused. These children also face problems of alienation and segregation by other children; this can be detrimental in their self esteem in their developmental growth. Most of their time this is done through bullying both at school and at home (foster homes).

Their right to association and happiness is violated and not respected. These children will not grow to be effective individuals they will always feel insufficient and in need of someone elses approval incapacitating them to individuals, who cant make right-full and sound decisions, without consultation. What are the weakness and strengths of foster care programs in promoting childrens rights in safeguarding them and offering them protection.

Although the foster care homes are established with the right intentions of ensuring this children have stable lives by offering homes they tend to exhibit some fractures this come into play by the essence of instability that the children face, they live in constant fear of moving to the next home, of losing ones siblings in case of adoption, segregation in case of the family setting lack of being accepted by the society that hosts you that treats this children in suspicion. In this program children are exposed to different changing environments that can be detrimental in their growth process and which play a vital role in the overall well being in the society in their later lives.

The strengths associated with this system is that children are able to enjoy regular food provision at the governments expense which is a positive thing, the children are able to enjoy regular shelter and a family set up but all this is in vain by the fact that in provision of the above the child needs ultimate protection from sexual offenders and strangers who take advantage of them and introduce them to drugs and prostitution as they lack self security and identity. (Kay 2001)

Implementation

What can be done to ensure that these groups of children get foster care as well as protection, and to ensure that safeguarding of their human rights are taken into account? The government has a role to play in this, the society has a role to play in this, religious and non religious groupings have a role and the basic unit of a family has a role too. (Archard 2003)

Government

The government has the largest role to play by the fact that it has laid the foundation of setting up the social welfares and identifying the foster care homes. In financial matters the government needs to provide a sufficient budget which will provide this homes with enough to cater for these children from their upkeep, to their food supply, to their well being health wise. (Archard 2003)

The government should put in place policies and structures that will protect this children , for instance when the government identifies a prospective home let it have systems in place to monitor the household members if anyone of them is a suspect in relation to drugs and sexual offences let this children be taken to another home. Social workers should be educated enough to be able to handle the households this goes to the government providing a human resource force that is competent at its work in identifying children in distress and identifying for them good homes and monitoring their progress regularly.

The government should also coin a way through which the childrens duration in a certain home is increased from mere months to around five years. (Horwath 2002) The government should encourage its society to embrace adoption this it will implement by creating laws that favour couples who adopt children under foster care for instance by the government offering such children scholarships and jobs after education.

This children morals need to be boosted by the government in conjunction with schools identifying the special care this children deserve for instance the school through its counselling sections should offer moral support, health advice, encourage sporting and talent developmental skills, this will distract the childrens involvement in drugs and prostitution not to add depression and segregation that they often experience. Juvenile children should be given a chance through which they can assimilate into a normal family setting thus there is need for the government to implement its juvenile laws, that gives this children a second chance in life other than labelling them criminals while most of the time they are victim of circumstances.

The government should implement policies that promote children over the age of fourteen to enable them to be eligible for adoption to negate the possibility of causing instability when siblings are disunited due to selective unfair law when it comes to adoption. By so doing it will be supporting the childrens right convention apart from signing it will be implementing this will go along way into protecting the children under foster care rights, and safeguarding them in protective measures. (Kay 2001)

The society

The society is the panacea of a country at the grass roots, it should take the responsibility of identifying distressed children among them, and it should take the initiative of identifying the children and reporting it to the authorities. Its their social responsibility to take care such venerable children other than holding them with the outmost suspicion in respect to their backgrounds. They should open their doors into accepting these children into their homes and giving them the space to assimilate well into their families.

The society should not segregate these children and tag them criminals or outcastes this is because it will deny them the right to happiness in their developmental growth. The society should form support groups to support the families that harbour such children by giving them good will, joining in play group sessions, this is by allowing their children to play together with their children. The society should invent ways of teaching this children safety measures, drug awareness and by them forming positive parenting groups. This will uplift governments initiatives in implementing and supporting the children rights convention. It will provide a ground network programme that interlinks the children and the government in realising its goals of protecting and safeguarding childrens rights. (Munro 2002)

Family unit

The basic family unit should learn to embrace children under foster care whom are entitled to their care by the government. They should take full responsibility of these children as if they are their own. Family members should be counselled on how to relate to these venerable children who are on transit; families should be willing to adopt these children into their families to become on e of their own. Again they should take all the siblings of one family other than segregating others this usually brings about instability and inferiority complex to these children. Being homely to these children is the most welcoming attitude to them, making them feel comfortable in their homes and treating them without malice.

The rights to these families again should be respected by the government and the society to give them ardent space to exercise their positive parenting skills to the latter. By these the households that cater too many children should be given enough support financially and socially, the family should not be at pains when it comes to settling bills to the point of tampering with their personal budgets. (Horwath 2002)

Non- governmental organisations

It has the role of policing and evaluating the governments operations when it comes to foster care homes policies, as well as themselves finding solutions to the problems that affect the system. Their main area of concentration should be coined on the well being of the child based on the children act 1989, the adoption act and children act 2002 and 2006 act. They should also base their organisation with the United Nations convention of 1989 that has been ratified by all the countries of the world except by two, the European convention to the exercise of childrens right 1996.

All these rights are vital in realising a childs right within a human setting, thus each child submitted to a certain nongovernmental organisation should be treated with outmost care in regard to the above mentioned acts. Its main policy should include to actively promote the rights of children and young people, to embed a culture of listening to children and valuing their contributions as citizens, they should be accountable to the children and young people whom they offer services to, they should give the young people legal representation they need, to enhance the weak voice of the child during court session to be loud and clear during court procedure, their overall aim should be that of assuming the role of protecting the childs rights and contributing positively to their general out come in their family settings. (Archard 2003)

Reviewing and monitoring arrangements

non-governmental bodies should be able to find ways in which it will implement their strategies and policies as they go through the process of safeguarding children rights, this they can do by having a progress report that is reviewed annually this will show them the effectiveness that they have in the community level, how many children from distress families have they covered are they progressing or retrogressing how many new cases have emerged in their course of duty, they should localise its network to reach the family unit at the grass root levels. (Archard 2003)

The above example can be adopted by the legal fraternity whose main duty is that of improving the legal frame work put in place in the judicial cases that deals with children and family cases. By this the foster children will have a say when it comes to changing homes in high frequencies, when it comes to sexual abuse within the vicinity of the foster home thus providing safety and protection of such children that lack stability.

The strength and weakness in this implementation area is based on the communitys response to the problem if it embraces this problem and identify with it then the policies and legal structures set by the government will work out fine, but if the later is ignored and the government works on its own term an agreeable point shall never be realised. And foster children will face the brunt of the system instead of reaping the benefits of being sheltered and being offered a chance to relive their lives a second chance they will live to be spiteful beings who hate the system thus the proneness of cumulating into criminals and a dysfunctional society. (Horwath 2002)

Conclusion

All in all, all children matter, at the end of the day they are all children and are protected under the convention act that tends to define their rights. Thus the world should appreciate that the children are members of a society, community and the government has the responsibility to safe guard these rights. Legal bodies should come upfront to make legal policies that will make childrens voices be louder and more pronounced. Juvenile courts should have competent lawyers that should be able to represent the children more effectively other non-governmental bodies too should find ways of improving and voicing the cries of the children.

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