Question

1. Some would argue that the current child protective system is over interventionist and tends to disrupt families in pursuit of an idealized vision of family life. In particular, critics argue that the poor are most likely to suffer because their lives fall short of the middle-class norms that pervade protective agencies. Others argue that the protective system, especially the system we follow in Massachusetts (the "Boston" school) does not do enough to help children out of deference to parental authority and that this perpetuates the idea that children are a form of parental property Which position do you favor? What kinds of deference do you think parents are entitled to? How would you decide when intervention is appropriate? How do you account for class and cultural styles? Please discuss these ideas thoughtfully and thoroughly with reference to class discussion, your notes, and readings you have done.

Answer 1

ANSWER:-

Some would argue that the current child protective system is over interventionist and tends to disrupt families in pursuit of an idealized vision of family life. In particular, critics argue that the poor are most likely to suffer because their lives fall short of the middle-class norms that pervade protective agencies.

1.Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence grow up in an environment that is unpredictable, filled with tension and anxiety and dominated by fear. This can lead to significant emotional and psychological trauma, similar to that experienced by children who are victims of child abuse.

Instead of growing up in an emotionally and physically safe, secure, nurturing and predictable environment, these children are forced to worry about the future; they try to predict when it might happen next and try to protect themselves and their siblings. Often getting through each day is the main objective so there is little time left for fun, relaxation or planning for the future.

Children living with domestic violence suffer emotional and psychological trauma from the impact of living in a household that is dominated by tension and fear. These children will see their mother threatened, demeaned or physically or sexually assaulted. They will overhear conflict and violence and see the aftermath of the violence such as their mother's injuries and her traumatic response to the violence. Children also may be used and manipulated by the abuser to hurt their mother.

A child may be directly targeted by the perpetrator and suffer physical abuse, sexual abuse and/or serious neglect. It has been more than 2 decades since the overlap between domestic violence and child abuse was identified; men who abuse their partners are also likely to assault their children.

The abuse of women who are mothers usually predates the infliction of child abuse. At least half of all abusive partners also batter their children. The more severe the abuse of the mother, the worse the child abuse.

There is clear evidence that abusers often increase their use of violence and abuse to stop their partners from leaving, or to force their partners and children to return home following separation. The abuser may attempt to take the children away from their mother to punish the woman for leaving and in some cases children have even been killed. The risk to children during and following separation is substantial.

Children and young people's reactions to domestic violence:

Self-blame

Helplessness

Grief

Ambivalence

Fear

Dread

Terror

Worry

How domestic violence impacts on children:

Poor concentration

Aggression, hyperactivity, disobedience

Disturbed sleep, nightmares

Withdrawal, low self-esteem

Showing no emotion ('spaced out')

Always on edge, wary

Fantasise about normal home life

Pessimism about the future

Physical symptoms

Long term effects:

Post traumatic stress disorder can result in children from exposure to domestic violence. Symptoms of this are nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, increased alertness to the environment, having problems concentrating, and can lead to physical symptoms.

Children who witness violence between parents may also be at greater risk of being violent in their future relationships.

For example, a boy who sees his mother being abused is 10 times more likely to abuse his female partner as an adult. A girl who grows up in a home where her father abuses her mother is more than six times as likely to be sexually abused as a girl who grows up in a non-abusive home.

Children who witness or are victims of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are at higher risk for health problems as adults. These can include mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They may also include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, poor self-esteem, and other problems

Short term effects:

Children in preschool-Young children who witness intimate partner violence may start doing things they used to do when they were younger, such as bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, increased crying, and whining. They may also develop difficulty falling or staying asleep; show signs of terror, such as stuttering or hiding; and show signs of severe separation anxiety.

School-aged children-Children in this age range may feel guilty about the abuse and blame themselves for it. Domestic violence and abuse hurts children’s self-esteem. They may not participate in school activities or get good grades, have fewer friends than others, and get into trouble more often. They also may have a lot of headaches and stomachaches.

Teens-Teens who witness abuse may act out in negative ways, such as fighting with family members or skipping school. They may also engage in risky behaviors, such as having unprotected sex and using alcohol or drugs. They may have low self-esteem and have trouble making friends. They may start fights or bully others and are more likely to get in trouble with the law. This type of behavior is more common in teen boys who are abused in childhood than in teen girls. Girls are more likely than boys to be withdrawn and to experience depression

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