Social Context Account - Essay Example

?Social Context Account The environment where an individual lives determines who they become in future. While this is a widely accepted fact, environment is not the only factor that determines one’s character, beliefs and perceptions. Other factors include race, gender and genetic predisposition. However, the individual has a role to play in the conscious, subconscious and unconscious decisions that one makes in day-to-day life. A social context account is an attempt by an individual to explain their current behaviour, perceptions and beliefs in relation to the life that one led while growing up. For one to look back at the past and analyse its effect in life today, the present has to be favourable according to the individual in question. This means that if the past influenced one’s life so badly that the present is damaged, only counselling or other forms of therapy can remedy the situation and enable one to look back at the events of their past.1 Depending on an individual, the social environment one grows in can make or break one’s character. For instance, some people are discouraged by discriminative backgrounds till they psychologically believe they are not worth better treatment. On the other hand, others consider maltreatment as a challenge which if overcome, one emerges not only a stronger, but also a better person. Due to the unpredictable nature of a child’s reaction to the social environment, there are many organizations committed to ensuring that children are protected from harsh social conditions. In addition, many governments have signed treaties and passed laws to protect young citizens.2 _____________________________ 1 A James, and A Prout (eds), Constructing and Reconstructing childhood: contemporary issues in the sociological Study of Childhood, Falmer Press, London, 1997. 2 R Appignanesi, and O Zarate, Freud for Beginners, Icon Books, Cambridge, 1992. Background information My parents were born and brought up in Bangladesh after which they moved to London, UK. I was born on April 4, 1989 in London where I have lived ever since. The UK and Bangladesh are countries with many contrasting characteristics that are mainly due to their geographical locations, economic, political, and religious practises found in the two countries. Bangladesh is found in southern Asia while UK is situated in northern Europe. Bangladesh is mainly an Islamic country while the most dominant religion in the UK is Christianity. In society, religion plays an important role in how the society operates since it provides a basis for moral and ethical standards. In the UK, the church and government are separate entities and that is why the society in London is considered secular and has markedly different characteristics compared to that of Bangladesh where religion determines the kind of lifestyle people live. Comparison between UK and Bangladesh Christianity, mostly Anglican, is the dominant religion in the UK while Bangladesh is mostly Islamic. The cultures of the two countries are composite, having components derived from all over the world. Both countries are members of the UN and have signed the United Nations convention on the rights of the child (UNCRC) which seeks to ensure that minors enjoy basic rights and are protected from unfair treatment. However, the countries differ in the way they enforce these laws since in Bangladesh, children are still recruited into the armed forces among other forms of mistreatment. This means that a child growing up in Bangladesh is likely to be affected by these vices directly or indirectly. On the other hand, the UK is strict in assuring her citizens of their rights and, therefore, children enjoy more rights and freedoms compared to their Bangladeshi counterparts. 99 percent of the population in the UK is literate as compared to a mere 43.1 percent in Bangladesh. Education has a huge impact on how people relate to each other and their interpretations of everyday phenomena. On the other hand, the educated population in UK is more corrupt at 7.7 perception index compared to 2.1 in Bangladesh. Finally, in Bangladesh, probably due to the heavy influence of Islam that treats women as lesser beings. A good indicator is in the parliaments of both countries where the percentage of women is 19.6 and 0.0 for UK and Bangladesh respectively. In conclusion, though Bangladesh is a signatory to UNCRC, its out-dated laws and poor implementation continues to put the wellbeing of children in jeopardy.3 Role of the United Nations The UN plays a vital role in ensuring that children have promising future ahead. For instance, there is the UNICEF (formerly United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) which was formed to cater for food and healthcare needs for children devastated by the Second World War. After the War, the fund remained and its role today is to offer food and clothing among other basic needs to disadvantaged countries devastated by dictatorships and civil unrests. The organisation forms relationships with host countries and starts programs that are aimed at improving the lives of all minors in that specific country. The UNCRC is another initiative of the United Nations aimed at improving the living conditions of children. The UNCRC was a convention signed by all countries in the world except the US and Somali with the objective of stating the rights and freedoms of children to be enforced by all signatory countries. The convention specified various children rights and freedoms including freedom of speech, freedom from any form of harassment, the __________________________ 3 P Alderson, and V Morrow, Ethics, Social Research and Consulting with Children and Young People, Barnados, Ilford, 2004. right to education, the right to a decent upbringing, and the right to protection by the law among other rights and freedoms. Despite these many and well-meaning provisions, many children, especially in third world countries, continue to suffer silently due to poor law enforcement.4 Social environment in London In London where I lived as a child, there were many social factors that formed a basis in determining how I think, relate to other people, and my beliefs. The basic family unit in London is the core nuclear monogamous family. In this type of family, children get all the attention of parents though they can get lonely if both parents are working. In my case, both my parents are employed and I had to learn how to take care of myself and make friends early in my life. This particular aspect of my childhood life has formed me to become very friendly even to social strangers. However, it does not mean I trust anyone if I do not know him or her well; I have learnt that even the best of friends can betray. In London, there is freedom of association and involvement in a religious practise of choice and that is how I have succeeded in maintaining my spirituality in this very secular environment.5 Though it has never happened to me directly, my friends tell me that there are cases where people are treated differently due to the colour of their eyes, skin, and hair, commonly known as racism since I have never been treated differently; I find no problem interacting with people from all races. In fact, I even have friends from Africa. Discrimination due to class _____________________ 4 G Lansdown, Promoting Children's Participation in Democratic Decision Making. UNICEF Innocent Insight, Florence, 2001. Viewed on 30 November 2011, 5 A Higonnet, Pictures of innocence: the history and crisis of ideal childhood, Thames & Hudson, London, 1998. difference is very subtle and can only be perceived by someone who is really interested in noticing it. The fact of the matter is that people from different social classes interact among themselves as it is hard to predict the responses of people from a class that is not your own. Though a person may not do it consciously; it is as if people are genetically conditioned to be intimidated by people in a class above them, and to undermine those they perceive to be inferior. In this civilised society, there is hardly any discrimination on gender basis, all children are treated as children and not as girls or boys. However, naturally, gender plays a big role on how people are treated as both genders have strong and weak points in needs and abilities.6 Conclusion Social environment works with other factors to make a person’s character. However, this does not mean that a person must adopt the behaviour and mannerisms promoted by the environment in which one lives. Most character traits can be modified with the right attitude, and help where necessary; though this too depends on a person’s will and predisposition. Due to the unpredictability of the effect of society on a growing child, parents, the government, and the whole community should ensure that young growing children are provided with a social environment that gives them the greatest chance of being the best people they can be once they grow up. People who are older than the children should start by being at their best, especially around children so that they can act as role models to be emulated. When they err, children should be corrected using acceptable means without traumatising the fragile minds and the bodies. ___________________ 6 D Archard, Children: rights and childhood, Routeledge, London, 1993. The government should pass laws for protection of children rights to ensure that future citizens of the country grow in such a way that the nation will prosper when left in their hands. In addition, the necessary arms of the government should ensure that these laws are enforced by punishing those who go against them. Another function of the government is to avail centres where traumatised children can be rehabilitated after undergoing harrowing ordeals.7 __________________________ 7 Dahlberg, G; Moss, P and Pence, A (1999) Beyond Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care. London: Routledge/Falmer. Bibliography Alderson, P and Morrow, V. Ethics, Social Research and Consulting with Children and Young People, Barnardos, Ilford, 2004. Appignanesi, R. and Zarate, O. Freud for Beginners, Icon Books, Cambridge, 1992. Archard, D Children: Rights and Childhood, Routeledge, London, 1993. Dahlberg, G Moss, P and Pence, A Beyond Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care, Routledge/Falmer, London, 1999. Higonnet, A. Pictures of Innocence: The History and Crisis of Ideal Childhood, Thames & Hudson, London, 1998. James, A and Prout, A. (eds.) Constructing and Reconstructing Childhood: Contemporary Issues in the Sociological Study of Childhood, Falmer Press, London, 1997. Lansdown, G. Promoting Children's Participation in Democratic Decision Making, UNICEF Innocent Insight, Florence, 2001. Viewed on 30 November 2011, Read More