Analysis of the Major Resemblances between two English Local Authorities - Essay Example

Education, Community and Diversity Education, Community and Diversity Community is a collection of individuals staying in the same area or having specific characteristics in common (MacQueen, McLellan, Metzeger, Kegeles, Strauss 2001 p.1). Another viewpoint presents the community as a collection of interactions and individual characters that influence beliefs amongst members. The actions of community members are determined by common prospects, values, beliefs and definitions amongst people (MacQueen, McLellan, Metzeger, Kegeles, Strauss 2001 p.1). This assignment will provide an in-depth analysis of the major resemblances and dissimilarities between two English local authorities. The local authorities to be researched are the Manchester City Council and Kent County Council. In addition, this report will concentrate on the major issues concerning the lives of teenagers and children staying in these two districts. The main identifiable difference between the two counties is their population. Information provided by Manchester confidential, reveals that Manchester City Council had a population of 503,100 as of 2011 (Manchester confidential 2012, p. 1). This was an increase of 19 percent from their previous population of 422,700 recorded after the 2001 census. The figure is different from the population of Kent County Council. The population of people staying in this county as from 2013 is presently approximated to be 1,493,500. The population comprises of every individual who stays in this region regardless of their nationality. In addition, it is the biggest non-metropolitan domestic authority region. However, this figure does not include the Medway Council region (Kent County Council 2011, p. 1). The similarity between Manchester City Council and Kent County Council is that both counties have recorded a high rate of child poverty. Manchester’s city center has been experiencing constant financial challenges such as recession. Consequently, Manchester City County has a high rate of child poverty in cities like Moss Side and Hulme that are located slightly away from city center of Manchester. Based on the research done by Wood (2014 p.1), the most affected areas include Longsight that recorded 46.55 percent and Hulme that recorded 47.47 percent. The statistics on the number of teenage children living in poverty in Moss Side was the highest at 49.43 percent. Similar report was recorded in Kent County Council. In 2013, there was disturbing reports that highlighted the increase in the rate of child poverty in the region. It was recorded that more than 56,000 residents of Kent were living in poverty. Out of this population, 18 percent were teenagers (Cox 2013, p.1) Increased population presents numerous challenges to the country and the community. It is interesting to note that increased rate of fertility and infant mortality rates have traditionally been associated with poverty. Conversely, reduced fertility rates are associated with advanced standards of living, high life expectancy and reduced mortality rate. The two counties are developed and should present advanced living standards rather than poverty that normally typifies developing regions. The significant challenges faced by teenagers staying in areas that are highly populated include increased death rate, infections and inadequate job opportunities. The conditions are likely to pose a long-term impact on the community due to various economic challenges. The challenges include increased expenditure in health care, poverty and deprivation. Highly populated regions like Kent County Council are likely to experience crowding in unhealthy houses (Cox 2013, p.1). Under such circumstances, it is possible that diseases and other health complications can easily affect teenagers and other people. For example, teenagers may live in a crowded place that allows them to use drugs. The situation can lead to diseases and death, especially amongst vulnerable children. High levels of child poverty, over population, unsanitary rooms are connected with negative outcomes in the education process. Kent has a population of 1,493,500. A report released in 2013 indicated that more than 56,000 residents were living in poverty (Kent County Council 2011, p. 1). It means that many households were living in overcrowded houses that predisposed them to poor health conditions. This level of poverty hampered the ability of the teenagers in the region to perform their duties, further worsening their state. This notion can explain why the rate of crime has increased in the region. Teenagers living in poverty will always resort to theft or any other criminal activity to improve their living standard (Cox 2013, p.1).Even though Manchester City Council is less populated compared to Kent County Council, it has recorded an increase in teenage poverty. This is especially the case in areas close to the city like Moss Side and Hulme. According to Keegan (2013), 47 percent of teenagers in the county live in poverty. The figures were considered as the highest percentage in Britain by the end of 2013. There is an increased debate on whether the increase in population has a positive or negative impact on people. Over-population and constant upsurge in population greatly contributes to the destruction of the globe’s life support system. Population issues were rarely discussed in the past. However, population analysis and forecasting are common practices as they provide clear insights on the effects of new trends. Despite the fact that the people of Kent cannot stop the problem of population increase, numerous initiatives can be taken to avoid the challenges. In an effort to show support and solidarity, it is essential for the schools and the community to solve the problem. Though the government can also assist, their response is always slow and this might create additional problems. The bulk of the responsibility lies with the local schools and the community because they feel the impact. The above proposals can be accomplished by creating action plans and strategies. The actions should enhance public awareness by indicating that population upsurge limits the available of resources. Open communication will liberate teenagers, children and their parents. In addition, successful communication will help address challenges that many teenagers face. Joint action and decision-making concerning health care and teenage education are crucial strategies. The steps expose challenges associated with living in poverty and create a platform for action (Kinder 2013, p. 1). The other viable action is to encourage family planning and training of mothers at the community level. The community has a responsibility of ensuring affordable and quality health care and education through participating in policymaking. Parents should act as role models and encourage their children to attend school and obtain appropriate certifications as means of escape poverty. In certain situations, teenagers tend to avoid working simply because they lack guidance. Consequently, it is necessary to expose such children to education for them to guarantee their future. Teachers, family members, legislators and other members of the community can mentor to make better choices in their daily lives. Choices concerning the number of people in a family in comparison to the available resources will influence the next generation. However, particular issues concerning the population can always be deliberated and probable action plans designed through organized community forums. Educators and learners from the affected regions in the two counties can use the information to understand the relationship between population and resource available. In addition, the information helps in establishing viable solutions. Educators can assist learners find viable solutions to problems through decision-making. Studies on world population will improve the level of understanding because teenagers or students can learn how to solve problems when they have a particular data (Kinder 2013, p.1). For instance, students can use data to evaluate resource availability, possible shortages and corrective measures through simulations. Like Manchester City Council, Kent County Council has recorded an increase in the number of children living in poverty over the last four years. According to Manchester City Council Executive (2012), approximately 40 percent of teenagers in Manchester are living in poverty. This implies that they are from families whose income ranges 58 to 60 percent of the average income. Some of the areas worst hit by this problem include Moss Side, Hulme and Longsight. On the other hand, Kent is also facing similar problem with their poverty index estimated to be 16.8 percent for children. This is more than the normal regional percentage that is 13.5% and slightly less than England’s average 18.6 percent. However, it was realized that child poverty slightly dropped by 3.9 percent in 2013 (Manchester City Council Executive 2012, para1). The impacts of poverty are always consistent because they culminate in a ripple effect. For instance, it is easy for an infection to spread from one person to the other due to poor hygiene. Hunger and inadequate water supply makes individuals, especially teenagers more susceptible to infections. Impoverished communities always fall victims of discrimination and end up languishing in poverty. In both Manchester City Council and Kent County Council, the crime rate is expected to increase considering such acts are associated with poverty. Poor people, especially teenagers will turn to criminal activities to feed their families and improve their lives. It is clear that areas with increased crime also experience poverty. The areas are characterized by disadvantaged neighborhoods. The situation becomes worse because many teenagers in the area lack appropriate education. Consequently, the chances of unemployment and crime are high. Increased rate of teenage poverty in the two regions will negatively influence the community and future generations. The impacts will be evident in low quality education, child labor to assist the parents, inadequate basic sanitary and transmission of infections. Unemployment and low salaries create an environment that makes it difficult for teenagers to attend school. It is interesting to acknowledge that children who have the opportunity to attend school will not recognize that their lives can improve through education as they observe their parents fail on a perpetual basis (Poverties 2013, papa1). The whole community will have to suffer from this problem. For instance, the number of teenagers involved in alcohol and drug abuse will rise because they will be looking for ways to cope with their anxieties and depression. The community will not have a productive generation, leading to higher levels of poverty. The community and local learning institutions can play an important role in ensuring that the social problems mentioned are addressed. Firstly, it is necessary to acknowledge the powerful association between reduced income, poor educational accomplishment and poor health results. Once the stakeholders recognize such issues, many interventions can be undertaken to prevent teenagers living in poverty from becoming poor when they grow up. Therefore, the community should fully participate in ensuring that needy students are offered education (Poverties 2013, p1). Secondly, politicians, church leaders and other influential people within the society should come together and generate funds to provide education. The community must concentrate on the poor families with teenagers. The major objective is to support the parents to ensure that the children can access all their necessities. Once they access the basic needs, they will become cheerful, healthy and prosperous adults. Schools should support drama or music clubs and encourage their students to be members. Through these forums, teenagers will be educated on the causes, consequences and the preventive measures of poverty. Additionally, the community should also create sports clubs that can be used to nurture talents that the youths might be having. The sports clubs provide a forum for the athletes to share their ideas and improve skills. In the end, they are likely to give back to society. A similar measure can be implemented in both Manchester City Council and Kent County Council to improve the living standards of the next generation. Conclusion The major difference between Manchester City Council and Kent County Council is that they have different population. However, the two counties experience similar poverty challenges. For instance, they both have increased level of teenage poverty. Arguably, both the community and local schools can greatly contribute towards the eradication of the problems. Kent should consider creating policies that regulate population upsurge. Population is the cause of all the problems that have been discussed including increased poverty, crime rate, unemployment and lack of education. Manchester City Council should majorly concentrate on addressing poverty and associated challenges. This is because their population is not as high as Kent County. Both communities have strong structures that will ensure that appropriate changes are implemented to improve the present and future living standards. List of References Cox, M 2013, The hidden problem of poverty in Kent, [Online] Available at http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/the_hidden_problem_of_poverty_in_kent_1_2364563 [Accesed 26 February 2015] Keegan, M 2013, Manchester Central has highest percentage of children living under poverty line in UK, [Online] Available at http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-central-highest-percentage-children-1331538 [Accesed 26 February 2015] Kent County Council, 2011, Population and census, viewed on 26 February 2015, [Online] Available at http://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/information-and- data/Facts-and-figures-about-Kent/population-and-census [Accesed 26 February 2015] Kinder, C 2013, The Population Explosion: Causes and Consequences, [Online] Available at http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1998/7/98.07.02.x.html [Accesed 26 February 2015] MacQueen, K, McLellan, E, Metzeger, D, Kegeles, S, Strauss, R 2001, What Is Community? An Evidence-Based Definition for Participatory Public Health, Am J Public Health, Vol 91(12) pp.1929–1938. Manchester City Council Executive 2012, Manchester City Council Report for Resolution, [Online] Available at file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/FamilyPovertyStrategy.pdf [Accesed 26 February 2015] Manchester confidential, 2012, 2011 Census, Greater Manchester Gets Bigger, [Online] Available at http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/The-2011-Census-Greater- Manchester-Results [Accesed 26 February 2015] Poverties 2013, Causes & Effects of Poverty on Society, Children & Violence, [Online] Available at http://www.poverties.org/effects-of-poverty.html [Accesed 26 February 2015] Wood, G 2014, Manchesters child poverty shame: See on interactive map how your area fares, [Online] Available at http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/181071209-manchesters- child-poverty-shame-see-interactive-map-how-your-area-fares [Accesed 26 February2015] Read More