Analysis of Articles about Child Abuse in the United Kingdom - Literature review Example

 Article 1: child abuse in the United Kingdom The latest findings on matters of child abuse in the United Kingdom indicate a general reduction on the rate of such maltreatments (Radford et al. 2011, p. 217). This has been attributed to the efforts taken by the government and the society to contain these social phenomena. Child maltreatment is said to be a global issues, which every society grapples with. The researchers in this study sought to find a correlation between socioeconomic status, stability in marriage, education levels and income levels and child maltreatment. In addition to that, the researchers sought to find the relationship between child maltreatment and post emotional issues, delinquency and issues of gender. The study focuses on the issues of child abuse on three main age groups that it, parents of children below 11 years, teenagers between 11 – 17 years and a group between 18- 24 years. The sample on these three groups included 2,160, 2,275, and 1,761 subjects respectively (Radford et al. 2011, p. 218). However, the study does not give details on the sampling techniques, which were used at arriving in the stated representative sample. However, the fact that all ages were represented indicates that the findings were objective and credible. This study was an improvement of previous studies, which lacked in terms of objective representative samples. In their definition, child maltreatment is concerned with physical, emotional, and psychological ill-treatment. It also referred exploitation of children by certain members of the society including their parents, close friends, and strangers. Physical maltreatment included hitting, kicking, spanking and slapping of their children. Issues of neglect were also said to cause emotional problems to children. Neglect included denying children parental love, access to quality education and healthcare, and failure to provide them with general basic needs (Children’s Taskforce, Department of Health 2012, p. 865). Study results The study findings indicated that 1.2% of the children less than 11 years were severely punished. However, it appeared that severe punishment increased as the ages increased. For instance, in the 7.1% of the group between the ages brackets 11-19 had been severely punished (Radford et al. 2011, p.300). This increased to 11.5% in 17-24 age brackets. In addition to that, it was indicated that over 0.5% of the children under the age of 11 had been sexually abused. This would however rise to 4.8% in the age bracket 11-19. In the final bracket of 18 – 24, 11.3% of the subjects had been exposed to sexual abuse. The study also indicated a relationship between maltreatment and emotional problems. Most of the children who were exposed to these maltreatments were likely to suffer from severe emotional and psychological problems including lack of assertiveness, poor social interactions, low self-esteem, and low self-efficacy. In addition to that, children were likely to become more aggressive and delinquency in their later life. A cycle of abuses is also likely to occur. That is, children brought up by abusive parents, are also likely to follow the suit in their future life. Juvenile delinquency is also high amongst children who have been exposed to maltreatments. Further, it was reported that there was a relationship between gender and maltreatments. The female children were more likely to be abused than their male counterparts were. For instance, 17. 8% of the female between the ages 18-24 were sexually abused. This number was almost twice that of their male counterparts. In addition to that, income and education backgrounds also played a major role in the abuse. It was found that parents who were less educated and socioeconomically challenged were more likely to abuse their children. Physical and emotional abuse was the highest forms of maltreatments. Finally, the researchers focused on issues of stability in families and maltreatments. In addressing these issues, they focused on married coupled, cohabiting individuals, and single parents. The highest incidences of child abuse were likely to be found in the latter groups. Analysis of the study in terms of strengths and weaknesses The study has both its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths include the fact that the researcher included all the age groups relevant for the study. They seem to have approached the study using the stratified strategy of sampling. They focused on several issues including and not limited to socioeconomic, education and income. They sought to show the relationship between maltreatment and all these factors. Unlike in the past studies which focused on narrow factors in the study, this one has ensured that this issue is approached from a wider perspective. The methodology used is scientific and therefore likely to have resulted in unbiased and objective results. However, there are a number of weaknesses in the study. Firstly, there is the issue of sampling. This is an imperative issue because a sample should reflect the true picture of the population. For that reason, the sample used should be a representative one. However, in this particular study, the samples are in question. Firstly, how did the researchers arrive at such samples? Were these samples selected across the whole population focusing on issues of ethnic groups, races, and socioeconomic grounds? The researchers have not indicted which sampling methods were used in this study. It is therefore possible that the study was biased based on this fact. Another weakness has to do on the respondents. In the first category of children below the age of 11, their parents were allowed to respond. There is a possibility of falsehood on the part of the parents. Going by the fact that it is an offense to abuse children, it is possible that parents lied that they had not abused their children. This may explain why the number of children abused in this age is very small compared to other age brackets. On the other hand, the researchers were quick to state that females were more likely to be abused than their male counterparts were. However, this may be treatment as an assumption because research indicates when males rarely report such cases. It is possible that boys will be abused but fail to report. Recommendations and conclusion However, this case demonstrated the respect of the research policies and ethical considerations. In my recommendation, the future researchers should be more focused on the issue of sampling techniques to ensure population is fully represented. In summary, the study was carried out in a scientific manner and therefore most of the results are likely to be credible and reliable in terms of solving this social problem. Article 2: Children Care Health and development A study carried out by UNICEF in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) on the state of child healthcare in the United Kingdom indicates some weaknesses that need to be addressed. According to the study, more emphasis has been put on the health of the public at the expense of the children (UNICEF 2011, p.546). For instance, it is indicated that there has been a drastic fall in the number of specialists in child health. Most of the specialists are focusing on the health of the rest of the population (Worthington 2011, p.4321). This, according to the study, has culminated in increased rate of preventable deaths. For instance, children die of diseases such as pneumonia, which would be easily dealt with if there was more emphasis with the children’s health (Final Report 2010, p.23). According to the submissions of this study, one of the major problems that the country grapples with is the shortage of work force in this sector (Worthington 2011, p.98). As many health practitioners focus on dealing with the health problems of the rest of the populations, so is the reduction in workforce in this institution. According to the study, other countries in Europe who have taken the matters of child healthcare seriously have been performing better. They include Germany, France, and Sweden (Department of Health 2012, p.98). Therefore, the increased number of deaths of children has been attributed to the shortage of work force that is supposed to focus on this issue. Other related studies support the submission by the UNICEF. For instance, a study on ‘participation of children in healthcare within England,’ indicates similar injustices on children (Bradbury 2010, p.2012). However, this study focused majorly on how the children have been denied the rights to participate in decision making in matters of health. This is even after the amendment of the constitution to empower the children. According to the constitutional policy, all children have right to express their opinion and be heard. The article 12 and 13 on children’s right are explicit on such matters (Bradding 2011, p. 1765). The former asserts that parties (E.g. those in health sector) should take the views of the children into account especially if such children are able to make informed decisions (Cohen 2011, p. 76). This means that the policy is clear that children can make their own decision and effected according to the constitution. However, though this policy still stands, little has been done to include the children in major decision making within the health sector (Brook 2010, p.2341). On the other hand, the study relies on the provisions of the article 13. Apart from giving the children the right of expression, they are also given the right to have access to vital information. This has been one area that children have been frustrated according to the study. For instance, a study carried out on 63 children who were all suffering from chronic ailments was a fact that they did not have the health information (Coombe 2010, p.98). This is despite the fact that it would have prevented some of these chronic ailments caused by lifestyle issues. The health information in the United Kingdom is mostly disseminated to the adult population. This form of isolation is not only unconstitutional, but also causes many children to suffer. Issues of overweight for instance could be dealt with if only such children had the information needed on matters of health. Further studies indicate a correlation between socioeconomic status, education, ethnicity, and healthcare on children. It is indicated that the majority of individuals suffering are children coming from families that are financially challenged. These are mostly families of the immigrants and other unemployed members of the community. As the cost of medical care increases, the accessibility to healthcare also increases. This explains why most of the victims are children from the low-income families and immigrants. Strengths and weakness of the study The main strength of the above studies is the fact that they have approached the issue from a wider perspective. They have not only focused on the issues of child healthcare but also brought in the aspect of ethnic groupings, unemployment, and socioeconomic status as possible causes of inequality in children’s health. Secondly, the studies also borrow heavily on various policies governing the rights of children to show the inequality in child healthcare. It also makes a comparison with how other countries in Europe are performing on the same issue. However, there are a number of weaknesses involved in these studies. Firstly, while it is true that there has been discrepancy between the child healthcare and that of adult, there is no indication of the sample used in the study (Clarke 2010, p.98). It appears that these studies relied on secondary data from either the government statistics or studies of other individuals. While this prevents the reinvention of the wheel, there is a danger of presenting biased information. This is especially if the earlier researchers had failed to adhere to the ethics governing scientific studies. Recommendations The future researchers should focus on a representative sample that would assist in understanding the plight of child healthcare in United Kingdom. The sampling technique used in the study should also ensure that all aspects of the populations such as race, education level, income levels, and socioeconomic status are taken into considerations. The government on the other hand should protect the plight of children by ensuring that all players take the policies and practice into consideration. Children have right to information and expression and therefore it is the responsibility of the government to ensure this. Finally, the number of pediatricians ought to be increased to deal with the children health issues and prevent uncalled for deaths. This will happen however if the government is willing to increase allocation meant to sustain child healthcare. Summary and conclusion In the studies, findings indicate a general injustice on children in matters of health. This group has no fair representation on matters of health. They have been denied crucial information vital in preventing some lifestyle diseases. The low number workforce in the childcare has contributed immensely to preventable deaths in children in the United Kingdom. Bibliography Bradbury ET., SPJ Kay, C Tighe, J Hewison 2011. “Decision-making by parents and Children in pediatric hand surgery”. British Journal of Plastic Surgery (47) 2011-5612. Bradding, A. and M Hortsman 2010 "Using the write and draw technique with children.” European Journal of Oncology Nursing, (3(3)), 1700-5050.Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry. Brook, G 2010. “Children's Competency to Consent: A Framework for Practice”. Pediatric Nursing, (12(5)), 2000 - 5000. Department of Health 2012 .Principles for Participation of Children, Young People, and Families in the Children’s Taskforce. (London: Department of Health,). Clarke, A. and P Moss 2010. Listening to young children: The Mosaic Approach. (London: National Children's Bureau). Cohen, J., and J Emanuel 2011. Positive Participation: Consulting and Involving Young People in Health-Related Work: A Planning and Training Resource. (London: Health Education Authority). Coombe, V. 2010 Up For It: Getting Young People Involved in Local Government. (London: The National Youth Agency,) Department of Health. Summary: Best Practice Guidance For Doctors And Other Health Professionals On The Provision Of Advice And Treatment To Young People Under 16 On Contraception, Sexual And Reproductive Health. [Gateway Ref. No. 3382. London: DoH, July 2004] Final Report. 2011. British Medical Association. Consent, Rights and Choices in Health Care for Children and Young People. (London: BMJ Books,) Radford, Susana Corral, Christine Bradley, Helen Fisher, Claire Bassett, Nick Howat and Stephan Collishaw 2012 child abuse and neglect in the UK today. http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf UNICEF, WHO (2011). Care for child development. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/75149/11/9789241548403_eng_Acknowledgements.pdf Worthington R 2011 Standard of healthcare and respecting children’s rights. Journal of the royal society of medicine pp. 2014-5000 Read More