Social and Theoretical Perspectives of Children and Young People - Coursework Example

Social and theoretical perspectives of children and young people Introduction “A person’s life consists of the culturally defined age categories through he or she passes between birth and death” includes “infancy childhood, sexual maturation, adulthood and old age” (Peoples and Bailey, 2008, p 218). In the contemporary society it is a complex phenomenon to be a child or a young man. A wide range of factors like family background, gender role, ethical norms, class status, educational qualifications and mental and physical health are responsible for the development of a teenager or a young man. In fact these are the determinants of an individual’s response to the society. Childhood, adolescence and youth are three vital phases of life. Childhood ranges from birth to adolescence. It is further divided into toddlerhood, early childhood, middle childhood and the pre-adolescent period. Adolescence is a period of transition from puberty to adulthood (Adams and Berzonsky, 2005 p 596). An adolescence entering into the domain of the legal childhood is the vibrant youth of the society. Puberty and adolescent are included in the period of sexual maturation. However, the age categories in general remain the same irrespective of culture and society. The biological similarities pervade throughout the world but the role of culture in a particular society varies and therefore, the life course pattern also varies in accordance to it. If we take the example of the life course of a Gusii female, she passes through the culturally defined phases of “infant, uncircumcised girl, married woman and female elder” (Peoples and Bailey, 2008, p 218). The scenario in discussion is apt to highlight how family circumstance and surrounding are strong factors in determining the mental state of the adolescents and their sexual relationships. In the handbook a boy named Scott of 16 years expresses vengeance against his father because his father has left him. On the other hand, Stacey enters into sexual relationship being burdened by unhealthy surroundings and suffers alienation due careless attitudes of her alcoholic mother. (Cleaver, 2010 p 9) The research works have emerged with various theoretical perspectives to comment on the psychological states of the children and the young adults with respect to the response from the society and the counter response to the society. Critically examine the range of issues, which may affect children, and young people’s experience of childhood and adolescence “The home and neighborhood, church, media and workplace are the institutions that exercise the most influence on the young” (Dalin and Dust, 1996, p 71). The educational needs of children and young people vary from one local environment to the other. A child who has been brought up in a rural surrounding will differ in his social attributes from another child reared up in an urbane ambience. The western world and its drive towards the type of family and religion will definitely influence the pattern of education imparted to the individuals. Therefore, in accordance to the knowledge gained from the society, the children and the young people develop the level of psychological perceptions. It has been perceived that the home front has lost its influence with the augmenting power of the electronic media. They are exercising tremendous control over the youth of the generations. However, with the emergence of “New types of family constellations” the disorientation of the family values is regulated. Recent data show that a school area in Los Angeles has started with “a renewal programme” (Dalin and Dust, 1996 p 72) in which it is mandatory for the parents to sign a contract. The parents according to the terms of the contract are to participate in thirty hours of volunteer service along with their children. The contract anticipates integration of familial connections. It is true that the family values are changing. The historical role of a mother is restricted to the domestic spheres but with the passing of time the working mother cannot give that degree of attention to her child but still it is believed that home is a source of “superior social and ecological balance” (Dalin and Dust, 1996 p 73). The healthy relation between the husband and the wife is needed for the proper psychological development of a child. The home front must be the ground of the child’s primary knowledge and education. The parents must initiate the learning activities like reading and traveling. However in the household of the single parents children often have to stay alone at homes for long duration. In this case, home cannot be the strong institution to support a child. If on the other hand, it is found a family suffers from financial crisis then to the education imparted to children is also minimal. Lack of money and education in most cases leads the youth to labor market and deprived standard of living. According to the various search conducted it has been evaluated that “Friends, neighbors and family members” are the key players in helping to secure a jobs (MacDonald and Marsh 2005, p 882). Therefore, we may say that lack of family support and isolation from friends may have negative impact upon the minds of young people. “Family functioning” and “child behavior” are inter-related and determine the degree of development of a child (Powell, pp 141-153). In case of Scott we find that family and social surroundings has affected his life. Scott resides in Windmore that is subject to high rate poverty and crime and the place is excluded from the mainstream culture. His father who has entered into another sexual relationship abandons Scott. Scott’s mother has given up her job since the birth of a daughter. The extreme situation of poverty and separation from his father has somehow hampered the free flowing spirit of a boy of his age. Stacey feels deprived of mother’s love and is mentally disturbed. Critically review a range of theoretical perspectives applicable to children and young people, which serve to explain variations in experiences of childhood and adolescence   The standard of living is also influential in shaping the mind of the young individuals. It is opined that a “life of poverty” is detrimental to the society and its individuals. It increases the rate of “crime, violence, underemployment, unemployment, and isolation from larger community” (Duncan. p 16). It is not only the damage to individual fates but the future of a society is also hampered. It decreases the number of educated citizen. Moreover, poor standard of living decelerates the social communion. The children of the poor parents are affected the most, as they cannot do anything to improve on their state. In recent times various programs are conducted to provide basic necessities to the family of those living below the poverty line. Poverty and class differences have resulted in exclusion of the young people from the mainstream of the society. The network of families rooted in “de-industrialized locales” (Macdonald and Marsh 2005, p 873) often disillusions the young individuals. A poor neighborhood also defeats the morale of the young people. Recent trends show that adulthood is marked by “unpredictability, backward steps and false starts” (MacDonald and Marsh, 2005, p 874) and as a result a many writers have kept themselves aloof “from structurally-oriented, class based analyses of youth transitions in favor of theories about individualization and Risk Society” (MacDonald and Marsh 2005, p 874). Poverty and the subsequent uncertainty are contributing to individual autonomy. As a result, we find the gradual “social exclusion” (MacDonald and Marsh, 2005, p 874) of the youth from the society. The social exclusion includes speedy transition to working in the labor market, parenting a child at an early age and independent living. The youth phase is critical and a qualitative transition to adulthood is required to overcome the dangers of class and ethnic differences. However, it is argued that the transition studies are damaging, as it does not provide the young peoples own reflections. Moreover, such studies forcibly bring out the young people out of their youth equation. Transition studies have also narrowed down the sphere of career from full-time school to education to the labor market. Coles is of the opinion that it should include “family careers” and “housing careers” (MacDonald and Marsh, 2005, p 875). Three other careers like “criminal careers”, “drug-using careers” and “leisure careers” are also taken into consideration to analyze the change to adulthood. The analyses show that these careers are united by the “common experience of economic marginality” (MacDonald and Marsh, 2005, p 876). The late start of education was a minus point for them and they have to fight against low wages and insecure “poor work” (MacDonald and Marsh, 2005, p. 876). The Scott of our handbook due to social deprivation has suffered a setback and the anger against his father is bound to give vent to negative attributes. Similarly, Luke’s alienation from his fellow mates has driven him to sexual intimacy at a young age. Critically review a range of psychological, social and cultural factors as well as relationships that potentially affect the transitional phase The children and the young people suffer from a psychological setback when they experience the hardships of life. The periods are delicate as their minds remain in a state of flux. The decision-making powers are yet not developed to the fullest. At such a juncture, it becomes quite difficult for them to response to the society in a proper way if isolated by family and friends. The psychological retardation often reduces their capability to communicate with others in the professional fields in the near future. A child who has seen the estrangement and divorce between his parents often faces the phobia to move into a romantic or marital relationship. In these cases, “children must be removed from their homes for their own good” given foster care. The society has its norms and taboos (Levine and Munsch, 2010, p 515). The taboos are often unauthentic and baseless. For example, the society stresses on the equality of human beings but we do see in places of high social standards, the socially backward classes are denied admittance or their entrance is accepted but with a degree of humiliation. Most of the people hardly know the meaning of culture but randomly use this term to create a bifurcation between the accomplished and the unaccomplished. To be explicit, culture is for them who have money and position. The affluent sections of the society cannot refer the people living in the backward areas as cultured. Societal divisions often lead to “arrested adulthood” (Cote, 2000, p 157). However, it must be remembered that children and the young adults brought up in the slums will nave different social attributes and are often aggressive and harsh in their nature. The culture of their place makes them do so. Poverty and the need to survive often lead them to stealing and various malpractices. The level of education is also minimal to seek any respectable job. The basic illiteracy is the source of many problems. Lack of knowledge often leads to unprotected sex and early pregnancy. The sexual abuse by relatives and physical tortures on the females entering the phase of adulthood are rampant. These inhuman behavioral patterns also cause mental instability among the young females (Stein and Munro 2008, p 227). As mentioned in the handbook the lives of Scott, the family and cultural factors determine Luke and Stacey. The impact of it as we see Stacey has become pregnant while at school. However, she is lucky to have a committed boyfriend like Luke. But that is an added burden on Luke’s shoulders. The rejection that Luke suffers affects his academic result. Critically review research pertaining to children and young people that focus on their experiences of childhood, adolescence and their transition to adulthood The social exclusions of the young individuals because of the socio-economic conditions are an ever-going phenomenon. The life of the “disadvantaged locality” (Johnston, MacDonald, Mason and Ridley, p 2) and their effect on the children and the young people are surveyed to come a proper conclusion. From this perspective, we see the adherence to the “mainstream” and “diverse” (Johnston, MacDonald, Mason and Ridley p 2) careers by the young adults. Various projects are also brought in for securing “inclusive” (Johnston, Macdonald, Mason and Ridley, 2000 p 2). The surveys conducted in the Teesside and Willowdene show that during the middle of the twentieth century the heavy and the chemical industries in these places were uplifted in terms of wages and quality of working. However, in between 1975 and 1986, the conditions worsened due “mass redundancies” (Johnston, Macdonald, Mason and Ridley, 2000, p 2) and joblessness prevailed over the place. Underclass theories state that a prolonged economic marginality may amount to anti-social activities. On, the other hand, Murray, one of the exponents of conservative underclass theory turned up with a new theory of the “new rabble” underclass in his research study pertaining to Kelby. Presently, awareness programs are held out for the young fathers. Earlier the bodies like The Teenage Pregnancy Advisory Group used to secure the measures of the young mothers and the newborn baby. Now stress is also given to aid the young fathers. Professional care is supposed to be given to the young fathers. However the problem is that the “teenage relationships are fragile” (Reeves, Gale, Webb, Delaney and Cocklin, 2009, p 18).  The teenagers easily break away from one relation to the other and this increases the chances of multi-partnering and having more children. Therefore a web of “complex young families” (Reeves, Gale, Webb, Delaney and Cocklin, 2009, p 18) is created. Surveys and studies also have been conducted to find out a young father’s efficiency in carrying out his duties and responsibilities. We have found that some are reckless in their attitudes and others are behaving as a responsible father (Reeves, 2006, pp 79-90). However, “Each parents has a unique experience and perspective upon the care of their baby” (Meeks, Hallsworth and Yeo, 2009, p 57). In schools, consultancies must be incorporated to aid the teachers “to plan a program or intervention for individual students” (Porter, p 69) and a communication must be established between the teacher-parent. Care should be taken in the family and schools to make the lives of adolescents like Scott, Luke and Stacey a better place to live in. Otherwise the prolonged social exclusion may hamper their psychological understandings. Conclusion In the end, we may conclude that society and family are the two vital platforms for a child and a young adult. Moreover, in the adolescent period the family must cater to the psychological needs of an individual. The financial condition also determines an individual’s response and psychological development. The role of family, society, culture and economy are the factors contributing to the psychology of the children and the young people. Many theories have evolved in this sphere and researches are conducted but what is more important is to stabilize the marginalized situations of the young individuals.                 References Cleaver, K, (2010), Social and Theoretical Perspectives of Children and Young People, the University of Greenwich Peoples, J and G. Bailey, (2008), Humanity: An Introduction to cultural Anthropology, Cengage Learning. Dalin, P and V. Rust, (1996), Towards Schooling For The Twenty-First Century, Continuum International Publishing House Duncan, J.G, (1999), Consequences of Growing Up Poor, Russell Sage Foundation MacDonald, R and J. Marsh, (2005), Disconnected Youth? Growing Up in Britain’s Poor Neighborhood, Palgrave Macmillan Johnston, L, MacDonald, R, Mason, P and L. Ridley (2000), Snakes and Ladders: Young People, Transitions and Social Exclusion Reeves, J, Gale, L, Webb, J, Delaney, R and N. Cocklin, (2009), “Focusing on young: developing integrated services for young fathers”, Community Practitioner, Vol-82, Issue-9 Reeves, (2006), Practice: Social work in action Meeks, M, Hallsworth, M, H.Yeo, (2009), Nursing the Neonate, John Wiley and Sons Levine, L and J. Munsch (2010), Child Development: An Active Learning Approach, SAGE Publications Powell, D, (1988), Parent Education as early Childhood Intervention, Greenwood Publishing Group Porter, L, (2008), Teacher-Parent Collaboration: Early childhood to Adolescence, Aust council for Ed Research Adams, G and M.Berzonsky, (2005), Blackwell Handbook of Adolescence, Wiley-Blackwell Stein, M and E. Munro, (2008), Young People’s Transition from Care to Adulthood: International research and Practice, Jessica Kingsley Publishers Cote, J, (2000), Arrested Adulthood: The Changing Nature of Identity and Maturity, NYU Press  Read More