The Components of a Protective Environment for Children - Case Study Example

A protective environment shields children from any form of harm and it involves the norms, practices, values and support of the community and society at large where the child resides; the ability and knowledge of parents and guardians responsible for the wellbeing of the child; and governance system like policy to protect children. In addition, attitudes and customs also form part of a protective environment for children in that, those traditional practices that violates children’s rights or abuse children should be changed to protect children. Societies, governments and individuals can ensure that children stay in a safe environment by promoting positive parenting, creating child-friendly schools, open dialogue and public awareness about child protection issues, addressing culture and customs among others. This paper discusses a protective environment for children covering the components of a protective environment and how individuals can work together to ensure that children are protected and stay safe in the society. A protective environment for children is composed of many issues including first, government commitment and capacity where governments needs to offer budgetary support for child protection and adopt programs and policies that prevents the violation of children’s rights. Another component is capacity of families and communities, that is, those interacting with children including parents and teachers need to consider protective child rearing practices and have appropriate knowledge and skills that would enable them to recognize and effectively respond to any form of exploitation and abuse of children (Collins and Foley 2008, p.178). Attitudes and customs are another component of a protective environment for children and in this component, governments and societies should be able to question and condemn attitudes and beliefs that stimulate or cause child abuse. In addition, governments and societal members should focus on ways to preserve the dignity of children and urge the public to assume the responsibility of protecting every child in the society. More so, legislation and enforcement forms part of a protective environment for children in that, governments need to implement laws that protect children from abuse, exploitation and any form of violence and ensure that the perpetrators of crimes against children are prosecuted. In addition, open discussion including civil society and media is necessary in creating a protective environment for children (Collins and Foley 2008, p.178). For instance, societies should create open forums to discuss exploitation, abuse and violence of children and this is possible through the media and civil society groups. This way, the public will be aware of what exploits children and violates their rights and be able to come up with appropriate and effective ways to protect children and ensure that they sat safe in the society. Moreover, children’s rights, knowledge and participation are appropriate to ensure their safety. Societal members especially adults should make sure that children are aware of their rights and that they are empowered to express them. They should also be fully equipped with the important information and skills they need to defend themselves from abuse, violence and exploitation. Again, a protective environment for children includes monitoring, reporting and oversight of abuses and exploitation as well as other issues affecting children in the society. More so, the essential services should be provided to enable the victims of abuse to meet their needs and the basic social services should be provided to all children without discrimination (Collins and Foley 2008, p.179). There are many ways through which society, government and individuals can work together to ensure that children are protected and stay safe in the society. Firstly, people can promote both maternal and child health to ensure that children stay safe. By ensuring that every child has an access to quality health services will enable children to live a healthy lifestyle. Services like immunization will allow children to fight some illnesses and disability. More so, safety measures such as peer education and voluntary counseling can be put in place to prevent the transmission of diseases like HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). In addition, teenagers need to be informed about the family planning and contraceptives in order to prevent cases of early pregnancy. They should also be aware of dangers of early pregnancy, safe abortion services as well as how to prevent or treat STIs. Secondly, society can establish child-friendly schools where children can feel safe and protected. Notably, child education is the central preventative mechanism as it helps in minimizing a child’s exposure to sexual and labour exploitation, and engagement in criminal activities. Normally, schools provide an environment that is safe and free from violence, humiliation, discrimination and abuse among others. Another way to ensure that children stay safe is by addressing culture and customs. There should be some changes to culture and customs especially those that violate children’s rights. For instance, for the right to child protection to be upheld, traditional practices that harm children have to be identified and changed accordingly. However, changing society’s customs and practices remains a major challenge to establishing a protective environment for children in that, exploitative and abusive practices linked to traditions are very difficult to change to be in line with child protection strategies. Moreover, promoting open dialogue and public awareness is one of the most effective ways to keep children safe. The government, schools, society, the media should openly discuss child protection issues and this will encourage children to report cases of abuse and maltreatment. The media, for example, should play a significant role in educating societal members and raising awareness on child protection issues and it should also alert individuals in case of any violation of children’s rights. Furthermore, children’s safety can be guaranteed by promoting children’s life skills, knowledge and participation in their own protection. In most cases, children are willing to participate in the decision making process to meet their immediate needs and individuals interests and in influencing policy (Foley and Leverett 2008, p.162). Society should empower children with the awareness of their rights and also provide them with necessary information about child protection issues and teach them safety and protection skills. Empowerment is the process through which power is established and acquired by individuals lacking it (Foley and Leverett 2008, p.172). Lastly, people can ensure that children stay safe by promoting positive parenting. For instance, families should not employ physical punishment but use alternative forms of discipline in order to protect children from the problems associated with physical punishment. Parenting is a complicated process that requires appropriate skills, knowledge and values (Foley and Rixon 2008, p.97). In conclusion, it is necessary to create a protective environment for children for them to feel that they are safe. Creating a protective environment for children involves successfully addressing attitudes and customs specifically harmful traditional practices that violates children’s rights. More so, it involves formulating and implementing policies that protect children and aggressively address abuse, violence or exploitation of children and ensure that the victims are prosecuted. In any way, children need to be protected from abuse, exploitation, and violence and their rights in general, however, failing to create a protective environment where children can feel safe; the consequences are adverse including death. In most cases, unprotected children in their childhood fail to prepare for adult life fully. Governments have the responsibility of protecting all children and they are held accountable if they fail to do so. Therefore, governments should continue developing and implementing national child protection policies and standards so as fulfill their obligation on child protection. The society that fails to protect children deprives these children the chance to exploit their potential and denies them the chance to develop accordingly. References Collins, J., & Foley, J. (2008). Promoting Children’s Wellbeing: Policy and Practice. University of Bristol: The Policy Press Foley, P., & Rixon, A. (2008). Changing Children’s Services: Working and Learning Together. University of Bristol: Policy Press Leverett, S., & Foley, P. (2008). Connecting with Children: Developing Working Relationships. University of Bristol: The Policy Press Read More