Protecting a Childs Psychological Welfare - Assignment Example

SЕ STUDY Саsе Study Name Course Tutor’s Name 12, 05, 2017 Part A a) The children’s best interest Parents play an essential role in the lives of their children. They take the central responsibility of providing, protecting, educating, and loving them unconditionally. From the case study, it is clear that Rachael and Ben are more attached to their mother Jane than they are to their father Bill. Jane and Bill have been separated for four years and the children have missed out on being raised in a stable home by both parents. This clearly depicts that the children have experienced a hard time growing up without support from both parents. Child psychologist Penelope Leach in an interview on Daily mail UK said “No child is too young or too old to be affected by family break –up. It will always be emotionally disruptive, miserable and bewildering – whether they are six months, six years or twenty six” (James & James 2004, p.78). UNHCR (2008) has guidelines that are used in determining the best interests of the child, they allow for the opinion of the child to be heard and ensure that the child’s view (s) is given due attention. Behaviorism theory assumes that learners are generally passive and they react to the environmental stimuli (James 2012). From the observable behavior of the two children; Rachael and Ben, it can be argued that their behavior towards their father Bill is based on the current condition between their parents. The children started off on a clean slate - tabula rasa but with time, their behavior is shaped by either positive or negative fortification. Jane and Ruby have painted a pessimistic picture of Bill to the children through sharing depressing stories that inform the children’s reaction to their father. The cognitive-development theory developed by Jean Piaget (1896-1990) defines how a child’s thinking evolves as they continually interact with the environment around them (James 2015). So Rachael and Ben’s reaction is in response to their reality. They are both at the concrete operational stage where a child learns to think and organize the information they receive rationally. They logically organize concrete information they observe and react to it. These children both faced by the situation of an absent father, who happens not to consistently be in their lives. They also have their mother and grandmother sharing negative stories of their father, and it apparently paints a very dull picture of their father. That information whether true or not, is not appropriate for a six and eight year old to hear. While the alienating parent may not have the intention to hurt the children, it can have extremely negative consequences on their well being. Erickson’s psychoanalytic theory argues that an individual’s psychosocial calamity affects their personality development, either positively or negatively and this can be applied in the children’s lives (Alanen 1988). Both Rachael and Ben were affected by their mother’s alienation techniques. The functional theories are founded on protecting a child’s psychological welfare, influenced by attachment theory where deep emotional bond is developed resulting from the children living daily with their mother. Sudden separation from their mother may not be in the best interest of the children. According to the attachment theory, children become more attached to a caregiver who interacts with them and gives care to them consistently (Bauman 2000). The mother of the child is often considered to be the attachment figure mostly because they are the primary caregiver though the theory does not suggest that fathers cannot equally become principle attachment figures especially if they are the main caregivers to the children. The children wish to be with their mother, this should be given weight. b) The parents attitude towards responsibility Both parents illustrates a huge challenge in creating a conducive environment for the children. For the parents, playing the ‘blame game’ may be satisfying to them in the short term; this will actually begin to surreptitiously undermine oneself, while eroding the other parent in the process. When parents blame each other, they are negating their own parenting prowess and robbing themselves of all their strengths and qualities as parents. The amount of time and effort spent in generating blame results in loss of time spent enjoying the children. From this study, the father is conflicted because he is not able to be the primary breadwinner supporting his children. The Masculinity ideology which focuses not only on beliefs of men adhering to culturally laid down principles for male behavior but also their attitude towards those roles. This father has been denied the opportunity to be the provider for his children since the mother and grandmother has taken that role. The mother has to work for long hours to ensure she takes care of the family which contradicts the masculinity ideology that recognizes the roles of the male figure in the family as the primary breadwinner. From a feminist perspective, a person’s gender should not define what role they play in raising a family. Women historically have been disadvantaged that children are placed with their fathers after divorce but an equally feminist presumption favors women as the primary custodians of the children. Liberal feminism argues that individuals whether male or female be treated equally when deliberating on issues family, in this case, formal equality being applied on who should have custody of the children. c) Capacity of the parents to take care of the children’s needs From the study, both parents have capacity financially to support the children. Jane and her mother Ruby, have taken care of the children’s financial needs thus far, even the school report states that the children are progressing well in all areas. One parent cannot fully support the emotional needs of his or her children. During the interview with the children, they had a hard time separating from their mother; this clearly shows that the children prefer a familiar caregiver. The children portray a negative response to their father their withdrawal and refusal to interact with their dad displays behavioral impairment symptoms. Each parent clearly shows interest in having custody of the children but according to the ‘best interest’ principle, a child has a right to love both parents and have access to each without interference. Children do best when either parent is supportive of their relationship and time spent with the other parent. The key to raising well-rounded children is to establish solid support system at home - Amy Capetta. d) Children’s protection Both parents have a very vital role to play in the lives of the children. The center of focus in the whole custody dispute should be directed on the need of the children giving due consideration to the safety, security and protection from abuse and neglect. The hostility experienced between the parents in this case study clearly depicts the application of attachment theory and the absent parent experiences the consequences. Infants and young children form attachment to any consistent caregivers who interact with them. The children need both parents for supervision and support to enhance their well- being. Ben portrayed queer emotional behavior during the interview; his fear for his father was evident. Through psychological manipulation, it is deducible that Jane has fostered and encouraged rejection of their father Bill by the children. Since the children spend more time with their primary caregiver, their mother Jane, this offers an opportunity to spread her influence. The story told to Ben and Rachael about Ben’s attempt to kill Jane with a knife when they were babies is an execution of one parent’s effort to denigrate the other parent. This will automatically interfere with the children’s relationship with that parent. Since Bill has been an absent parent, the children reject, resist contact and display extreme reluctance to be with him. The children portray negative reaction to their father Bill and these impressions were formed during the tumultuous times in their parent’s relationship. This led to the mother alienating the children from their father, being that Jane was the primary custodial parent. It could be combined with or independent of the “alienation process conducted by the primary custodial parent against the absent parent” (Giddens 2007, p.54). SECTION B It is very unfortunate that Bill, because of his separation from wife Jane, loses his position in the family and the attachment to his children is damaged. The children have no power whatsoever in this situation, they cannot influence the situation, especially because in this study, the primary caregiver (Jane) discredits the absent father (Bill). The attachment theory comes into play when the children refuse to interact with their father and this fear leads to Ben being scared of being grabbed. In the development process of the children, they are initially attached to their mother, which is important part of growth but it is also equally important to also be attached to the father to ensure a balance in the children’s emotional and behavioral development. The bickering taking place between the parents clearly affects the reaction of the children. The information fed to the children about their father by both their mother and grandmother influence the children’s behavior. Piaget theory is supported when the children evidently create their own knowledge in response to their situation. It is apparent that the children can logically reason about events that have taken place in their lives especially with their parents. Erickson psychoanalytical theory of psychosocial development exhibits plainly in the children’s experiences in the course of their growth path (Evans 1997). Their experience living with their mother and grandmother has affected their personality development negatively. They cannot interrelate well with their father; they believe their father does not care about them. There is a need to have the children involved in the mediation and conciliation activities of custody disputes. The role of children in custody decisions is a controversial question whether one is considering mediation, litigation or out of court negotiations between parents and attorneys (Evans 1997, p.137). In conclusion, adequate resources to support families and improved access to justice will ensure that the children’s “best interest” is kept at the center of the agenda. There should be an intentional focus for parents to prepare their children for separation by being open about it with them and not one parent alienating the children from the other parent. The parents separation has without a doubt, affected the children’s psychosocial development. They are not able to interrelate with their father who is very fundamental to their growth and development. References List Alanen, L 1988, ‘Rethinking Childhood’, Acta Sociologica, vol. 31, no.1, pp. 53-67. Bauman, Z 2000, Liquid Modernity, Polity Press, Cambridge. Connolly, M 2015, Social work: from theory to practice, 2nd edn, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne. Evans, M 1997, Introducing contemporary feminist thought, Blackwell Publishers Ltd., Cambridge, UK. Giddens, A 2007, Europe in the Global Age, Polity Press, Cambridge. James, A 2012, ‘Constructing the Sick Child: The Cultural Politics of Children's Hospitals’, The Sociological review, vol 60, no.4, pp.754 – 772. James, A 2015, Constructing and Reconstructing Childhood: Contemporary issues in the sociological study of childhood, 3rd edn, Routledge, London. James, A & James, A 2004, Constructing Childhood, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke. UNHCR 2008, Guidelines on determining the best interests of the children, Geneva, Switzerland Read More

They also have their mother and grandmother sharing negative stories of their father, and it apparently paints a very dull picture of their father. That information whether true or not, is not appropriate for a six and eight year old to hear. While the alienating parent may not have the intention to hurt the children, it can have extremely negative consequences on their well being. Erickson’s psychoanalytic theory argues that an individual’s psychosocial calamity affects their personality development, either positively or negatively and this can be applied in the children’s lives (Alanen 1988).

Both Rachael and Ben were affected by their mother’s alienation techniques. The functional theories are founded on protecting a child’s psychological welfare, influenced by attachment theory where deep emotional bond is developed resulting from the children living daily with their mother. Sudden separation from their mother may not be in the best interest of the children. According to the attachment theory, children become more attached to a caregiver who interacts with them and gives care to them consistently (Bauman 2000).

The mother of the child is often considered to be the attachment figure mostly because they are the primary caregiver though the theory does not suggest that fathers cannot equally become principle attachment figures especially if they are the main caregivers to the children. The children wish to be with their mother, this should be given weight. b) The parents attitude towards responsibility Both parents illustrates a huge challenge in creating a conducive environment for the children. For the parents, playing the ‘blame game’ may be satisfying to them in the short term; this will actually begin to surreptitiously undermine oneself, while eroding the other parent in the process.

When parents blame each other, they are negating their own parenting prowess and robbing themselves of all their strengths and qualities as parents. The amount of time and effort spent in generating blame results in loss of time spent enjoying the children. From this study, the father is conflicted because he is not able to be the primary breadwinner supporting his children. The Masculinity ideology which focuses not only on beliefs of men adhering to culturally laid down principles for male behavior but also their attitude towards those roles.

This father has been denied the opportunity to be the provider for his children since the mother and grandmother has taken that role. The mother has to work for long hours to ensure she takes care of the family which contradicts the masculinity ideology that recognizes the roles of the male figure in the family as the primary breadwinner. From a feminist perspective, a person’s gender should not define what role they play in raising a family. Women historically have been disadvantaged that children are placed with their fathers after divorce but an equally feminist presumption favors women as the primary custodians of the children.

Liberal feminism argues that individuals whether male or female be treated equally when deliberating on issues family, in this case, formal equality being applied on who should have custody of the children. c) Capacity of the parents to take care of the children’s needs From the study, both parents have capacity financially to support the children. Jane and her mother Ruby, have taken care of the children’s financial needs thus far, even the school report states that the children are progressing well in all areas.

One parent cannot fully support the emotional needs of his or her children. During the interview with the children, they had a hard time separating from their mother; this clearly shows that the children prefer a familiar caregiver. The children portray a negative response to their father their withdrawal and refusal to interact with their dad displays behavioral impairment symptoms. Each parent clearly shows interest in having custody of the children but according to the ‘best interest’ principle, a child has a right to love both parents and have access to each without interference.

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