The social policy chosen for this paper is the Child Protection Policy . It regards the protection of children from all the risks within the control of the parents, teachers, and society at large. Different aspects determine the growth and the integrated well-being of a child. The environment around which the child grows is shaped with many intricate factors that are fundamental to the child’s optimum well-being. Also, the performance and overall output of a child in their academics are heavily dependent on the level of protection they receive. The child protection policy is consequential to other education policies and rudimental parameters that contribute to the overall performance of a child (Wernham & Jackson, 2005). This means that the successful implementation of specific education policies is defined by the effectiveness with which the child protection policy is implemented.
Problem/Need Being Addressed
Child protection comes in many dimensions as there exist many elements that children need to be protected from. These elements revolve around aspects that endanger the well-being of a child or dangers of child abuse together with other hazards. Child abuse is probably the most significant problem that the child protection policy aims at addressing. Due to their vulnerability and general naivety, children are at high risk of abuse. Abuse comes in many forms such as sexual and physical abuse which is manifested through beating or hard labor. Also, physical abuse can be through working an underage child (Dixon & Welbourne, 2013). Child abuse can be based on the deprivation of basic needs to a child, which is a common form of abuse that the child protection policy is tailored to curb.
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Statistical Evidence
Over the years, different cases of child abuse have been reported. For instance, according to the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, three million cases of child-related illegalities were reported in 1993 (Burton, 2017). From the same figure, about 72% of the reported cases were related to negligence and different forms of abuse. The number has been fluctuating from one year to another. Also, as time progresses, child abuse and neglect have been taking different forms which have caused the figure to stagger from one year to another.
The Social Problem from the Perspectives of the Interest Groups
Advocates, policymakers, parents, teachers, and other relevant groups are often interested in seeing the child protection policy implemented to the latter. To them, they are motivated by the need to ensure that children are well-catered for and safe from any form of danger or distraction. From the perspective of the above-mentioned parties, child abuse can assume several definitions. It is crucial to understand that the aspect of child abuse is the one that leads to the design of the child protection policy. Therefore, the interested groups define the social problem of child abuse as a deprivation of the basic rights of the child who is integrated with the aspect of negligence and legal injustice (Wilson & James, 2007). These different models of definition are dependent on the interested group. For instance, child protection movements view the problem as a deprivation of children’s rights while advocates see it from a legal dimension.
Values Related To the Problem
Some of the values that are linked to the problem include personal perceptions, beliefs, morality, responsibility, and social status. Child abuse, as demonstrated earlier, can take many forms. For instance, the parents who deprive their children of basic needs and education lack the element of responsibility. Sexual and physical abuse have been attributed to such values as morality, personal beliefs, perceptions, social status, and even religion.
Causal Theories and Consequences Ascribed To the Problem
Many Causal theories have been developed to explain the child abuse menace. ‘Troubled homes’ is a come term for the families that live amidst a lot of domestic violence. Troubled homes are attributed to low income, drug abuse, and the general demography of the society in which a family resides. Premature marriages or deliveries are also linked to child abuse and negligence (Baginsky, 2008). When teenage pregnant girls deliver, they often do not receive the right support structure to raise the children. For this reason, such girls end up failing to provide the necessary needs or neglecting the children altogether. The consequences of the problem are that children grow without a decent life of provision and protection. In extreme cases, children can end up losing their lives.
Other Existing Laws that relate to this Problem for this target Population
Some laws provide the guidelines to protect children from different forms of abuse and negligence. The Mandatory Reporting statute requires stakeholders to follow up and ensure that cases of abuse and neglect are reported to the authorities. Another law is that minors should not be engaged in any sexual activities. Other laws prohibit any form of physical contact that may cause injury or harm to a child. Overall, different laws protect children from abuse, and they vary from one state to another.
Existing Proposed Legislation or Revisions to the Current Law That Address This Issue and Target Population
Most of the laws are comprehensive in covering different elements that lead to child abuse and negligence. However, I feel that the problem is the implementation of the laws and policies that have been made. Most of the existing proposed legislation or revisions to the current laws that address this issue and target population are based on the implementation strategies. For instance, one of the proposals is to enhance the child services programs and institutions. This is based on making better and more effective monitoring systems for children to ensure parents provide adequately for their children (Jadwiga & Laing, 2018).
References
Baginsky, M. (2008). Safeguarding Children and Schools. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Burton, R. (2017). Justice for Children . Retrieved from https://justiceforchildren.org/about-us/system-is-failing-our-children/
Dixon, J. & Welbourne, P. (2013). Child Protection and Child Welfare : A Global Appraisal of Cultures, Policy and Practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Jadwiga, L. & Laing, J. (2018). Thinking about Child Protection Practice : Case Studies for Critical Reflection and Discussion. Policy Press.
Wernham, M. & Jackson, E. (2005). Child Protection Policies and Procedures Toolkit : How to Create a Child-safe Organisation. Consortium for Street Children.
Wilson, K. & James, A. L. (2007). The Child Protection Handbook : The Practitioner's Guide to Safeguarding Children. Elsevier Health Sciences.
