The problem which this paper seeks to address centres on three separate questions: Why focus on the social? Why focus on childhood? Why focus on those things now, at this point in history? The paper begins by explaining why these are critical questions for chidhood studies, particularly in the light of contemporary developments in other fields. The latter includes materialist and post-humanist turns in the social sciences, as well as a number of existential threats currently faced by humanity, which are arguably so urgent that time should not be wasted on other issues. The paper then offers some reflections on the meaning and purpose of social inquiry and its relevance for childhood, which in their turn form the basis for a suggested response to the initial three questions and a fresh justification for doing what we do, but in a way that takes account of the critical issues raised.
The problem which this paper seeks to address centres on three separate questions: Why focus on the social? Why focus on childhood? Why focus on those things now, at this point in history? The paper begins by explaining why these are critical questions for chidhood studies, particularly in the light of contemporary developments in other fields. The latter includes materialist and post-humanist turns in the social sciences, as well as a number of existential threats currently faced by humanity, which are arguably so urgent that time should not be wasted on other issues. The paper then offers some reflections on the meaning and purpose of social inquiry and its relevance for childhood, which in their turn form the basis for a suggested response to the initial three questions and a fresh justification for doing what we do, but in a way that takes account of the critical issues raised.
Subject terms:
children, childrens rights, social policy, social work approaches;
Childhood has become a crucial topic of debate and policy initiatives. This book presents a new look at how childhood has changed in recent years. It reveals how children’s needs and experiences have achieved a new visibility in wider social and political discourse. Despite the privileges afforded to children in the West, the typical childhood experience there is no longer seen as an ideal
Childhood has become a crucial topic of debate and policy initiatives. This book presents a new look at how childhood has changed in recent years. It reveals how children’s needs and experiences have achieved a new visibility in wider social and political discourse. Despite the privileges afforded to children in the West, the typical childhood experience there is no longer seen as an ideal model for other parts of the globe. Recent reports and policy concerns suggest that growing up in the West may be marked by the commercialisation of childhood, which can lead to unhappiness, poor health, loss of innocence, and a general lack of well-being. The contributors here introduce readers to the cross-disciplinary field of childhood studies and offer an exciting and unique exploration of childhood as a concept, in the process engaging with a range of contemporary issues that shape our ideas of childhood both as an ideal and as a lived experience. Exploring childhood from a variety of research perspectives and traditions, it also serves as a powerful introduction to careers in childhood service.
Subject terms:
integrated services, mental health, social policy, children;
Adoption and Fostering, 36(1), Spring 2012, pp.52-59.
Publisher:
Sage
The primary role of adoption and fostering is about providing under-privileged children with families. National policies will obviously influence what actually happens but in recent years, the way policies are made and implemented has become as significant as the policies themselves. This is confirmed by two books describing the fashioning and implementation of two major child welfare initiatives
The primary role of adoption and fostering is about providing under-privileged children with families. National policies will obviously influence what actually happens but in recent years, the way policies are made and implemented has become as significant as the policies themselves. This is confirmed by two books describing the fashioning and implementation of two major child welfare initiatives in the UK – Providing a Sure Start (Eisenstadt, 2011) and Instruction to Deliver (Barber, 2008). This article reviews these books, and discusses how the process of developing social policy changed under New Labour – arguing that this new situation is likely to endure over successive governments.
Subject terms:
policy formulation, social policy, social care provision, children;
Government spending has been cut over the last year but the rhetoric from the top has been no less sympathetic to the preventative approach. The Early Action Task Force has said the conventional language of 'prevention' used around early action projects presupposes problems, victims and perpetrators, and called for the use of a new language of 'readiness' associated with assets and strengths. This report makes a number of recommendations to government, including ring-fencing spending on early-action projects; setting up an early-action fund centrally held by the Treasury; and creating a ‘minister for early action’. The report also calls on government to explore guarantees or insurances on social impact bonds to stimulate the public to invest. Meanwhile, charity funders are encouraged to consider the optimum point for intervention each time they fund, by developing a “one step sooner” mindset. The report also calls on funders to collaborate on developing a shared evidence base with consistent measurement of early-action projects. The report also recommends that new language around early action needs to be developed, saying the language of ‘prevention’ is pessimistic, reductive and discouraging, while the language of ‘readiness’ is motivating, optimistic and aspirational.
Government spending has been cut over the last year but the rhetoric from the top has been no less sympathetic to the preventative approach. The Early Action Task Force has said the conventional language of 'prevention' used around early action projects presupposes problems, victims and perpetrators, and called for the use of a new language of 'readiness' associated with assets and strengths. This report makes a number of recommendations to government, including ring-fencing spending on early-action projects; setting up an early-action fund centrally held by the Treasury; and creating a ‘minister for early action’. The report also calls on government to explore guarantees or insurances on social impact bonds to stimulate the public to invest. Meanwhile, charity funders are encouraged to consider the optimum point for intervention each time they fund, by developing a “one step sooner” mindset. The report also calls on funders to collaborate on developing a shared evidence base with consistent measurement of early-action projects. The report also recommends that new language around early action needs to be developed, saying the language of ‘prevention’ is pessimistic, reductive and discouraging, while the language of ‘readiness’ is motivating, optimistic and aspirational.
Subject terms:
prevention, social policy, children, early intervention;
...sections: framework for tackling child poverty, the Child Poverty Act and associated measures, the rationale for a child poverty strategy, and policy and legislation. It includes a summary of priority action areas. The overarching aim of the strategy is to provide the opportunity for all children and young people to thrive and to address the causes and consequences of disadvantage. The key strategic
The Child Poverty Act 2010 places a duty on the UK government to develop a strategy to eradicate child poverty, and on the devolved administrations to develop strategies which contribute to that goal. This strategy document sets out the actions proposed by the Northern Ireland Executive to address the issue of child poverty in fulfilment of its obligations under the Act. The strategy has 4 sections: framework for tackling child poverty, the Child Poverty Act and associated measures, the rationale for a child poverty strategy, and policy and legislation. It includes a summary of priority action areas. The overarching aim of the strategy is to provide the opportunity for all children and young people to thrive and to address the causes and consequences of disadvantage. The key strategic priorities are: to ensure, as far as possible, that poverty and disadvantage in childhood does not translate into poorer outcomes for children as they move into adulthood; to support more parents to be in work that pays, or pays better; to ensure the child's environment supports them to thrive; and to target financial support to be responsive to family situations.
Subject terms:
poverty, social policy, children, government policy;
HERNANDEZ Virginia Rondero, MONTANA Salvador, CLARKE Kris
Journal article citation:
Health and Social Work, 35(4), November 2010, pp.291-301.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
The authors outline the current knowledge about child health inequality and recommend how social workers can effect change in this area through practice, policy, and research that adheres to the profession's ethical principles and standards and promotes the public health. Ignoring children's health needs can compromise their educational preparedness, occupational pursuits, productivity
The authors outline the current knowledge about child health inequality and recommend how social workers can effect change in this area through practice, policy, and research that adheres to the profession's ethical principles and standards and promotes the public health. Ignoring children's health needs can compromise their educational preparedness, occupational pursuits, productivity, and longevity. Current science demonstrates that developmental, emotional, or behavioural limitations experienced during the early years of life and over the life course are associated with poor adult health outcomes. Poverty, restricted access to health insurance and health care services, cultural and linguistic barriers, neighbourhood conditions, and racial and class inequalities exacerbate poor health outcomes and contribute to child health inequality. The authors suggest that in order to respond to the complexities and threats of child health inequality, social workers must be sensitised to the physical and material constraints that support them and join forces with other disciplines in comprehensive approaches to prevent them.
Subject terms:
public health, social policy, social work, children;
Social Policy and Society, 7(4), October 2008, pp.445-456.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Children's lives have been transformed over the past century. Family incomes have increased, children lead lives that are more solitary, attitudes to childhood have changed, new products have been developed and commercial pressures on children have increased. The importance of these commercial pressures is analysed. Do children understand advertising? How is child poverty affected? How does...
Children's lives have been transformed over the past century. Family incomes have increased, children lead lives that are more solitary, attitudes to childhood have changed, new products have been developed and commercial pressures on children have increased. The importance of these commercial pressures is analysed. Do children understand advertising? How is child poverty affected? How does increased materialism affect psychological well-being? The issues raised for public policy are discussed in terms of children's freedom.
Subject terms:
mass media, quality of life, social policy, children;
This paper aims to clarify what is known about the so-called obesity epidemic, and critically examines the evidence about the causes and consequences of obesity. The author highlights the ideological dimensions of this debate, and raises important ethical questions about programmes aimed at tackling obesity, particularly those directed at children. Scottish policy and obesity is also discussed.
This paper aims to clarify what is known about the so-called obesity epidemic, and critically examines the evidence about the causes and consequences of obesity. The author highlights the ideological dimensions of this debate, and raises important ethical questions about programmes aimed at tackling obesity, particularly those directed at children. Scottish policy and obesity is also discussed.
Thhe nature of the relationship between children, parents and the state has been central to the growth of the modern welfare state and has long been a problem for western liberal democracies. Welfare states have undergone profound restructuring over the past two decades and families also have changed, in terms of their form and the nature of the contributions that men and women make to them. More...
Thhe nature of the relationship between children, parents and the state has been central to the growth of the modern welfare state and has long been a problem for western liberal democracies. Welfare states have undergone profound restructuring over the past two decades and families also have changed, in terms of their form and the nature of the contributions that men and women make to them. More attention is being paid to children by policymakers, but often because of their importance as future ‘citizen workers’. The book explores the implications of changes to the welfare state for children in a range of countries.
The Government aims to eliminate child poverty by 2020. This study, by researchers in the Centre for Analysis of Social Policy at the University of Bath, looks at the major policy areas that will potentially deliver this aim. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of how policy works in 2005/06 and - using hypothetical models - examines how far these reduce poverty by 2020.
The Government aims to eliminate child poverty by 2020. This study, by researchers in the Centre for Analysis of Social Policy at the University of Bath, looks at the major policy areas that will potentially deliver this aim. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of how policy works in 2005/06 and - using hypothetical models - examines how far these reduce poverty by 2020.