Young People in Society Free Essays

Explain how political, economic and social constructs can be used to categories society. Look at how Irish society stratifies according to social class and gender. Sociologists develop theories and concepts to help reveal the structure of social life and they engage in numerous different forms of empirical Investigation to test and develop these theories. We will write a custom essay sample on Young People in Society or any similar topic only for you Order Now They are Interested In how people communicate and create meaning and understanding, but they are also interested in questions of power and inequality. They use a variety of sources such as historical documents, observations, river research to help develop reliable information about how society operates. Define social stratification Social stratification is a system where people are ranked hierarchically which leads to groups of people being classified into layers and strata (class, caste, slavery and estate). Class – social class system Is a system of stratification that results from unequal distribution of wealth, power and prestige. Caste -? this is a fixed arrangement of strata from the most to the least privileged. Estate – this consist three different strata or layers – aristocracy, clergy and commoners. Slavery – this is the oldest and most extreme form of stratification or inequality in which some people are literally owned by others as property. All social stratification systems share four basic principles each reflecting how these systems cause inequalities based on class, gender, ethnicity, age, religious affiliation and consequences at an Individual and at a collective level In society, no one social stratification system Is unique, each system Is a characteristic of the society It relates to and it is not simply a reflection of differences at an individual level, nor is it a new incept as afore mentioned but it is a system that has and will persist over generations and although stratification systems may not be an exact replica In each society, fundamentally stratification systems are universal albeit widely variable, they also incorporate ideological beliefs while also engendering shared identities (Macaroni et a’, 2005). Do all societies stratify? If so, in what way? Virtually all societies have some form of stratification or structured inequalities that are organized and that persist over time. It Is universal but variable and seems to be found everywhere. At the same time, what is unequal and how unequal it is varies from one society to another. For example, I) Social stratification persist over generation – in all societies, parents confer their social positions on their children, so that patterns of inequality stay much the same from generation to generation. (Monoclonal et a’, 2005). II) Some Individuals do also experience social mobility -? It may be downward or upward. Society celebrate the achievements of those who rose to people are regarded as more important than others, more worthy of respect or seen as more useful than others in certain situations. It is also evident that people could move downward as a result of illness, unemployment, economic break-down, business setback etc. However, social standing of most people remain unchanged for a life time – like the Royal Family in England. What system of stratification is in operation in Ireland? Is it an open or close system of stratification? The social stratification in Ireland today is undefined. However, the class system seem to be in operation in Ireland and it is considered a close system. A closed system does not afford a person the same opportunity, and as a result a person’s position in fife is solely determined by the family group they are born into. Identity and belonging dominate the social class in modern Ireland. This can be to the majority of people defined by two categories: the first being wealth (Middle class). If you are wealthy you have a lot more opportunities in education, professionals or higher managerial e. G. Senior government workers, doctors, farmers, company directors etc. And; secondly being poor (Lower class). – these are people in lower scale in the society e. G. School teachers, driver, machine operator, bar-worker waitress, cleaner, call- centre worker etc. The rate of lower class status rocketed since recession. (Hyde et al, 2007:65-66) Describe the system of stratification found in Ireland. How is it broken down? (include tables and diagrams here if relevant) During the Celtic Tiger it was perceived that Ireland as a whole was very wealthy and many people were classed as Wealthy or ‘upper class’. However since the recession hit the social status regarding the wealth of the country has deteriorated. Today, a larger number of the population are working or middle class. The growing unemployment rate has forced many people, including well educated individuals to rely on state benefits. This has been a huge factor in the rapid decrease in the social status of the country. Social mobility in Ireland appears to be going in the wrong direction. Not only is the social stratification in Ireland defined by its economic status, but also by a number of other factors; for example; a person’s religion. In the past the influence the Catholic Church had on people determined the way they lived there life. Catholic priests were understood to be very well respected figures in society and anyone of the catholic religion were accepted as part of the community however individuals of a different faith were viewed as outsiders. Nowadays a person’s faith does not have as big an influence on their social status and many people from different religious backgrounds are accepted in Irish communities. Does class/socio- economic position, impact on your health? Please provide evidence, statistics to There are differences among people in the amount of access they have to the resources of wealth and prestige in most societies. Such differences among people in terms of income and status are usually referred to as social class differences. The categories that people have been assigned to by virtue of their occupation have been marred with patterns of illness in society. The lower your place in the social class scale, the worse is likely to be your health status and visa-versa (Hyde et al, 2007). Although race, gender, age etc have influenced socio-economic status, classification by occupation tends to be more common; hence in Ireland, a person’s social class is measured according to his or her occupation while social class of children is determined by parents’ occupation (Denote and Cannon, 2003). According to Denote and Cannon, there are huge inequalities between the classes in the distribution of wealth in the country. It is estimated that 10 per cent of the population own nearly half the wealth in the country, therefore 90 per cent of the population share the other half, but not equally. Ibid:71 in McDonald B, 2009) Health inequalities are often observed along a social rise. This means that the more favorable your social circumstances such as income or education, the better your chance of enjoying good health and a longer life. Whil e there is a significant gap between the wealthy and the poor, the relationship between social circumstances in health is in fact a graded one. Source of data ‘Inequalities in Mortality 1989-1998’ A series of studies by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (PIP) found that the number of people living with a chronic condition is expected to increase dramatically by 2020 and that disproportionately more of these people will belong to the older population. How to cite Young People in Society, Essays

Otherness free essay sample

The Other is â€Å"perceived as lacking essential characteristics possessed by the group, the Other is almost always seen as lesser or inferior being and is treated accordingly† (The Other, 2009). A group sets guidelines and if a person does not meet them they will not be accepted as â€Å"normal†. Otherness to a group represents awkwardness. Although each person does have its own unique characteristics to prevent from being labeled as the Other you must possess common characteristics within a group. I read â€Å"This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona† written by Sherman Alexie. It is about a boy named Victor who lives on an Indian Reservation and his dad has just died in Arizona. He wants to go to Arizona and bring back his dad. In this same reservation lives a boy named Thomas Build-theFire, which in this text is the Other. Victor cashes one hundred dollar at the Trading Post where he with curiosity approaches Thomas. We will write a custom essay sample on Otherness or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He wanted to see if Thomas knew of his father’s death. Sure enough Thomas says to Victor, â€Å"I heard it on the wind. I heard it from he birds. I felt it in the sunlight† (Alexie,1994). While Victor was listening he felt embarrassed. â€Å"All other Indians stared, surprised that Victor was even talking to Thomas† (Alexie,1994). Nobody talked to Thomas because he told the same dam stories over and over again† (Alexie,1994). His story telling was why he was the Other. This was not a â€Å"normal† characteristic. Thomas joined Victor in his journey to Arizona to pick up the remains of his deceased father. During this journey Thomas reveals to Victor of a dream he had of his father. Thomas tells him how he was saved from the danger of Spokane. He then continues to say, â€Å"Take care of each other is what my dreams were saying† (Alexie,1994). In this text Otherness is represented my making it a point to take care of each other no matter our differences. In many instances, Thomas protects Victor. The author’s perspective in this story is that a person who has been labeled as an Other lives their own life without paying attention to others rejection. Even though Thomas helped Victor in many ways Thomas is aware they cannot be friends after coming back from Arizona. After their journey Thomas does not expect anything in return. Thomas tells Victor, I know you aint going to treat me any better than you did before† (Alexie,1994). â€Å"I know your friends would give you too much shit about it† (Alexie,1994). It is also apparent that the author realizes it is not nice to treat people as Others but we still do. Even though Victor seems to appreciate all the things Thomas has done for him it is not easy to accept him as a friend. How would I deal with otherness? Each year teacher’s get a new set of students these students all bring diversity into the classroom. Unfortunately, not all diversity is welcomed. As a teacher I will make it a priority to notice, identify and assist a student who is experiencing otherness. I will need to pay attention to my students individually. This will enable me to notice any inferiority if any amongst them. One thing I can absorb is their eye contact. If they tend to turn away or always have their head down I know I have identified one who is experiencing otherness. I cannot assume they are experiencing otherness. It is my responsibility to make my students feel comfortable. This will make a line of communication between them and me. When I am positive a student is experiencing otherness then I will go into action. First of all, I believe students need to be educated. Each one of them should be aware that someone might or could experience Otherness and it is not acceptable. Talking to my students and encouraging them to tell me what it would be like to experience Otherness could make them aware that no one should be rejected in any way. To assist those experiencing otherness I will always engage my students to learn in groups. This will enable them to feel comfortable with each other and become friends. I will choose their partners and make sure my student experiencing Otherness gets a passionate, friendly, and helpful student. I will always monitor their actions and discussions. This will help me assist any unacceptable behavior toward that student experiencing otherness. I will take advantage of any teacher parent conference to speak to the parents about why they think their child is experiencing otherness. They might be able to help me understand and come up with a way I could assist him or her. The best practice to prevent and assist otherness in my classroom is to make my students feel comfortable and always have an open line of communication.

Staff development and careers

Introduction People, processes and procedures make up an organization. The most important of all are the people. They are in a central position ensuring that everything else is running smoothly and in the desired direction. A system to ensure growth and development of employees is necessary to facilitate easy achievement of goals and objectives (HR Magazine, 2010).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Staff development and careers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The ability of an entity to develop employees makes a drastic step towards future sustainability in all that appertains to its operations. The following discussion has covered the scope of employees’ development as well as the careers aspect. Organization can successfully impart a positive attitude to their employees through an effective and efficient personnel development. Staff development This refers to the ways of facilitating advanced skills of t he employees and the whole undertakings that appertain to their competency. It is the work of the Human Resources Department to ensure staffs are experiencing growth. However, the development of staff should be aligned with the objectives of the company and entailed in its overall vision. The HR department should cooperate with other departments in order to establish the areas that need to be improved. Then programs should be introduced in addition to other modalities, to determine to what extent the workers will benefit from them (HR Magazine, 2010). The nature of staff development Staff development is aimed at boosting the skills of workers, their knowledge and insights. The idea of employees’ competitiveness is at the back of the HR department members. Although staff development is an on going process, the aspect of time is considered. It is expected that, after a certain period, all or some group of employees will have risen to a certain level in their careers, in their r espective department. Staff training is an integral part in developing employees’ career. The organization expects to get a measurable change relating to company’s returns. Holding discussions and seminars are an excellent way to develop staff in essence that honesty and transparency are key to any meaningful development. The HR department should be able to evaluate employees performance prior to and after change in the job description if at all there is any (HR Magazine, 2010).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Career and staff development Career development goes hand in hand with staff development. It is the only through developing employees skills and expertise that career progression will be attained. The driving force leads to increased volume of output due to improved performance. Counseling is also part of staff development. To achieve the desired growth, plan of action is needed in checking and counter checking on workers progress (HR Magazine, 2010). Another way of motivating and developing employees is by starting rewards scheme. Rewarding them promotes their confidence and strengthens the mental toughness required to handle higher and challenging responsibilities they may face later. The various choices that people engage themselves in life are the ones that shape their professional lives in the various organizations that we later work in. Career progression involves moving from one easy role to another tougher one. Some careers are attracting extraordinarily large amount of money and others are voluntary in nature. Therefore, the management of an organization that carries out voluntary activities must possess different development mechanisms from those used by other enterprises. One such method of developing employees may entails encouraging more employees’ participation in their assigned duties. Career development is a unique process and is strongly linked to staff, since they are the ones that experience the improvement (HR Magazine, 2010). Obstacles to staff development Poor leadership is one the significant factors that affect staff development. Management that lacks knowledge of the internal and external factors surrounding an organization tends to clash with employees. Failure on their side to plan and define jobs leads to employees’ crisis. The existing system of management can also influence in that where there is a lot of bureaucracy, decision-making will is delayed (HR Magazine, 2010). Unhealthy organizational culture can also contribute to the same, especially where training is not emphasized. Employees may become skeptical and become interested in whatever changes going on in the organization.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Staff development and careers specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Obstacles to career d evelopment One of the Obstacles lies in the management. It can play a vital role in hindering employees from progressing. Nepotism and corruption are the other key factors. An organization may not able to expand easily due to lack of the necessary capital or due to small operations because of its size. For instance, a multinational company can offer opportunities for growth since the economies of scale allows it to do so. It can cut prices and gain more profits in its transactions. Other internal factors include; employees’ fear failure of not being appreciated, non-matching career and lack of training (HR Magazine, 2010). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is evident that leadership plays a decisive role whether in a small group or a multinational corporation. A leader is capable of driving the changes and steering an entity to greater heights given that he is willing. It is not a matter of whether the employees are up to a certain idea or not but the power of cohesion and the ability to put the goals of the organization is what matters. Employees will never agree unanimously. Some will come with objections and opinions that nevertheless, should never be discarded as less important, but rather should be thought over. By so doing, staff development can be achieved fast. Reference HR Magazine, 2010, Invest in staff development now to retain the talent needed  for recovery. Enterprise HR and Financials in the cloud. [Online] Available at:  http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/invest-in-staff-development-now-to-retain-the-talent-needed-for-recovery . This report on Staff development and careers was written and submitted by user Emersyn M. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Best Medical Schools in the US 2018 - Extended Review †Pro-Academic-Writers.com

Best Medical Schools in the US 2018 - Extended Review Medical education is among the most popular and prestigious areas in the United States. Medical professions are in the top rankings of the most paid specialties; training takes a long time and requires serious preliminary efforts and large investments. The standards of American medicine are recognized around the world. No surprise that many people in the USA dream to become a medical worker and become a part of the US medical sector. Do you want to engage in medicine; aim at graduating from the best medical schools? Click to read a review of the best medical schools in the US 2018, Chapel Hill and Ann Arbor, and all the nuances of studying in the United States. Harvard Medical School Average cost of the year of study: $ 55'850 It is among the best medical schools in the US 2018; over 19% of all medical workers in the country study here. It is known to produce qualified specialists that are in demand on the market. Being one of the most famed medical schools in the state, Harvard has quite tough entry requirements. The MCAT result should be no lower than 37 out of 45 points; GPA score should be about 3.93 out of 4 points, no less. Stanford University School of Medicine Average cost of the year of study: $ 52'491 Stanford Medical School is the 2nd largest school in the nation. It has over 460 students, which is less than 12% of all medical workers in the country. The university is known for a solid knowledge base provided to those studying and proficient faculty. Entry requirements in Stanford University School of Medicine are high. One should have MCAT score no lower than 37 and a GPA grade of about 3.85. No surprise that far from everyone enrolls at a school. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Average cost of the year of study: $ 48'750 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is another top place for people acquiring education in the north of the country. Over 480 students graduate from the Hopkins School of Medicine yearly, which is over 13% in the whole country. This number is impressive. The school is one of top-rated due to the education level and conditions provided to the students. Those studying at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine are practicing in one of the country's best hospitals. Entry requirements here are tough. MCAT is 36 and more; GPA is no less than 3.91 points. Medical School of the University of California, San Francisco Average cost of the year of study: $ 44'996 Medical School of the University of California (San Francisco) is another prestigious place for students. It poses less strict requirements to entrants and provides a solid knowledge base to students.   Entry requirements set by the school are the following. The MCAT is not lower than 36, GPA is 3.85 and higher. Over 650 students enter the medical school of the University of California, which is about 15% of all medical staff in the United States. This high amount can be explained by a well-weighted balance between the education quality and fee. Perelman Medical School Average cost of the year of study: $ 52'210 The Perelman school is a separate part of the University of Pennsylvania. Approximately 653 students yearly graduate from Perelman Medical School. It is about 19% of all medical workers in the US. The entrant must provide MCAT results no lower than 38 and GPA of around 3.88 to enter the school. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Average cost of the year of study: $ 25'000 IUPUI was formed due to the merge of two leading Indiana universities and today trains over 30,000 students. A distinctive feature of the university is an extensive number of educational programs, which are offered on the basis of seventeen schools, and extensive scholarship opportunities. Among the taught disciplines are the School of Health, the School of Dentistry, and Rehabilitation, the School of Medicine, and the Nursing School. IUPUI is in the rating of the best universities with the best teaching at the bachelor's level. The university's programs in nursing are in the Top 25 US courses in this area. On the basis of the university schools, you can get specialization in almost any medical discipline, whether Anesthesia, Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Psychiatry, Urology, Gynecology, Surgery and much more. Students get full access to practical studies as well as research activities. In total, IUPUI attracts more than $ 336 million of investment for research, grants, and awards. Saint Louis University, Washington Average cost of the year of study: $ 20'000 St. Louis University (Washington) is a medium-sized school that trains 13,000 people. It has two campuses, in the US Missouri and Spanish Madrid. For almost 200 years, this university offers students a large selection of training courses, comprehensive support, and accommodation in an equipped campus. The University includes the Educational Dental Center, the Center for Ethics and Health, the College of Medical Sciences, the School of Medicine, and the Nursing School. Here, you can study Endocrinology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Surgery, Plastic Surgery,   Neurology, and much more. In the course of training, it is necessary to undergo clinical practice and engage in research. University of Utah Average cost of the year of study is $ 22'500 The University of Utah is a major university in Salt Lake City that trains around 30,000 people. The school belongs to the most famous universities of the world and is famous for its quality teaching, various scholarship programs, organization of active leisure for students, and placement of students in a modern campus. The university's medical school educated most practicing doctors of Utah, and its graduates work throughout America and around the world. The school offers a variety of programs in different fields of medicine and health. It conducts research in genetics, cancer treatment, biomedicine, and modern technical medical developments. Popular specializations include Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Oncology, Pediatrics, Biochemistry, Dermatology, etc. The school boasts a College of Health and a Nursing College, on the basis of which you can get professional qualifications. How Long Is Medical School Education? Wondering how long is medical school in the USA? Acquiring medical education in the country takes about eleven-sixteen years. One has to study in an undergraduate school for four years; the next four years are in a direct school, and about eight years are to acquire the secondary specialization in a particular field. It is important to obtain all the necessary licenses and undergo constant professional development to comply with all legal regulations and news in the country. The process of obtaining a doctor's qualification in the US is as follows: Baccalaureate with a bias in biology and chemistry – 4 years. The preparatory program (pre-med) is an optional step. Passing the MCAT exam. Medical school (English Medical school) – 4 years (theoretical training - 2 years and clinical practice - 2 years). Residency – from 3 to 8 years (specialization matters). The shortest programs are for family medicine; the longest ones are for neurosurgery. Residency for general surgery takes 5 years. Specialized practice – takes 1-2 years and often includes elements of research work. The student has time to practice together with training in residency. It is an indispensable condition for a number of medical specialties. Professional certification, which includes exams for the chosen specialization. Best Medical Schools – Entering Requirements In the higher medical school, the US student spends four years. First 24 months pass in the school classrooms and are exclusively theatrical. Apart from the theoretical part, students are supposed to be involved in practical classes on Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Medical Care, etc. Clinical practice is scheduled to begin in the third year of training. The fourth year takes place in the hospital in one of the departments of Surgery, Therapy, Pediatrics, etc. Duration of residency differs depending on the specialty. By the end of the training, the graduate receives general education in the specialties Surgery, Therapy, Gynecology, etc. First Aid – 3-4 years Family practice – 3 years Pediatrics – 3 years Gynecology – 4 years Psychiatry – 4 years General surgery – 5 years Specialized surgery, plastic surgery – 5-6 years (depending on specialization) Urology – 5 years At the end of the residency, each student has the opportunity to take an exam in the specialty data (Board certification). The successful passing of such an examination provides one with certification by the American Association of Physicians in the chosen specialty. It is not necessary to take this exam; almost everyone is handed over to it. The availability of the certificate increases the prestige and helps in the further employment. Least Competitive Medical Schools On admission, those residing in the state are in preference; after graduation, they will be able to work on site. They even get a â€Å"place† in a hospital reserved for them. The high score got in high school and during the study in baccalaureate is important. The general requirements of best medical schools for applicants are as follows: Bachelor's degree with compulsory study of biology and chemistry. Some schools require the availability of hours for English, mathematics, and natural sciences. Good MCAT results – a mandatory test for admission to  medical schools in the United States. If necessary, the results of other standard tests are required. English language knowledge test results – TOEFL, IELTS, or any other. The entrant should carefully read the requirements of the school and other relevant information, which may differ from the standards. Some additional tests, examinations, and interviews may be required. In our report below, check the best medical schools and their entering requirements; find the least competitive medical schools here. College MCAT GPA TOEFL IELTS Harvard University 518 3.92 103 7.5 Johns Hopkins University 519 3.92 110 7.0 Stanford University 518 3.89 100 7.0 University of California, San Francisco 508 3.79 100 7.5 The Cornell University (Weill) 519 3.87 100 7.0 University of Virginia 519 3.9 100 7.0 The school admission committee evaluates such parameters as communication skills, computer literacy, and experience of volunteer work related to helping people or animals. References from school teachers are included in the standard set of documents for admission. Final Say! Medical school education in the USA is known for its high quality, and the standards of American medicine are well-known around the world. Those who have American diploma can successfully find employment not only in the US but in other countries. To enter American universities, it is not needed to pass the entrance exams. The selection of students is based on the results of tests, previous assessments, motivation letters, and other application documents. When submitting documents, it is necessary to take into account that education in the USA is exclusively paid. It is necessary to be very selective when choosing a school. Choose one of the best medical schools in the US 2018 right now!

International Transport Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

International Transport Law - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that for anyone who is not familiar with the particularities of international transport law, it may appear strange that it is important to distinguish between the varied modes of transport and establishing laws or regulations. Â  In fact, the peculiarity presented by the contract of carriage is slightly overshadowed by specific legal regimes applicable only to some modes of transport. Similarly, the mandatory rules or regulations of liability have been restricted to matters relating to the carriage such as liability for damage or loss of the goods. It also concerns liability for delay in delivery of goods leaving out issues and matters of greater importance for the end users, such as shipment delay, the failure to perform contractual obligations as well as the right of remuneration for carriers. Conventionally, particular legal regimes, relevant to varied modes of transport, have resulted in some problems in the transport sector. While at the beginning clients would be contented to conclude a particular contract of carriage by ship, air, road, or rail, it is currently owing to the advancement of international carriage of goods, often inappropriate, whether one mode or usage of different modes to move the goods from point to another is used. Therefore, a client may be contented to conclude an agreement where there is an unspecified mode of transport. In this case, it has to be considered whether the contract will have to be carriage sui generis or international convention will have to apply.

The Financial Crisis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Financial Crisis - Essay Example Bankers blame the public for their exuberant enthusiasm that created the fragile real estate bubble that was destined to burst. The people blamed the Congress for their inaction, while Democrats blamed Republicans and Republicans blamed the Democrats. No matter where the weakness in the system was, it was the government's failure to act in a prudent and timely fashion to stem the rising tide of waste, abuse, and corruption. At the core of the economic problems that are facing the US today is the weakness caused by an escalating national debt and the political reality of a public that has a growing concern over their scarce tax dollars. Had the government implemented a balanced budget in the recent years, or if money had been wisely invested to create jobs in the economy, taxpayers and conservatives might be more willing to manage a multi-billion dollar loan to the auto industry. However, a failed policy in Iraq has left the people with a bill that could top $3 trillion in the near future (Bilmes and Stiglitz B06). This is money that can't be used for building infrastructure or investing in much needed education. The government has failed by squandering trillions of dollars on what amounts to a handful of magic beans. The government further allowed the economic system to go into decline by failing to adequately regulate the banking and insurance systems that had become rife with abuse and

Parental Substance Abuse And Safeguarding Children Social Work Essay

Parental Substance Abuse And Safeguarding Children Social Work Essay Substance misuse causes considerable harm and is presently an immense global issue of public concern. It is a wide-ranging problem, damaging individuals, families and entire communities. In general, substance misuse is not only growing considerably within the United Kingdom, but also worldwide. Simultaneously, the number of children involved in the vicious circle of drug taking and problem drinking by their parents is also increasing. Although governments, policy makers and practitioners are recognizing the problem and taking steps towards tackling the effects of substance abuse within families; the issue in general seems far from being solved. Alcohol is legally available and easily accessible throughout England. It is positively associated with socialising, relaxing and celebrating. Although problems linked to excessive alcohol consumption are widespread and well established, it seems that alcohol misuse is somehow more socially accepted and does not have the same stigma as using drugs. Consequently, the issue of alcohol abuse, especially in families with children, often remains undiscovered, and the negative impact and effects of the excessive drinking behaviour of parents on children remain under-recognized and neglected. Estimates by the Prime Ministers Strategy Unit (2004) are that between 780,000 and 1,3 million children in England are (in)directly affected by an alcohol problem of at least one parent in other words: 1 in 11 children live in a household where alcohol misuse is present. While alcohol and the negative consequences associated with its uncontrolled use have been around and well documented for centuries, the drug industry has only been developing and growing rapidly over the last few years. Concordant with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (2003) up to 300,000 children or 3% of all children under 16 currently belong to a family where one or two of their parents struggle with a dangerous drug issue. Parental substance misuse is also not unheard of in social services caseloads with one quarter to one third of families known to social services as being involved with misusing drugs or alcohol (Cleaver et al., 1999; Kearney et al., 2003). Many of these children do at least temporarily not live with their addicted parents. Putting these figures together, more than 10% of all children in England are exposed to suffer under the effects of their parental drug or alcohol misuse and it is extremely likely that these numbers will continue to grow over the following years. It seems also reasonable to believe that the official figures of affected children may be under-estimating the true scale of the problem as it is extremely difficult to calculate how many families have to cope with some form or the other of substance abuse (Templeton, 2006). First, not all drug and alcohol services take proper care to establish whether or not their clients are also parents and second, not all clients are willing to provide information about the existence of own children. Third, some institutions do not disclose figures, collect data properly or tend to under-report; and fourth, nobody knows how many substance misuser are not seeking treatment and, therefore do not appear on any official statistics (Keen et al., 2001; ACMD, 2003). Consequently, missing data and a clear underestimate of the total number of affected children by parental substance misuse seem obvious. Substance abuse can include negative physical (such as health risks and neglect), psychological (such as attachment disorders and depression) as well as social (such as poverty and crime) influences on both parents and their children (Kroll et al., 2000). Parental alcohol and drug abuse can affect childrens health and development in the long term from as early as conception and often into adulthood, leading to varying forms of strong, adverse and complex consequences (Turning Point, 2006). Additionally, all conceivable types of child maltreatment have repeatedly been associated and clarified in various studies with parental substance abuse including negligence (as the most common type of abuse), sexual, emotional and physical abuse (Cleaver et al., 1999; Alison, 2000; Forrester et al., 2006). The impact of alcohol and/or drugs may also significantly affect the parents capacity of adequate parenting (Alison, 2000). The negative impact of a dependency on the substance misuser himself can lead to chaotic lifestyles, complicating and preventing parents to support and care for their own children, meeting their basic needs and providing a safe and encouraging home environment (Keen et al., 2001; Home Office, 2008). With the knowledge that parental misuse of certain substances can have a seriously negative impact on childrens physical, psychological and emotional health and development, it is essential that these children potentially at risk are identified as early as possible in order to arrange for appropriate protection and safeguard their welfare (Nottingham City, 2004). This is the responsibility of all professionals in different ranges of services; they all must be able to identify and treat substance misuse related problems by adults, and also focus on the problems of affected children (Keen and Alison, 2001). Therefore, increasingly more research is being done, policy initiatives started and family-supporting services and projects have developed rapidly (Templeton et al., 2006). Although considerable progress has been made in recognizing and tackling the problem of substance abuse and the issue has won much public awareness in the last years, sadly, the death of children through the hand s of their parents recalls that the system still fails to safeguard children at risk. Professionals face a variety of often complex issues and struggle with working unimpeded. The most common problems are a lack of understanding, gaining access to the substance misuser and their children, resilience, dilemmas about confidentiality and information sharing, inter-agency tensions, assessment, lack of training and the ability to focus on both, adults and childrens needs (Kroll and Taylor, 2000; Taylor and Kroll, 2004). Without a doubt, changes and new approaches are needed, and through joint assessment, better information sharing and inter-agency cooperation, the focus should be on effective intervention and treatment for the substance misuser as well as of the so far often invisible and neglected children (Kroll and Talyor, 2000; Head of Safeguarding Children, 2008). The first section of this essay describes effects and causes associated with parental substance abuse. It highlights the impact of drug and alcohol misuse on the foetus during pregnancy and later on the child from newborn to adulthood, as well as resilience and protective factors for affected children. Part two focuses on professionals: their responsibilities regarding childrens safeguarding and the challenges they face when confronted with substance misuse. The third section covers the legal framework of safeguarding children and other related political measures. The fourth section examines the progress made so far by looking at different projects, interventions implemented and recent developments. In contrast, section five gives an insight into reality, pointing out some of the most obvious problems and recent incidents. It touches thoroughly discussed issues such as information sharing, inter-agency cooperation and training. The last section considers aims and goals, their impleme ntation and suggests recommendations for a more effective strategy in the future. Throughout this article substance misuse/abuse refers to the use either dependant use or associated with adverse effects of prescribed (such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, pain-killers, depressants) and illicit (such as opioids, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis) drugs as well as alcohol (Newcastle Child Protection, 2002) with critical social, interpersonal, financial, physical and psychological negative effects for both the users and those around them (ACMD, 2003). 78 SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND EFFECTS ON PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN There is reasonable basis in research to suggest that a child whose parent is misusing substances is at increased risk. Substance misuse can demand a significant proportion of a parents time, money and energy, which will unavoidably reduce resources available to the child. Substance misuse may also put the child at an increased risk of neglect and emotional, physical or sexual abuse, either by the parent or because the child becomes more vulnerable to abuse by others (Lewis, 1997) Parental substance abuse does not necessarily mean that children are at risk of harm or in need or receive poor parenting in some cases they would not even be affected in a negative way (Newcastle Child Protection, 2002). However, only a few children will not have to deal with multiple, mounting and varying negative consequences and survive such a complex issue entirely unscathed. While a concrete pattern of effects can never be clearly determined due to the complexity of the issue, many of the children may be permanently affected in an adverse manner, either emotionally, physically, socially, intellectually or developmentally (ACPC, 2004). Problems include a variety of health and developmental issues, ineffective parenting, criminal activity, poverty, chaotic lifestyles and educational attainment, and have long been underestimated and an abandoned research field (Keen and Alison, 2001; HM Government, 2008). The Children Act (1989, s17 (10)) defines a child in need as unlikely to achieve or maintain, or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision for him of services by a local authority; his health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired, without the provision for him of such services; or he is disabled. In this context harm means ill-treatment (sexual abuse and forms of ill-treatment which are not physical) or impairment of health (physical or mental health) or development (physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development) (The Children Act 1989, s31 (9)). Among hundreds of other prescribable substances, alcohol and opiates should be reduced or avoided at all during pregnancy. Although it is not possible to evaluate all the effects of drugs and alcohol to a full extend on a fetus, it is known that it can be damaging at any time during pregnancy (from conception onwards up to birth, with the first 3 months being particularly vulnerable), causing a variety of health and development problems. Babies whose mothers were dependant on opiates or alcohol during their pregnancy are more likely to be smaller, of lower birth weight, premature and at higher risk of the sudden infant death (ACMD, 2003). Additionally the addicted mothers affected health and her possibly poor nutrition (high levels of sugar, not enough calcium, proteins, fruits and vegetables) often have an additional negative impact on the fetus physical and psychical development and the babys health. If an unborn is exposed to maternal alcohol abuse, this cannot only lead to the familiar serious impairments related to substance abuse mentioned before, but also to a remarkably common developmental problem known as Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome includes a series of potential effects on children such as learning disabilities, heart defects, lower body weight, decreased height, facial deformities, vision and hearing difficulties, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity), conduct disorder and inappropriate behaviour (Dore et al., 1995). Expecting women sharing injection equipment or working as prostitutes to finance their drug use, live with the constant threat of being infected with HIV or hepatitis B; for children born to drug dependent mothers who are infected with HIV, hepatitis C or hepatitis B, there is also a remarkably elevated risk to be also infected during pregnancy, birth or while being breastfed (ACMD, 2003). Heavy and prolonged maternal substance abuse, both opiates and alcohol, will very likely expose the child to the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, which is a term for a range of problems a newborn may encounter when withdrawing from exposure to narcotics. Typical symptoms include high-pitched and excessively long periods of crying, shivering, sneezing, sweating and temperature, vomiting and diarrhea, feeding difficulties, disturbed sleeping patterns, convulsions,, irritability and hyperactivity, high sensitivity to touch, wild sucking, rapid breathing and cardiac action (Marcory and Harbin, 2000). Despite the chance that appropriate antenatal care from the beginning would increase the possibility of a healthy and normal pregnancy and satisfactory development of the fetus, mothers involved with substance dependence often do not seek antenatal care, particularly due to their fear of being stigmatized. (Newcastle Child Protection, 2002). As a baby grows older, the likelihood of experiencing some negative consequences due to its parents substance abuse is not diminished in any way and the impact will vary considerably, depending on several factors such as the childs age and stage of development. The establishment of a decent, confident and secure relationship to at least one caregiver in the early months has widely been recognized as the foundation of a childs normal development. However, children of substance misusing parents often experience parental unavailability, inconsistent care and conflictual relationships (ACMD, 2003). A habit often lets a parent focus more on acquiring and using his drugs or alcohol rather than its childrens needs. Intoxication and coping with withdrawals symptoms lead to limited time, attention and emotional unavailability (Kroll and Taylor, 2000). Further, children of drug and alcohol abusers often have to experience an enforced temporary or permanent separation or loss of a parent due to abandonment, hospitalization, imprisonment, treatment, removal or other emergencies (ACMD, 2003). All these points contribute to life-long complicated and insecure attachment. The above-specified problems commonly also affect the nature and quality of parenting, which in turn often naturally results in further difficulties in a childs development (ACMD, 2003). Research proves that many substance abusing parents lack exemplary models for parenting as they have received poor parenting and maltreatment themselves (Keen and Alison, 2001). As dependence on a substance becomes central, parents are more likely to neglect their children which bears various risks and dangers them, regardless of their age group. Children may be inadequately supervised or left alone at home, exposed to preventable accidents and/or injuries (Kroll and Taylor, 2000). But not only children are at risk of accidents, also drugged or drunken adults are exposed to a higher level of self-induced incidents such as falls, forgetting food on the hob or falling asleep with still glowing cigarettes. Parents with an addiction repeatedly also tend to be unable to fulfill their childrens own basic needs so daily hygiene, a balanced diet and general health may suffer as well as stability, routines (such as bedtimes, getting up and out for school) and boundaries (Alison, 2000). Further health risks may be provoked not taking childrens routine health appointments or problems seriously enough or careless disposal and therefore easy access to drugs, bottles, syringes and needles (Kroll and Taylor, 2000; Alison, 2000). There is also notable danger for children that have observed their parents using substances, copying them (ACMD, 2003). Girl, 2, dies drinking her mothers methadone (2002) Boy, 2, died after taking parents methadone (2006) Boy, 14, dies after drinking methadone at his aunts flat (2008) Another consequence of parental unavailability is that children are often left alone with daily adult/parental responsibilities such as caring for their younger siblings, meeting their parents needs, managing finances and household chores (Kroll, 2004). Such additional and inadequate responsibilities may in turn result in the loss of social opportunities and poor academic performance of child- some research gives evidence that children miss school (regularly) by being kept at home due to caring responsibilities and left with little time to socialize. Social isolation becomes more severe as the child grows older and starts to be careful about exposing family life to outsiders and lives in a circle of denial and secrecy due to shame and fear (ACMD, 2003). Misusing drugs or alcohol does not only contribute to negligence but often goes hand and hand with other forms of child abuse and violence at home. The possibility of abuse and child maltreatment is enforced by the likelihood that children may be exposed to a number of possible dangerous strangers or inappropriate carers within their own home (Newcastle Child Protection, 2002). Research also reveals a lower tolerance level and moderate loss of temper associated with substance abuse, causing aggressive behaviour and resulting in violence to appear frequently (Kroll, 2004). Emotional neglect and abuse is also an issue within a parental substance misusing environment. Children often either feel rejected and unloved by their parents as they concentrate and spend considerably more time on their destructive habit than with them, or embarrassed and often also guilty (Kroll, 2004). Maintaining an addiction is a financial burden, not only making it difficult to complete household costs, but also regularly leading to criminal activity to buy drugs or alcohol. Children of addicted parents are also more likely to be exposed to early criminal conduct and/or its consequences not infrequently because they have been with a parent while they had been committing a crime (ACMD, 2003). Although parents try and tend to hide their habit from their children, children sooner or later discover it and typically have to deal with it by themselves which usually adds to a variety of already existent behavioural problems due to the mentioned consequences of parental substance abuse children tend to be more aggressive, feel upset or anxious and show anti-social behaviour (ACMD, 2003). Negative parental examples and role models such as drug taking, alcohol abuse, crime, poor living conditions and inappropriate behaviour inevitably can lead a child to view their parents actions as being normal and approved so that substance abuse and outrageous conduct by themselves becomes more likely as they enter into their teens and adulthood (ACMD, 2003). Research into child resilience has shown that key protective factors can have an enormous impact on preventing children from being damaged by parental substance misuse. The field of factors includes having a parent not misusing substances, a strong bond with a caring adult and support from extended family (Templeton and Velleman, 2007). Further to mention are a violence-free home, sufficient financial resources and an upstanding support system as well as educational success and involvement in different activities (19?). Working towards personal goals and dreams, taking education or career opportunities or even leaving the parental home are also common strategies to deal with experiencing substance abuse at home (Templeton and Velleman, 2007). Parents generally are aware of the negative consequences and influence on their children, and they often experience a range of impacts as a result of their weakness which moreover will have follow-on affects for their children, for example in their parenting capacity. Many of them have experienced difficult childhoods and were poorly parented themselves in this cases drugs or alcohol are often used to deal with a range of traumas and tension associated (Alison, 2000). PROFESSIONALS It is the reliability and function of all genres of professionals and agencies including general practitioners, health visitors, doctors, midwifes, pediatricians, mental health services, family support services, treatment institutions, social services, police, educational settings and voluntary sectors to safeguard and protect children. Safeguarding is equal to keep children safe from harm and abuse both deliberate abuse as well as accidents, bullying and crime and to promote their well-being and development in a healthy and safe environment (HM Government, 2006). Everyone having contact with children must be aware that it is not acceptable to remain sidelined if a child is in need or risk of harm (Lord Laming, 2003). However, it is noteworthy that each professional recognizes and accepts the limitations of his own roles and values the essential share of others (Keen and Alison, 2001) otherwise everyones duty and the mission to put a childs welfare first soon gets lost and remai ns no ones responsibility (Inter-Agency Guidelines, (2008). Challenges When encountering parental substance abuse, all professionals face a series of dilemmas, conflicts and tensions in their work with children and adults. They often simply feel unprepared and lack the expertise, skills and training to focus and work effectively with adults and children to the same purpose, and even if they do have the proper training, professionals often just do not see their role in engaging with children or substance misusing parents (Templeton and Velleman, 2007). Professionals interviewed by Taylor and Kroll (2004) stated one after another that they lack training which covers child safeguarding and protection processes and feel inexperienced to work with children of drug and alcohol users, children in need or risk of harm. Additionally, there seems to be a common confusion among different agencies regarding their individual roles and therefore allocation of clear responsibilities. A large part of these issues lay in the individual and independent development of sub stance misuse services and child welfare approaches over the last years. While adult treatment services place the substance abusers first and often do not involve existing children, the primary purpose of child protection agencies are solely the children, generally not taking into account parents needs (Colby and Murrell, 1998 in Taylor and Kroll, 2004). But agencies working with children must also take into account the situation and the problems of the respective parents, being aware of the impact parents behaviour have on children. At the same time, services for adults must not ignore existing children, so a great cooperation between agencies and services is needed (Templeton and Velleman, 2007). Professionals and agencies have to deal with parents who may bot be easy to engage with, who may not want to cooperate with them, are reluctant to open up, tell the truth or prepare to change (Nottingham City ACPC, 2004). Therefore it can be a challenge to obtain, establish and maintain t rusting relationships with either the parents or the effected children (Inter-Agency Guidelines, 2008). On the other hand, families with a drug and/or alcohol problem fear a range of consequences and rejection by opening themselves to professionals, which usually keeps them in a twist of silence and secrecy, thus preventing them access to support and help for themselves or their children (Nottingham City ACPC, 2004). Parents are often reluctant to approach services and seek treatment, have problems to confide in others and reveal their drug and/or alcohol problem as they particularly fear that any disclosure could lead to losing their children and that their family might be treated differently, stigmatized or denied by others (Nottingham City ACPC, 2004). Although confidentiality is a key principle for such agencies, no organization can guarantee it and in some cases, professionals have to share information, especially when a childs welfare is at risk (The Stella Project, 2002). SAFEGUARDING AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK As mentioned earlier in this article, agencies, services and professionals in touch with children or/and adults who are parents have a variety of responsibilities to safeguard children, assess their needs and promote their welfare. In the United Kingdom, considerable legislative framework exists for this purpose, with the Children Act 1989 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as the elementary and reforming pieces of child law. In general, the Children Act (1989) focuses on improving childrens lives and demands comprehensive services to all children as well as tailored ones for those with additional needs. It also clarifies that if a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, the authority shall make, or cause to be made, such enquiries as they consider necessary to enable them to decide whether they should take any action to safeguard or promote tha t childs welfare (The Children Act 1989, s47 (1)). The Children Act also provides the legal grounds for the five Every Child Matters (2003) outcomes in law be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, achieve economic well-being. Later the Children Act (2004) implemented a requirement for local authorities and a range of agencies engaging with substance abusing parents to rank first the welfare and safety of their children. Local authorities and agencies are made responsible to determine if a child is in need and/or risk and then to take appropriate steps to protect him from (further) significant harm (ACMD, 2003). Further The Children Act (2004) focuses on co-operation to improve and secure the well-being of children. Early awareness and intervention is critical to reduce the numbers of child protection cases but assessment is an immensely complex process. When assessing the welfare of a child, practitioners must work sensitively and child-centred, analysing the parental substance misuse from the childs position to better understand the impact upon his development and life (Lord Laming, 2003). For a more standardized, coordinated, early and practical way to assess childrens individual needs, the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) was designed and forms part of the Every Child Matters (Lord Lamming, 2003). The Department of Health also provides the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, which is based on a more ecological approach. Further, all local authorities are required to have an Area Child Protection Committee to organize and supervise child protection measures. When determining that a child is at risk of significant harm, child protection procedures should immediately be initiated to ensure that the necessary referral is made to the social services (ACMD, 2003). It is crucial that assessment is ongoing and changes are carefully monitored when a parent is in treatment or free from drugs or alcohol dependence it does not necessarily mean that children do not longer suffer from any adverse consequences (Nottingham City ACPC, 2004). Further, if no concerns regarding the well-being of a child are established, professionals should remain in connection with the family and carefully observe them as harmless situations often quickly change into an unpredictable environment for the child (Newcastle Child Protection, 2002). PROGRESS Over the last years, there has been a wide range of Government initiatives, programmes, strategies and policies aimed at tackling (parental) substance misuse. The Updated Drug Strategy for England 2002, Models of Care for Alcohol Misusers, the Green Paper on Children at Risk, Extended Schools, the Childrens National Service Framework, Sure Start and Early Excellence Centres, mentioned above, are only some examples of key initiatives (ACMD, 2003; The Stella Project, 2002): The Updated Drug Strategy for England in general specifies a variety of actions undertaken by the Government to tackle drug use and restrict the access to Class A (heroin, cocaine) drugs. Further it acknowledges that there is not enough attention given to children of drug dependent adults and thus more focus on helping them as well as addicted mothers is needed. The Models of Care for Alcohol Misusers first effort is to identify, work towards and minimize negative consequences of alcohol abuse on children. In particular, this strategy also addresses abuse and domestic violence as the main associated problems with alcohol dependence. The Green Paper on Children at Risk is a strategy addressing a series of key recommendations of the Laming Report and aiming to implement policies to improve the life chances of children. The concept behind the Extended Schools project, initiated by the Department for Education and Skills, is that schools could create stronger relationships parents and children, motivate their pupils and so raise standards by offering a wider service such as adult education, health services and childcare. The Childrens National Service Framework main goal is to reduce inequalities in health and social services as well as upgrading the overall standard of such services. The scheme specifically concentrates on the needs of children of drug and alcohol abusers. Sure Start provides different services and support of all kind to all families in more disadvantaged areas and in cases of parental substance misuse, the Sure Start team will seek advice, refer to and work closely with the relevant practitioners and agencies. Early Excellence Centres were established to raise childrens welfare and development by working coordinated with other community agencies and offering advice, support, childcare, health services and early learning. With a comprehensive legislative framework already established in the United Kingdom and several initiatives and programmes running, it does not seem especially needed to modify existing legislations or implement new ones or start more projects to protect children effectively. Nevertheless, those already existing must be fully understood and applied by practitioners in all areas, and everyone must clearly understand his responsibilities and those of the others (Lord Lamming, 2003). However, the death of the children Baby P and Victoria Climbià ¨ are tragic examples of the failings in the child protection system. Despite considerable commitment and progress made so far, challenges remain in the protection of children and their safeguarding as well as in the daily reality of practitioners. The issues mainly surround training, adequate levels of staffing, improvement of data systems and information sharing and better coordination and cooperation problematically (Lord Lamming, 2003). REALITY The exact number of minors suffering under parental substance abuse known to social services is not clearly determined. In 1999, Cleaver et al. estimated that around 25 to 60 percent of all children in child protection proceedings were living with a parent having a drug or alcohol problem. A more recent study of 290 child custody cases in four different London boroughs revealed that 34% (100 families) where affected by substance abuse, resulting in more than 50% of all children in care proceedings and over a third of all children on the child protection files being subjects of parental substance abuse (Forrester and Harwin, 2006). Both researchers also found that most affected children were under the age of five years. Information sharing Although the government set clear guidelines on sharing information with the publication of Information sharing: Guidance for practitioners and managers in 2008, breaching confidentiality, information sharing and data protection still remain some o