Children, Young people and family

This essay analyzes the definitions of childhood and key elements of family life. It also explains the development of social construction of childhood and policies and legislations that have influenced changes in social construction of childhood and families. The range of approaches and interventions that support vulnerable children, young people and families are also discussed along with their potential impact and benefit.

Children, Young People and
Family
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Table of contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Children, young people and family are important part of culture and society which helps in
reflecting different cultures (Shonkoff, 2017).
The essay will analyze definitions of childhood to be provided along with key elements
of family life and childhood. Understanding of development of social construction of childhood
will be explained. Knowledge of changes will be seen in lives of children and their families from
historic to present times. Policies and legislations which have influenced changes in social
construction of childhood and families will be explained. Impact of factors on lives of children,
young people and families will be evaluated along with reducing inequalities in health and social
care service provision. Range of approaches and interventions will be described which will
support vulnerable children, young people and families. Along with this, effectiveness in
reducing inequalities will also be described. Potential impact and benefit for children, young
people and families will also be explained.
MAIN BODY
Definitions of childhood
Childhood is defined by the period or state of being a child and it can be defined in different
ways from different perspective. From the perspectives of law child is a human being which is
under the age of 18. From the biological definition child is a human from the birth until the age
of puberty. From the perspective of social policy, child is an individual who is vulnerable and
needs protection (Kamal, 2017). These are the three aspects which help in comparing the
definitions of child. Childhood is the stage which helps in knowing the different stages through
which the child grows. There are different life stages where the child grows till death. Along
with this, there are various socio – economic aspects, different families and cultures in which the
children are brought up.
Key Elements of Family Life and Childhood
Socially construction of childhood is the understanding that childhood is not a natural
process rather the society decides whether the child is an adult or child is a child. Family is
ongoing changing concept which in UK. There are various factors which influences the needs
and experiences of children. It is the responsibility of family to take care of the child. The idea of
family is changing on a continuous basis. Mothers in the family go to work. Families in UK are
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changing their pattern of living as mothers are going to work, there are more number of single
parents and they have build their family by keeping their child by being parents without
marriage. The aspect of divorce is also being there which is convenient for the couple or the
parents and they raise their children single handily (Barassi, 2017).
Different families follow different concept of living in UK and this is seen through the
scale of how the families are changing their patterns of living life in significant and positive
manner. There are three factors which vary accordingly and through that it is being analyzed that
how sociological, religion and cultural factors bind by the beliefs and systems that are practiced
effectively and efficiently. Family diversity in UK is explained into various categories which are
adopted child, grandparents, single parents, father and children, same sex couple, mother etc.
With the help of these categories it is evaluated and analyzed that they play major role in taking
care of the children which helps in understanding how the children are grown and how they
behave at a certain age (Moore and et.al., 2017). Thus, this is the major thing which is being
developed and observed through these factors as how UK as a country is taking the initiative of
taking care of the children on positive aspects and how this helping the children and their
families while they live with the society and follow all the norms and culture on large scale.
Thus, the support of the families to the children helps them to live in the society and this beholds
them to the very scale of knowing what the importance of living in the society is by following all
the rules and regulations on large scale. Thus, the children are to be taken care of while all other
aspects are concerned with the family which helps in indicating the effectiveness of living life
peacefully.
Development of Social Construction of Childhood from historical times to current times
The lives of children in Europe and UK have changed. John Locke said that through
education child helps in learning the socialization for the perspective of child development skills
and behaviour. Locke provides the idea that children are not bad or good. They reflect what they
learn from the environment on expanded scale (Montaño-Peña, 2019). During 16th and 17th
century Puritans predicted their view that children are evil which was described in the form of
Christian view point. There were differences in the lives of children in Victorian time, industrial
revolution etc. There were no major changes which were undertaken for the concept of
childhood in the ancient times but in the current times, families of UK are taking initiatives for
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improving the family conditions on large scale and this has been reflected in their pattern of
lifestyle and how they are living with their families.
Knowledge of changes seen in the lives of children and their families from historical to
present times and range of factors including policy and legislations
There have been various changes which have taken place from historical to present times
in the lives of children and their families since the childhood in the early 19th century which
includes work, education and children have more money for themselves than they have spent
ever (Johnson, 2017). The lives of children living in UK have changed drastically which has
ensured that present times have improved the scale of families living in UK. This has made the
major changes like modern lifestyle which is provided to the children by the families. Along with
this, there are three main perspectives which are described as below –
The Christian view was being described as that children were evil. And this statement
was followed by the individuals or people in the 16th and 17th century (Holmes, 2021). Rousseau
stated that children are good until they are not corrupted by adults and this may be the main
reason why children are being influenced by the adults or senior persons. Locke’s ideas in 1632
– 1704 were that children are not bad or good, they just react according to the environment and
the education which is being provided to them.
The policy and legislations are described as how the changes are seen in the lives of the
children and their families and this helps in knowing what are the policies which are being
followed which says that The Children Act 1989 provides the legislative framework for child
protection in England in which the Act includes child’s welfare can be done in what nature, the
care to children so that the duties are performed in appropriate manner which fosters the
expectations and the requirements of children on large scale (Wilkinson and et.al., 2018). Along
with this, The Children and Families act 2014 of UK takes the coalition of government so that
the services that are provided to the children are improved and the children are supported by the
families. This act looks after the child and takes care in the situations where they are most
needed specifically in any vulnerable situations. Further, the act also co - incides family justice
and educational needs are to be provided to the children. Therefore, these legislations helps the
children to take the concern on their living and takes initiatives under the Act if anything
happens or for any reason they are being caught in problem. These legislations are being
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considered as important as they initiate the policies which are being undertaken on grounds of
knowing the policies which are to be followed.
Range of factors which includes the policy and legislations which have influenced social
construction –
There are two main factors which have influenced social construction and this includes the socio
– economic and cultural factors. These two factors influence the social construction of
childhood. The socio – economic factors include cognitive development of children. Along with
the family environment and this also includes educational expectations, behaviours, parenting
ideas which are important in parent and child relationship. The other factor which is cultural
factor constitutes personality which is acquired by children so that they are able to sense who
they are (Anderson and et.al., 2017). The unique culture which is presented in society influences
children and the way they develop physical, social, emotional behaviours, customs and beliefs
which are on large scale. These two are the major constituents which are described on scale of
delivering best of how children are reacting towards culture and socio – economic backgrounds.
Approach which supports vulnerable children, young people and families is the Maslow’s
Theory of Hierarchy of Needs is explained through different aspects which are considered as -
Psychological Needs – The psychological needs such as water, toilet and food are the major
factors which are to be kept for the consideration of children, young people and families
(Osemeke and et.al., 2017).
Safety Needs – Safety needs such as relationships which makes feel safe which is between the
children and their parents along with this house and protection are also the major aspects in
safety needs.
Love/Belonging Needs – Belonging needs such as relationships and making friends which
children and young people provides support in this aspect (Hopper, 2020).
Self – Esteem Needs – Self - esteem needs such as respect for others and self – confidence which
the children, young people and families should abide by.
Self – Actualization Needs – Self – actualization needs are the needs which are the achievements
of the children or can be consisted of the young people.
Impact of such factors in improving the lives of children, young people and families and
reducing inequalities in health and social care service provision
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Impact of socio – economic and cultural factors in improving the lives of children, young people
and families is that the children should be provided freedom in presenting their opinions in the
family and through this the main purpose of how the child behaves is also observed. In
improving the lives of children, young people and families it is very important that they are able
to analyze what are the needs and requirements from the socio – economic grounds in which they
are living and how does that affects them, this also indicates that the culture which the families,
children and the young people of UK follow (Farah, 2017). There is major impact of the socio –
economic and cultural factors which indicates that all the major sources of how the children are
living their life and how the changes in the socio – economic and cultural environment affect
them. Socio – economic and cultural factors helps in improving the viewpoints and perspectives
of children and young people as how they grow up while living in the families. This also makes
analyze the scale of how the families are being taking concern on living the life and taking care
of their children on large basis in an effective and significant manner.
The socio – economic and cultural factors on the other scale helps in knowing what is the
base through which the children, young people and the families are following. This also analyzes
and evaluates the behavioural patterns of the children and the young people in their families
which indicate what are the sources of things which are being undertaken on large scale (Kim
and et.al., 2018). Socio – economic and cultural factors helps the children to learn about how to
live in the society and what are the basic norms and beliefs of the culture which other society
members follow on large scale. Thus, socio – economic factors and cultural factors makes teach
the children and the families how to live in the society and follow the cultural aspects on large
scale. This also aids the children in understanding the diverse ways in which various things are
being advised to them to flow and how to obey those beliefs effectively and in significant
manner.
Reduction in inequalities in health and social care service provision is impacted by the socio
– economic and cultural factors but there is improvement in the scale of how the health and
social care service provisions are being providing the services to the individuals of UK. There
has been reduction in the health and social care sector which provides the provision to the
individuals for reduction in the inequalities on large scale (Lamont, 2018). Thus, the reduction in
equalities has made it possible for the UK in taking concern for the service sector to be improved
along with taking care of the children, young people and families.
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Reduction in equalities is important so that the health and social care service provisions
are taken into accordance for benefitting the children and the families. This will also help them
in analyzing and evaluating how effective the performance of the children is while they seek
education from the school (Crosby and et.al., 2020). Health and social care sector provides the
care services which are being undertaken for the perspective of knowing the essential needs and
requirements which are to be provided to the individuals or the young people.
Range of approaches and interventions which support vulnerable children, young people
and families along with recommendations and discuss their potential impact
The interventions which support vulnerable children, young people and families includes
the targeted services which helps in knowing that free school meals are to be provided so that the
child’s needs and expectations are provided to them on large scale. This helps in knowing what
actually the children need and how the requirements are fulfilled effectively and efficiently.
Current interventions to help children and different families include Universal services which
help the children and their families to provide them proper education by letting them join school
and gain knowledge (Pera and et.al., 2019). And in schools, targeted services should be provided
which are free school meals, child’s needs and requirements in various situations in which they
might find difficulty or problems.
Relevant recommendations for improvement are –
 Inequalities should be reduced by providing the facilities which are equally distributed
among the children.
 Child’s perspective should be taken into consideration as to what are its needs and
requirements.
 Free meals at the schools should be provided to the children.
 Families should take care of their children and fulfil their needs and requirements so that
they are able to live in the society and follow the culture.
Potential impact or benefit for children, young people and families is that the children will be
able to communicate more effectively and efficiently to what they require and this will help the
family in knowing the basic requirements of them (Winnicki and et.al., 2019). The benefit which
is displayed on the children, young people and families incur to take the initiatives which helps
them in knowing what is the scale through which all the aspects of growth and development of
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children is observed by the families and this will also enable the sources through which different
perspectives are determined of how the families and children behave in the culture and society.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the above essay that definitions of childhood were provided along
with the key elements of family life and childhood. Understanding of the development of social
construction of the childhood was explained. Knowledge of changes was seen in the lives of
children and their families from historic to present times. Policies and legislations which have
influenced changes in the social construction of childhood and families were explained in detail.
Impact of the factors on the lives of children, young people and families was evaluated and then
explained along with reducing inequalities in health and social acre service provision was being
analyzed. Range of approaches and interventions were described which supported vulnerable
children, young people and families. Along with this, effectiveness in reducing inequalities was
also described. Recommendations were recommended. Potential impact and benefit for children,
young people and families was also explained effectively and efficiently.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Shonkoff, J.P., 2017. Rethinking the definition of evidence-based interventions to promote early
childhood development. Pediatrics.140(6).
Kamal, S.A., 2017. In search of a definition of childhood obesity. International Journal of
Biology and Biotechnology.14(1).pp.49-67.
Barassi, V., 2017. Digital citizens? Data traces and family life. Contemporary Social
Science.12(1-2).pp.84-95.
Moore, E.S. and et.al., 2017. All in the family? Parental roles in the epidemic of childhood
obesity. Journal of Consumer Research.43(5).pp.824-859.
Montaño-Peña, N., 2019. Social Construction of Childhood Through Images and Photographs:
An Entrance to Education.
Johnson, V., 2017. Moving beyond voice in children and young people’s participation. Action
Research.15(1).pp.104-124.
Holmes, S.E., 2021. The Changing Nature of Ministry amongst Children and Families in the UK
during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Christian Education Journal.p.07398913211009912.
Wilkinson, K. and et.al., 2018. The perceived fairness of work–life balance policies: A UK case
study of solo‐living managers and professionals without children. Human Resource
Management Journal.28(2).pp.325-339.
Anderson, B.A. and et.al., 2017. Regional and cultural factors in the decline of marital fertility in
Europe. In The decline of fertility in Europe (pp. 293-313). Princeton University Press.
Osemeke, M. and et.al., 2017. Critical review and comparism between Maslow, Herzberg, and
McClelland‟ s theory of needs. Funai Journal of Accounting, Business and
Finance.1(1).pp.161-173.
Hopper, E., 2020. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Explained. ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo.24.
Farah, M.J., 2017. The neuroscience of socioeconomic status: Correlates, causes, and
consequences. Neuron.96(1).pp.56-71.
Kim, P. and et.al., 2018. How socioeconomic disadvantages get under the skin and into the brain
to influence health development across the lifespan. Handbook of life course health
development.pp.463-497.
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Lamont, M., 2018. Addressing recognition gaps: Destigmatization and the reduction of
inequality. American Sociological Review.83(3).pp.419-444.
Crosby, S. and et.al., 2020. Evaluating approaches to designing effective Co-Created hand-
hygiene interventions for children in India, Sierra Leone and the UK. Plos
one.15(9).p.e0239234.
Pera, M.S. and et.al., 2019. With a Little Help from My Friends: Use of Recommendations at
School.
Winnicki, E. and et.al., 2019. Higher eGFR at dialysis initiation is not associated with a survival
benefit in children. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.30(8).pp.1505-1513.
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