...Imagine for a moment that you are the loving foster parent of a 10 year old boy that you’ve raised since infancy. You consider him your son and are willing and able to adopt this child and have also proven your competency to do just that. This scenario is exactly that of Steven Lofton and Douglas Houghton. However, despite the fact that they can provide a loving and stable environment for their foster son, they were denied this opportunity for the sole reason that they are a homosexual couple. Homosexuals have always faced discrimination, mostly for religious purposes, and have been denied basic rights that are not denied to heterosexuals. However, there are tens of thousands of children in the United States that go unadopted each year, along with even more same-sex couples. Therefore, in order to provide these children with a loving home, something that homosexuals are completely capable of providing, gay couples should be allowed to adopt in all fifty states. Today, in America, there are thousands of children reported to be living in homes with at least one gay parent. In most cases, the partner of that gay parent is given no legal parental rights. Should homosexual partners be allowed to adopt? Evidence on the effects of gay and straight parenting is very incomplete. With this lack of evidence proving that homosexual couples would be unfit parents for a child and that heterosexual couples could provide a superior home, there is no reason that gay marriage should be banned...
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...of ten. Consistently, she was taking pills, smoking marijuana, and drinking. Struggling with depression, bulimia, anorexia, and her parents’ physical and verbal abuse was demanding. In 2009, she ran away from home. At 15 years old, when the cops found her, her eyes were sunken in, her skin was black and blue and littered with cuts; she did not recognize herself. When Savannah entered the juvenile hall, sobriety began. At 18, she now works as a project coordinator for a drug recovery center (“True Story: Savannah”). Though Savannah's story ends well, this is not common for kids living with addicted parents. Ordinarily, kids from drug addicted parents do not end up in recovery, and often struggle with physical and psychological problems. Studies reveal, “25 percent of American kids grow up in households where substance abuse is present” (“Guide for Children of Addicted Parents”). Therefore, substance abuse affects children in numerous ways, including impacts of drug addiction, abusive parents, and involvement in rehabilitation programs. Similarly, substance abuse affects...
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...stance on the matters of same-sex parenting and child care in the processes of adoption and foster parenting. The Garden State allows for same-sex adoption; allows single homosexuals to adopt; and allows second parent same-sex adoption (Lifelong Adoptions, 2013). New Jersey has passed progressive laws and policies that prohibit discrimination charged against LGBT individuals in the adoption process (Lifelong Adoptions, 2013). New Jersey state law also bans discrimination against LGBT individuals in the foster parent process (Lifelong Adoptions, 2013). New Jersey Statutes Annotated 9:3-43 enables for any person to adopt permitted the said person(s) pass a background investigation and meet adoption criteria for eligibility (Onelce, 2012). Unmarried joint adoptive parents petitioning to adopt a child can do so because of N.J.S.A. 9:3-43 (Onelce, 2012). In “Re-adoption of Two Children” by H.N.R., 666 A.2d 535 (Onelce, 2012) addresses second parent adoption; this statute exercises the possibility for an individual to petition for shared rights of custody with a parent who already possesses legal parental custody of a child. Several states prohibit joint adoption due to unmarried status. This statute is favorable for unmarried parents seeking to adopt in New Jersey. This New Jersey statute provides for an overall tolerant atmosphere for LGBT individuals and couples looking to adopt or become foster parents. In summary, laws and policies regarding same-sex adoption vary from state to state...
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...Foster Care in the United States Sue King Liberty University Abstract The history of foster care in the United States started with orphan trains and the Children’s Aid Society founded by Charles Loring Brace. Recent research describes the child welfare system as an organization that provides service to helpless children in need. This paper will discuss foster care as it is relates to safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in need The role of a foster parent and the process of loss, and grief after a child leave their biological parents will be discussed. Research suggests that Courts has the final decision whether a child will stay in foster care or return home. This paper will describe the developmental impact that foster care has on children after losing their biological family. There are several risk factors associated with poverty. This paper will discuss the significance of children reuniting with their biological parents and/or being adopted for permanency. Empirical evidence from recent research confirmed that hard times during childhood was related to health problems later in life. Foster care reform, educational outcomes, economic incentives for adoption, mentors and home visitation programs should be implemented to improve the foster care system. Keywords: foster care, developmental, health problems, orphan trains Foster Care in the United States The prevalence rate is high for foster care in the United States. The history...
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...lesbians be granted the right to adopt a child? Today's view of gays and lesbians is drastically different than it was in the past. As more people "come out of the closet" gays and lesbians are becoming more socially accepted. They currently are battling for equality in a variety of areas. The most common areas are choosing to adopt a child and the impact that might have on themselves as well as the child and equal marriage. There are three main ways that gays and lesbians are raising children and acquiring families without the courts becoming involved. The first way, which is also the most common way, is when heterosexual marriages dissolve after one parent apparently "comes out." With this situation, as long as there isn't a messy custody battle in court most often the child is raised by the gay or lesbian parent, and is also fully aware of his or her parent's sexual tendencies. The second method is lesbians receiving artificial insemination. Estimates of the number of children born to lesbians through artificial insemination range in the tens of thousands. Lastly, there is one of the newer methods: gays and lesbians going into an agreement with each other to produce a child. In some cases they share duties and custody in raising the child. In other cases the men or women avoid any attachment with the child at all (Bernard, T. S.). Lesbian and gay parents go throughout the daily routines of life no differently than heterosexual parents do. In most cases everyone just wants...
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...Ethical Decision Making Process: The Case Study of Gentry As counselors, we are responsible for promoting the mental, emotional and physical well-being of our clients. Sometime promoting the welfare of clients is not as simplistic and straightforward as it is in textbooks. There will be times when we, as counselors, face the challenge that is an ethical dilemma. When deciding how to manage these types of situations there are ethical, legal and moral considerations. The American Counseling Association has established the ethical guidelines for counselors. The legal obligations counselors must adhere to are established by the federal government and state legislation. Moral principles that counselors reflect upon are autonomy, nonmaleficence,...
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...and/or their siblings. Does having a drug addicted parent have an effect on a child’s emotional development? If so, does this form of abuse that is recognized in the category of neglect have a long lasting effect on the child into adulthood? A child of an addict is constantly exposed to risks more so than the average child. The children are placed in harmful situations such as being minimally supervised, extended exposure to secondhand smoke; exposure to HIV infected needles and are placed in situations where they can accidentally ingest the parent’s drugs. There are many different factors that lead to child abuse but poverty, alcohol, and drug use seem to be to main component to the disturbing increase of neglected children. Children raised in an unloving, unresponsive household are emotionally neglected. In addition, neglected children are more likely to come from single parent households. Overall incidents of child abuse cases have fallen, however; abuse of children in single-parent households still holds the overall national trend. Although child abuse and neglect overall are “significantly” down, in single-parent households it’s increased since 1996 (fathersandfamilies.org). Child welfare professionals have identified the impact of child maltreatment on brain development and how it can alter the brain functions and consequently affect ones mental state. The development level at the time of maltreatment has a...
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...Parents PSY 304 December 22, 2014 The Way We Are: How Much Credit or Blame Belongs to Our Parents When it comes to parenting and raising our kids we all want them to grow up and be responsible productive adults that contribute positively to society. Unfortunately this is not always to case, the way we raise our kids can either lead them to be positive impact on the society or they could go down the other road and have a negative impact on society. So as parents we are either too blame or given credit for how our children turn out. The parenting style you choose can have a very important impact on how your child lives as an adult. Parents are their children’s most important role models, it is important for parental control in each step of our children’s life and education. As parents we are our children’s most valuable and important role models, what they learn from us will guide who they are as adults. When our children are small one way they learn how to do things is by watching what others are doing and modeling what they do, and how they behave, this is what developmental psychologist Albert Bandura call social cognitive theory. Children are so impressionable they will model a parent’s behavior good or bad. The parenting style you use when raising your kids could have a large impact on the way they turn out as adults. According to developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind there are four different parenting styles when it comes to raising children Authorative, Authoritarian...
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...Head: EXAMINING CHILD ABUSE & FOSTER CARE Examining Different Types of Child Abuse and the Effects of Foster Care Kelsey D. Hill Northeast Alabama Community College Abstract All children have the right to live in an environment free from abuse and neglect. According to Muda & Alwi (2012), “The safety of children is the paramount concern that must guide child protection efforts”. There are four main types of abuse: Physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect. Physical abuse and emotional abuse are similar and different in many ways. Physical abuse can be seen on the outside of a child, while emotional abuse is more of a mental abuse and can harm a child majorly. This paper examines abuse and factors that may help children who are abused. Examining Different Types of Child Abuse and the Effects of Foster Care There are several different types of abuse that undeniably occur in children. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect are the four main forms of abuse. Abuse can physically and mentally abuse a person permanently. A child’s development stage is the most crucial and needs serious attention from parents as well as teachers in order to assure their growth into healthy and mature adults (Noh & Wan, 2012). One of the factors that may hamper a child’s growth is child abuse. It could cause serious emotional effects to a child throughout their lifetime. Although some children would disagree, foster care and human resources could be a...
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...МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ УКРАЇНИ ХЕРСОНСЬКИЙ НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ ТЕХНІЧНИЙ УНІВЕРСИТЕТ КАФЕДРА ТЕОРІЇ ТА ПРАКТИКИ ПЕРЕКЛАДУ Реєстр. № 7/949 - 03.12.09 Методичні вказівки для виконання практичних занять з дисципліни “Основна іноземна мова: усна та писемна практика мовлення (англійська мова )”, для студентів І курсу, напряму підготовки 6.020303 “Філологія” (за професійним спрямуванням “Переклад”) галузі знань 0203 “Гуманітарні науки” Херсон 2009 Методичні вказівки для проведення практичних занять з дисципліни „Основна іноземна мова: усна та писемна практика мовлення (англійська) для студентів І курсу, спеціальності 6.030500 „Переклад”. – Херсон, ХНТУ, 2009р. – 40 стор. Рецензент: к.п.н., доцент Радецька С.В. Укладач: асистент Прокопенко О.А. Обговорено і схвалено на засіданні кафедри теорії і практики перекладу Протокол №___ від “_____” ______________р. Завідувач кафедри _________ Н.В. Возненко Анотація Робота з текстом, виконання завдань до нього, переклад є ефективними для сприйняття й засвоєння іншомовної лексики, граматичних структур, фонетичних явищ, вмінь та навичок перекладу. Основною метою даної методичної розробки є оптимізація процесу вивчення англійської мови...
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...Unit 2 Project Philippe Francois the problem of juvenile Delinquency This paper explains that juvenile delinquency, it will make the argument on how to reduce it and bring light to this problem which is fast becoming one of the largest problems facing urban America. It can lead to law-breaking juvenile, which often can lead to adult lives as career criminals. Over the years experts have given us many theories on the causes of juvenile delinquency, including one's economic background, parents level of education and abuse in the home, gangs organizations, repeated neighborhood delinquents, increased availability of weapons and new technology violent games have something to do with the growing of our young people getting in trouble and becoming part of the juvenile delinquent system. However in my opinion the number one cause of juvenile delinquency is the breakdown of families, including lack of parental control over their children. It is ironic in America, in todays age, a person must poses a driver's license to operate a vehicle, a permit to own a gun and even a license to have a pet, but one does not have to have proper training or a license in order to become a parent. Without specialized educational or programs in child development and parenting, many of our future parents will not have a chance at becoming successful parents and worse, many of todays parents are already contributing to the increasing problem of juvenile delinquency simply by not knowing how to raise...
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...DeVry University Table of Contents Introduction Page 2 Capability / Fitness of Gay and Lesbian Parents Page 3 Shortage of Potential Adoptive and Foster Parents Page 4 The sexual orientation of the Potential Parents Page 5 Conclusion Page 6 Bibliography Page 7 Introduction According to A. Littauer on “Same Sex Parenting”, gay people have parented their children for as long as people have understood themselves as gay. However, homosexual parents often shielded themselves and their children from scrutiny by publicly concealing their sexual orientation in the past. But by the end of the twentieth century, an estimated six to ten million gay and lesbian parents in the United States were raising six to fourteen million children, often in openly recognized gay families. Most of these children were born to heterosexually married parents; one or both of whom later came out as gay or lesbian (Littauer 2008). Allowing LGBT parents to adopt or foster has been the subject of controversy for a long time. Discussions and debates about adoption and foster care by gay or lesbian parents occur frequently among child welfare policy makers, social service agencies and social workers. However, while such an ongoing debate exist, on any given day in the United States about a half million children are living foster care. Additionally, many of our personal resources are spent adopting internationally or through private domestic adoption agencies, in an attempt to avoid the unnecessary...
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...given up for adoptions, it could be a young mother who is not yet ready for the responsibility, the cause of the child’s birth parents being deceased, teenage pregnancy, or a traumatic event such as rape. One has the choice of either adopting domestically or internationally. Domestic adoption is the placing of a child in the same country as the child’s birth. This may be done through the foster care system, a private agency and the state. International adoption is where the person adopting whether it is an individual or a couple would become the legal and permanent parents of the child that was born in another country. Many people could be discouraged by adoption because of the time frame it would take for them to be granted a child. The cost of adoption may vary because there are many different ways to adopt a child in the United States. Due to the cost and waiting period of adoption many children in the United States are not being adopted. The adoption process involves three phases. Phase one is the termination of the parent’s rights. In most cases the termination of parental rights is voluntary although the time frame in which the birth parents may change their minds can change from state to state. Once an adoption has been finalized it is extremely difficult to overturn the adoption (Adamec, C and Pierce, W. 2000). Phase two is the placement of the adoptee with and adoptive family. Phase three is the finalization of the adoption. This process is for both domestic and...
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...having problems with the law, having money problems, and requiring a larger quantity of alcohol to feel its effect (Videbeck, 2007). Alcoholism does not only affect the adults. According to Sociological theory, alcoholism is a learned response. This often happens at a young age. A child may see things around them or on TV of people drinking and they tend to believe that is the right thing to do. This addiction is primarily believed to be because of society's influences. This often will affect persons who mostly drink in groups. This theory is based more on the peer pressure a person might receive, so they often turn to alcohol drinking problems during college years. Moreover, it has become a public health concern because of its effect on the future of a child. The goal of the current study is to assess the primary psychosocial factors that predict problem drinking among college students. Variables examined included demographic variables, personality, drinking history, alcohol expectancies, drinking motives, stress and coping, activity involvement, and peer and family influence. Evidence from studies of college drinking indicated that the variables associated with...
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...‘Obesity is a social issue because of parenting and family issues rather than a food issue. What role do families play in the increasing level of obesity in Australian children?’ Childhood obesity levels are rising in many countries throughout the world, including Australia. Numerous studies of Australian, overweight children, have shown obesity has doubled in recent years with 20% - 25% of children now considered obese or overweight (Batch & Baur 2005, p.130). The health and social problems associated with obesity in children are numerous, pushing health practitioners and researchers to uncover solutions for this issue. While evidence points to many dissimilar rationales, much emphasis is being placed upon parents and their role in educating and providing children with effective lifestyle behaviours, focussed on gaining control of the obesity wave. This essay explores the parent’s responsibilities and influences on their child’s weight; through nutritional choices, physical activity and screen time (television, computer and video games), as well as marital status and parenting styles. It will also discuss research showing genetics to be a large portion of the illustration into the world of childhood obesity, and could be the exception to placing blame on the family. Treatment programs for obese children are taking into account parental influences of food choices within the family. Parents are exclusively accountable for the procurement and preparation of healthy...
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