Risk and Protective Factors: Pharoah and Lafeyette - Term Paper Example

Abstract This paper discusses the child risk factors, family risk factors and social/environmental risk factors. Along with this their prevention and cure has also been discussed in detail. Problems such as child risk factors are very common in situations where unstable relationship exists between the parents; in this case, children are affected the most and ultimately suffer. Furthermore, parents are unable to shield their offspring from the environmental effects that the society tends to foster. It should be kept in mind that as long as the children are not provided a proper background, good parental guide, education and stable financial situation, their development and proper growth will be hindered and ultimately their progress in the future will be adversely affected consequently denting their personality. Risk and Protective Factors: Pharoah and Lafeyette The problem that is under study in this research paper is as the title says; silk and protective factors. In this regard further issues will also be discussed which includes family risk and protective factors and social/environmental risk and protective factors. Child Risk Factors Different researches show that the behavior of a child is the consequence of a variety of factors among which societal, genetic and environmental factor are most prominent. Family of the individual can be a very major factor in this regard. Child risk factors are said to be very common among families that are poor as it is extremely difficult to make both ends meet stressful situation prevails. Children whose parents are not mentally healthy also have to go through situations in which their growth and development is greatly affected. Their confidence is shattered and they hesitate in participating and are unable to come up to their peers’ expectations. It is indeed very difficult to maintain a balance in situations where there are child and social/ environmental risks involved. However Pharoah and Lafeyette have set a great example by not letting the risk factors come in the way of their dreams and inspirations. Residing in the slums which is world apart from the rest of the America, the brothers make sure that they have their own identity and that they do not indulge in the appalling habits of drug usage and crime. Child Protective Factors After analyzing the entire situation of child risk factors, researchers have come up with policies that will protect the rights of the children and simultaneously decrease risks, build the capacity of the family and promote flexibility among the families. The protective factors that are most commonly practiced include building a close relationship among parents and children, settlement of parents’ abusive past, outlining family rules that complement both parents and children needs and building a healthy and friendly relationship between parents and children. The protective factors further extend to providing children with quality education and their exposure, provision of medical care, ensuring that parents are consistently employed. (Davies, 2004) Family Risk Factors Family risk factors directly involve the harsh and severe attitude of the parents towards their child, giving brutal punishments, maintaining a negligent behavior towards their studies and way of conduct and lack of security and support from the parents. This usually results in early pregnancies, poor academic record, usage of drugs etc. and is very harmful for the development and tends to hinder proper growth of children. One of the most noteworthy family risk factor is lack of understanding between the parents; due to this, an unhappy and tense environment prevails in the house and hence there is a communication gap in between the parents and children. Family Protective Factors In family protective factors, one thing that is mostly highlighted is the maintenance of a relationship that ensures secure bonding and a responsive relationship between parents and children. There should be proper monitoring of the children and it should be made sure that there are rules and regulations in the house and proper care should be taken that they are not violated. The parents themselves should be well educated so that they can set an example for their children, understand the importance of education, educate their kids properly and look carefully in their academic matters. Both the boys stay deeply concerned with their academics and make sure that it is not affected by the petty issues of their society and thus they develop into two individuals who are complete when it comes to building relationships, nourishing love and pampering their dreams. Social/Environmental Risk Factors The social factors that can adversely affect a child can be unnecessary peer pressure and lack of support from the parental side in this regard. Community factors also have a contribution; researches show that children who belong to a poor background are prone to offending as compared to the ones raised in a comparatively financially stable environment. Often children are faced with situations in which they indulge in bad habits such as smoking, using drugs without being consciously aware of it. Usually adults who do not belong to the family but are a part of the social circle pose a negative attitude and set up a bad example and the children are consequently affected by it. (Kotlowitz, 1992) Social/Environmental Protective Factors It should be ensured that every individual is given proper medical and health services that is within the reach and promises quality. The housing conditions should be well equipped and should guarantee warmth and protection and also the parents should have a stable job so that there is some consistency in the financial status. Faith in the religion should be well defined without any confusion and discrepancy. In all the struggle their mother has a very prominent role too who with her generous and ingenious attitude fights with the financial crisis and environmental issues nevertheless giving rise to two courageous boys; Pharoah and Lafeyette. Conclusion Various child risk factors and their protection have been mentioned in this paper. Proper care should be taken that such situations that endanger an individual’s future and personality be avoided and if they occur then the required steps be taken in order to deal with it. References Style for Books Davies, D. (2004). Child development: A practitioner’s guide (2nd edition). New York. The Guilford Press. Kotlowitz, A. (1992). There are no children here: The story of two boys growing up in the other America. New York, New York: Anchor Books. Read More