Investigating the of Emily - Case Study Example

Investigating the case of Emily Some children face hard conditions due to their parents’ religious inclination. The children may encounter physical harm that will lead to bruises on their bodies. When a child is exposed to a harsh condition, she gets affected psychologically, physically, and her health deteriorates. Emily is one such child who has undergone harsh treatment from her parents due to their religious beliefs. About the child Emily is a 13-year old child who is still in school. The girl lives with her parents together with her siblings. The girl’s parents are member of a group that believes in punishment for wrong doings. This girl is in poor condition due to severe punishment inflicted on her, and also malnutrition. The girl has lost concentration in class. A medical study on her reveals that the girl has experienced malnutrition and poor health condition. Investigation results This investigator took the initiative of investigating the circumstances that led to the poor condition of the girl. The investigator had a chance of talking to teachers and parents of Emily. The investigator wanted to identify the reasons that led to the condition of the child. Emily’s teachers revealed that the child’s academic performance has been deteriorating from one examination to another. The teachers noted that Emily has always assumed a lonely figure something unusual to other children. It is always the nature of children of her age to be actively involved in childhood games. The girl appeared quiet and was only concerned about her own business. A close examination of Emily revealed that she had physical bruises inflicted to her by blunt objects. The girl was very weak, looking like somebody malnourished. Emily revealed that she was undergoing great tribulations in the hands of her parents due to their religious beliefs. Emily’s parents consented to the fact that they were the ones responsible for the health situation of the child. They claimed that their religious beliefs gave them the right to treat their child in that manner. The parents said that they had to punish their child in order for her to be a responsible person. They also claimed that they had to deny Emily food from time to time in order to make her endure such environments in the future. The parents said their actions were driven by a desire to see the child grow into a responsible citizen. When the parents were asked if they were aware of children’s rights, they answered in the affirmative. They claimed that they were obligated by their religious inclination to treat their children that way. Some children may do wrong, but a form of punishment must not inflict wounds on them (Siegel and Welsh 24). The religious order that Emily’s parents belong to, believes in severe punishment for any misdeed. This belief has compelled Emily’s parent to mistreat her wherever they perceive the girl is doing the wrong thing. The religious group is illegal since the government did not recognize it. The beliefs and actions taken by the group are illegal since the grouped is not recognized. Besides punishing their children with a thorough beating, they may also deny a child food-an action, which is against the rights of children (ACLU 6). To make the matter worse, the parents failed to take Emily to the hospital even after noticing the deteriorating health condition of the girl. The principal and guidance counselor of Emily’s school did a commendable work to ensure that the child receives medical attention and counseling that will help her to recuperate and overcome the challenges she had undergone. The school has also taken a bold step of housing the child until her predicaments are solved. The step of isolating the child from her parents was geared towards shielding the child from further assaults from her parents and their religious beliefs. The school was obligated to offer protection to the girl, to ensure that she could continue with her studies without facing challenges that result from her parents’ religious inclination. Feasible alternatives There are ways in which the concerned parties can deal with this situation while ensuring that the girl lives in an environment that is conducive. The first step is to advise the parents of the girl, Emily. Both the school and the bureau of social services need to take necessary steps to meet Emily’s parents. It is critical to talk to the parents of Emily to inform them concerning the situation of Emily, and what her condition will affect her academics. The parents need information concerning the rights of children, and possible legal actions that can be taken when a child is exposed to inhumane conditions. The parents may also not be aware of the existence of laws that prohibit certain religious inclinations. Children’s rights include right for education, food and accommodation (UN 4). The other possible alternative that may be used is to take legal actions against the parents. Children have rights that parents must respect. Every child has a right to education, correct upbringing, the right to be protected from harm and other rights. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that children are protected from all harms. Any parent that fails in their responsibilities must face legal actions. The harsh condition that Emily is exposed to may result to very bad experience in her life, hence the need to stop this trend. The bureau of social services must act swiftly to ensure groups that believe in punishment of children face the law. Any group of people that advocates against the rights of children must not be given an opportunity to carry on with their activities without facing resistance. The bureau of social services must be in the forefront to ensure that all laws that seek to protect children are enforced accordingly. Many people that infringes on the rights of children do it irrespective of being aware of such rights. The people that fail to adhere to the existing laws need to be arraigned in court so that they can face charges of child abuse. The public needs sensitization concerning the rights of children. It is a common knowledge that some children are undergoing great tribulations in the hands of their parents and guardians (Peterson 12). Many parents and guardians have various beliefs that may affect negatively on the general well-being of children. The circumstances that surround Emily need to be condemned by all possible terms. The bureau of social services needs to up by game by organizing for sensitization forums on the need to protect young children. The parents need to know about the laws that protect the children. They must also be aware of penalties towards those individuals that deny children of their rights. Sensitization can go a long way to reducing if not to eradicate the cases where children are exposed to situations that make them suffer both psychologically and physically. The bureau of social services must ensure that parents get information concerning actions that will affect children. The bureau of social services must ensure that Emily needs the necessary counseling. The girl has suffered in the hands of those who are supposed to protect her-parents. If Emily does not receive the necessary counseling, she may find it difficult to trust anybody else that comes across her life. Proper counseling will ensure that the child forgets what she has undergone in life. The counseling will also assist her to know that there are opportunities in ones life that will follow her in the future life. Counseling will help to boost her self-esteem, ensuring that she can mingle with other children without feeling that she is an odd one out. Additionally, counseling will ensure that Emily will face life challenges with the right attitude knowing that challenges come her way to make her strong. Emily needs somebody who can talk to her in a positive way, ensuring her that not all is lost. The bureau of social services must ensure that the girl’s education is not affected. Emily should get help for her to complete her studies. She needs to get sponsorship for her to pursue an education up to the level she will want. Various stakeholders who deal with the issues of children must ensure that the girl gets the necessary education for her to assist herself in the future. Education is critical to everyone’s life in modern days. Without education, one will find it hard to get employment that will help one cater to her needs. Just in case Emily’s parents are found guilty of mistreating her; she will need somebody that will ensure that she gets education, food and accommodation. It is the role the bureau of social services to ensure that the young girl gets the comfort that other children of her age are enjoying. Recommendations After a thorough analysis of Emily’s situation, the following is the recommendations that need consideration. These recommendations will one way or another help Emily and other children who are facing the same situation: The bureau of social services must take legal action against Emily’s parents and other parents that engage in activities that harm children. It is a fact that everyone has a right to choose his/her path of religious beliefs. Although this right is in the constitution, one must not cause harm to another person by using religion as a shield. Emily has been affected in many ways. Her parents have denied her enough food. It is a crime to deny children food if it exists. Children have a right to be fed by their parents and the state. Emily has also sustained injuries that were inflicted on her body and this constitutes a criminal offense and her parents must face legal action. Parents have no rights to cause injuries to their children since children have a right of protection. If found guilty, based on the above charges, Emilys parent will receive a jail sentence which will be a warning to people doing the same thing, or those who were yet to engage in such activities. Abuse of children may be a permanent mark in their lives, hence the need to protect children from any harm. Children need protection since they are not mature to protect themselves against harm that may fall on them. Many bodies have been formed to take care of the welfare of children. These bodies need to be active to ensure that children are protected from individuals who are out to cause them harm. Emily’s parents’ conviction will serve as a lesson to other parents who are also doing the same. Emily’s parents had a role to protect their child from any harm. Religious background should not be an excuse to inflict harm on the child. This case merit to be taken to court. It is unconstitutional to deny a child food and also to cause physical harm. Investigation reveals that indeed Emily has faced physical harm and malnutrition. That implies that her parents must face the consequence by facing those charges in court. It is only the court that will decide the fate of Emily’s parents. Conclusion The law protects children against anything that will cause discomfort to them. They are expected to live free from any disturbance since they are still developing. Parents have a role to ensure that children are protected from various dangerous situations that may come their way. They are the first contact with children before reaching the external environment, hence vital in their life. Emily’s parents have failed in their responsibility. It is their role to protect the child, hence the need for them to face legal action for that failure. Any legal action taken to them should comply with provisions under the childrens act. Works Cited ACLU. Children’s Rights. 2012 Online < https://www.aclu.org/human-rights/childrens-rights> Peterson, Rebecca. Understanding Contemporary Gangs in America: An Interdisciplinary Approach. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 2004 Siegel, Larry and Welsh, Brandon. Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law. 11th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Inc. 2012 UN. Lists of Children’s Rights. 2013 Online < http://unchildrights.blogspot.com/2009/03/summary-childrens-rights-convention.html> Read More