Above is a concept map depicting my understanding of the many variables involved.Federal intervention in NT indigenous communities
ABSTRACT
The federal government has introduced new measures in order to tackle child sex abuse in Aboriginal communities within the Northern Territory (Department of the Chief Minister, 2007; ABC, 2007). This paper will critically assess the potential impacts of federal intervention and discuss social psychology themes such as prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping. This article will not examine the issues land issue of the Commonwealth’s new ability to acquire leases over townships on Aboriginal land and to eliminate the permit system which controls entry to indigenous land.
Federal intervention in NT indigenous communities
The federal government has intervened in the Northern Territory in an attempt to address the underlying social and economic contributors to sexual abuse. Following reports that child abuse within the Aboriginal community is prevalent the government sought to understand the issue further. An investigation was commissioned with a report compiled by Pat Anderson and Rex Wild QC. In the Little Children Are Sacred report almost one hundred recommendations were proposed. The federal government has adopted some of these recommendations and has provided substantial funding in order to improve infrastructure in the Northern Territory (Department of the Chief Minister, 2007).
The government has adopted a cross sectoral approach with funding provided to improve health, education and criminal justice. Programs will be put in place in order to achieve better health outcomes and education also new legislation has been introduced. This is certainly a step in the right direction to address some of the problems within the community. However, it would have been useful to see some themes from social psychology adopted in order to understand what motivates this type of behaviour in order to help all Australians.
Social psychology tries to understand how we think, act and feel as through this understanding we can then understand people and the society we live in (Baumeister, 2007). One social psychological approach would be to strengthen families by improving the individual’s self esteem, self efficacy and core coping skills. An individual who has suffered abuse is also likely to have low self esteem, depression and is more likely to demonstrate physical aggression (Tomison, ud).
Child abuse is an issue that affects society on many levels as the individual, the family and the community all feel its negative impacts. Many studies report relationships between maltreatment and outcomes such as behaviour problems and developmental delays (Shonkoff et al, 2000; Wiggins et al, 2007). Research studies have also consistently shown a connection between abuse and short and long term affects to children’s physical and mental health, educational attainment and social development (Chalk, 2002). Taking action is crucial and the Australian government have shown that they see this as a significant issue. However, the approach the federal government and media have a taken has now made it difficult for the community social workers to develop trust between themselves and Aboriginal families.
Social science researchers and epidemiologists have discovered the link between early exposure to violence and spousal abuse (Anderson, 2006). Bhandura’s social learning theory also proposes that behavior is primarily learned through observation and imitation, therefore, individuals who have experienced violence and abuse are more likely to again use violence in the home (Gelles, 1997). Through early intervention it can be possible to break the cycle of abuse from continuing throughout further generations.
One way to change perceptions and attitudes to violence is to put in place early intervention programs, education for risk families and education on maltreatment for police officers who investigate domestic violence. These are all ways of attempting to combat child abuse and its negative effects. Unfortunately, these proactive attempts for risk families which provide treatment earlier have not been included in the federal government’s plan of action.
One of the key ideas that social psychologist Lewin proposed is that behaviour is a function of the person and the situation (Baumeister, 2007). The social-psychological model assumes that violence and abuse can best be understood by careful examination of the external environmental factors that impact on the family (Gelles, 1997). This community is located in a remote area, is of low socio-economic status and has limited access to adequate services. Effective treatment and prevention should consider, and provide support for, environmental and social stresses on the family.
The government have budgeted for education and vocational training to be provided. As employment builds because of funding for housing and infrastructure individual’s self esteem and self confidence will increase. As outlined in self determination theory this is because the individual will be active, feel they have a purpose (Ryan, 2000) and that they are part of a social community. In turn this will have a beneficial effect on the community as a whole.
Children that suffer abuse are more likely to have parents that abuse drugs and alcohol, carry out criminal behaviour and have psychiatric disturbance (Smith et al., 1975). Alcohol can reduce self awareness and cause people to deviate from the values of their culture, an appropriate standard of behaviour and to lose social acceptance (Baumeister, 2007). It has been reported that within the Aboriginal community there is widespread alcohol and drug abuse. Banning alcohol is not a long term remedy, well-conceived and administered rehabilitation programs need to be funded and run. The government have promised funding for alcohol and drug programs.
Attitudes are a central theme in social psychology (Baumeister, 2007), in this case issues of prejudice, discrimination and the stereotyping of Aborigines and abuse are all important considerations. While research has proven that Aboriginals are far more likely to abuse and neglect their children (Tomison, ud) not all the media claims are supported by fact. European Australians have constructed a stereotype of the Aboriginal in the Northern Territory as an alcoholic abusive perpetrator. This creates negative feelings against all Aboriginal men while a majority are innocent of this type of behaviour. The federal intervention has also created an environment where Aboriginals as a minority group are being oppressed.
The federal approach may have been too heavy handed as it has caused male Aboriginals to become further marginalised and stigmatised. There hasn’t been equitable treatment of Aboriginals and European Australians. Within white western society child abuse is also widespread and something that also requires significant attention. This may well be a case of aversive racism on behalf of white Australians as we can see that a minority group has been vilified for behaviour that we also see in any other state or culture within Australia. But at the end of the day, drastic action was required in order to protect young Aboriginals and attempt to address this issue.
Action needs to be taken in order to strengthen the community and families. The federal government intervention has been implemented without consideration of Aboriginal culture, their community and customs. Adopting a collaborative approach which involved a range of participants from the Aboriginal community, government, psychologists and social welfare experts would have been more effective. This would have started to foster partnership and trust with those most affected and enabled all to draw ideas and experience from different areas of expertise. In summary, as a society we have a responsibility to protect vunerable individuals such as children who are reliant on their caregivers. Research on child protection has been fragmented with each perspective having something to contribute. We have something to learn from many of the psychological perspectives. Adopting a social psychology perspective would enable a strategic approach of creating prevention programs that address issues before intervention is required.
References
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 06/08/2007 Intervention plan meets hostility from Indigenous leaders
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s1998092.htm%20retrieved%2029%20August%202007 retrieved 29 August 2007
Department of the Chief Minister (2007) Closing the gap of indigenous disadvantage.
http://www.action.nt.gov.au/plan_of_action/docs/closing_the_gap.pdf
retrieved 29 August 2007
Anderson, J. (2006) Revisiting Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory to Better Understand and Assist Victims of Intimate Personal Violence. Women & Criminal justice 17(1) 99-124
Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2007) Social psychology and human nature. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
Chalk, R., Gibbons, A., & Scarupa, H. J. (2002). The multiple dimensions of child abuse and neglect: New insights into an old problem. Child Trends Research Brief.
http://www.ddcf.org/doris_duke_files/download_files/ChildAbuseRB.pdf
retrieved 28 August 2007
Gelles, R.F. (1997) Intimate violence in families (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78.
Shonkoff, J. & Phillips, D. (eds). (2000) From Neurons to neighbourhoods. The science of early child development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Smith, S. M., Hanson, R. & Noble, S. (1975), Parents of battered children: a controlled study. In: Concerning Child Abuse, ed. A. W. Franklin. New York: Churchill-Livingston.
Tomison, A. (undated) Preventing child abuse and other family violence: Issues for professionals. Australian Institute of Family Studies. http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/papers/tomison8.pdf
retrieved 29 August 2007
Wiggins, C, Fenichel, E. & Mann, T. (2007) Literature Review: Developmental Problems of Maltreated Children and Early Intervention Options for Maltreated Children
Appendices
Self evaluation of Blog
Theory - P
I have tried to include applicable social psychology perspectives.
Research - CR
A range of reference material was used to support the points I made through assessment item one.
Written Expression - P
I have attempted to use APA format however referencing has always been a weak point for me so I am not sure if there are some errors in how I reference.
My Text Readability could certainly be improved:
Word count : 1150
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level : 15
Flesch-Kincaid Grade : 17
Gunning-Fog Index : 26
Online Engagement - P
Blog 1 has been a development process of becoming comfortable with “blogging” and I have made some attempt to engage with others.
I have made some comments but have probably gained more from others than what I have shared. However, now that I am more confident I will also be engaging more in the Social Psychology student community.
The federal government has intervened in the Northern Territory in an attempt to address the underlying social and economic contributors to sexual abuse. Following reports that child abuse within the Aboriginal community is prevalent the government sought to understand the issue further. An investigation was commissioned with a report compiled by Pat Anderson and Rex Wild QC. In the Little Children Are Sacred report almost one hundred recommendations were proposed. The federal government has adopted some of these recommendations and has provided substantial funding in order to improve infrastructure in the Northern Territory (Department of the Chief Minister, 2007).
The government has adopted a cross sectoral approach with funding provided to improve health, education and criminal justice. Programs will be put in place in order to achieve better health outcomes and education also new legislation has been introduced. This is certainly a step in the right direction to address some of the problems within the community. However, it would have been useful to see some themes from social psychology adopted in order to understand what motivates this type of behaviour in order to help all Australians.
Social psychology tries to understand how we think, act and feel as through this understanding we can then understand people and the society we live in (Baumeister, 2007). One social psychological approach would be to strengthen families by improving the individual’s self esteem, self efficacy and core coping skills. An individual who has suffered abuse is also likely to have low self esteem, depression and is more likely to demonstrate physical aggression (Tomison, ud).
Child abuse is an issue that affects society on many levels as the individual, the family and the community all feel its negative impacts. Many studies report relationships between maltreatment and outcomes such as behaviour problems and developmental delays (Shonkoff et al, 2000; Wiggins et al, 2007). Research studies have also consistently shown a connection between abuse and short and long term affects to children’s physical and mental health, educational attainment and social development (Chalk, 2002). Taking action is crucial and the Australian government have shown that they see this as a significant issue. However, the approach the federal government and media have a taken has now made it difficult for the community social workers to develop trust between themselves and Aboriginal families.
Social science researchers and epidemiologists have discovered the link between early exposure to violence and spousal abuse (Anderson, 2006). Bhandura’s social learning theory also proposes that behavior is primarily learned through observation and imitation, therefore, individuals who have experienced violence and abuse are more likely to again use violence in the home (Gelles, 1997). Through early intervention it can be possible to break the cycle of abuse from continuing throughout further generations.
One way to change perceptions and attitudes to violence is to put in place early intervention programs, education for risk families and education on maltreatment for police officers who investigate domestic violence. These are all ways of attempting to combat child abuse and its negative effects. Unfortunately, these proactive attempts for risk families which provide treatment earlier have not been included in the federal government’s plan of action.
One of the key ideas that social psychologist Lewin proposed is that behaviour is a function of the person and the situation (Baumeister, 2007). The social-psychological model assumes that violence and abuse can best be understood by careful examination of the external environmental factors that impact on the family (Gelles, 1997). This community is located in a remote area, is of low socio-economic status and has limited access to adequate services. Effective treatment and prevention should consider, and provide support for, environmental and social stresses on the family.
The government have budgeted for education and vocational training to be provided. As employment builds because of funding for housing and infrastructure individual’s self esteem and self confidence will increase. As outlined in self determination theory this is because the individual will be active, feel they have a purpose (Ryan, 2000) and that they are part of a social community. In turn this will have a beneficial effect on the community as a whole.
Children that suffer abuse are more likely to have parents that abuse drugs and alcohol, carry out criminal behaviour and have psychiatric disturbance (Smith et al., 1975). Alcohol can reduce self awareness and cause people to deviate from the values of their culture, an appropriate standard of behaviour and to lose social acceptance (Baumeister, 2007). It has been reported that within the Aboriginal community there is widespread alcohol and drug abuse. Banning alcohol is not a long term remedy, well-conceived and administered rehabilitation programs need to be funded and run. The government have promised funding for alcohol and drug programs.
Attitudes are a central theme in social psychology (Baumeister, 2007), in this case issues of prejudice, discrimination and the stereotyping of Aborigines and abuse are all important considerations. While research has proven that Aboriginals are far more likely to abuse and neglect their children (Tomison, ud) not all the media claims are supported by fact. European Australians have constructed a stereotype of the Aboriginal in the Northern Territory as an alcoholic abusive perpetrator. This creates negative feelings against all Aboriginal men while a majority are innocent of this type of behaviour. The federal intervention has also created an environment where Aboriginals as a minority group are being oppressed.
The federal approach may have been too heavy handed as it has caused male Aboriginals to become further marginalised and stigmatised. There hasn’t been equitable treatment of Aboriginals and European Australians. Within white western society child abuse is also widespread and something that also requires significant attention. This may well be a case of aversive racism on behalf of white Australians as we can see that a minority group has been vilified for behaviour that we also see in any other state or culture within Australia. But at the end of the day, drastic action was required in order to protect young Aboriginals and attempt to address this issue.
Action needs to be taken in order to strengthen the community and families. The federal government intervention has been implemented without consideration of Aboriginal culture, their community and customs. Adopting a collaborative approach which involved a range of participants from the Aboriginal community, government, psychologists and social welfare experts would have been more effective. This would have started to foster partnership and trust with those most affected and enabled all to draw ideas and experience from different areas of expertise. In summary, as a society we have a responsibility to protect vunerable individuals such as children who are reliant on their caregivers. Research on child protection has been fragmented with each perspective having something to contribute. We have something to learn from many of the psychological perspectives. Adopting a social psychology perspective would enable a strategic approach of creating prevention programs that address issues before intervention is required.
References
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 06/08/2007 Intervention plan meets hostility from Indigenous leaders
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s1998092.htm%20retrieved%2029%20August%202007 retrieved 29 August 2007
Department of the Chief Minister (2007) Closing the gap of indigenous disadvantage.
http://www.action.nt.gov.au/plan_of_action/docs/closing_the_gap.pdf
retrieved 29 August 2007
Anderson, J. (2006) Revisiting Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory to Better Understand and Assist Victims of Intimate Personal Violence. Women & Criminal justice 17(1) 99-124
Baumeister, R.F. & Bushman, B.J. (2007) Social psychology and human nature. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
Chalk, R., Gibbons, A., & Scarupa, H. J. (2002). The multiple dimensions of child abuse and neglect: New insights into an old problem. Child Trends Research Brief.
http://www.ddcf.org/doris_duke_files/download_files/ChildAbuseRB.pdf
retrieved 28 August 2007
Gelles, R.F. (1997) Intimate violence in families (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78.
Shonkoff, J. & Phillips, D. (eds). (2000) From Neurons to neighbourhoods. The science of early child development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Smith, S. M., Hanson, R. & Noble, S. (1975), Parents of battered children: a controlled study. In: Concerning Child Abuse, ed. A. W. Franklin. New York: Churchill-Livingston.
Tomison, A. (undated) Preventing child abuse and other family violence: Issues for professionals. Australian Institute of Family Studies. http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/papers/tomison8.pdf
retrieved 29 August 2007
Wiggins, C, Fenichel, E. & Mann, T. (2007) Literature Review: Developmental Problems of Maltreated Children and Early Intervention Options for Maltreated Children
Appendices
Self evaluation of Blog
Theory - P
I have tried to include applicable social psychology perspectives.
Research - CR
A range of reference material was used to support the points I made through assessment item one.
Written Expression - P
I have attempted to use APA format however referencing has always been a weak point for me so I am not sure if there are some errors in how I reference.
My Text Readability could certainly be improved:
Word count : 1150
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Level : 15
Flesch-Kincaid Grade : 17
Gunning-Fog Index : 26
Online Engagement - P
Blog 1 has been a development process of becoming comfortable with “blogging” and I have made some attempt to engage with others.
I have made some comments but have probably gained more from others than what I have shared. However, now that I am more confident I will also be engaging more in the Social Psychology student community.
2 comments:
the concept map is very small - can you try uploading a larger size?
Official Essay Feedback
Overall
A difficult topic to tackle, and you covered some of the relevant psychological theories pertaining to it (and I don't tihnk you could cover all of them). There were several ways you could have tackled this - perhaps the impact of another group (perhaps an outgroup) trying to effect change on an ingroup.
Theory
Abuse theory has moved away from the idea that if you have been abused you're more likely to abuse (although Bandura's theory would support it). More detail on prejudice and stereotyping would have been beneficial I think.
Research
You talk about child abuse rather than sexual abuse- whilst there are definite similarites betwenn child abuse and child sexual abuse, my understanding is the government interventions are focused on reducing child sexual abuse (but hopefully both will be reduced). I note your comments that educational programs would be beneficial, but not being introduced.
Written Expression
Occasional typo's and grammatical errors. Difficult to read your concept map. Well set out, and easy to read. A more descriptive/creative title for your blog would be better.
Online Engagement
I see your blogging is picking up. Keep posting interesting topics you find, and also comment on other people's blogs- they will then be more likely to post back to you.
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