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CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES

THAT INFLUENCE CARIBBEAN


FAMILY LIFE

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SOCIAL ISSUES
Social issues are defined as behaviour that:
A large section of the population thinks is undesirable
or unacceptable
Directly or indirectly affects large numbers of people
Conflicts with what society generally agrees to be right
or good
Is generally viewed as a problem
Is not easily solved
Social issues are complex and
difficult to solve.
Social issues have consequences
for society as a whole but also
affect individuals and families.
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JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Juvenile Delinquency is the term used to
describe antisocial and sometimes criminal
behaviour carried out by young people.
Many factors can contribute towards
delinquency, such as an abusive home, poor
parent to child communication and negative
peer pressure.
Strategies to help a juvenile delinquent:
Having after school life-skills classes
Arranging parenting skills sessions with a
psychologist or guidance counsellor.

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STREET CHILDREN
Street children are deprived of homes, affection,
protection, food and education.
They suffer poor health and constantly face the
threat of violence. They may beg for money and
some join gangs because they feel the need for a
family.
Strategies to prevent children from being on the
streets include:
Providing greater numbers of foster parents
Day centres to provide food and health care
Counselling to assist with trauma
Facilities to teach vocational (trade) skills
Specialist educational facilities
Childcare for the children of street children

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are passed from ones
person to another through sexual contact. Many common
STIs can be cured. Left untreated, some can lead to serious
long-term health problems, infertility and even death.
Some examples of the more common STIs include:
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes
Gonorrhea (the clap)
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Human Papillomavirus (HPV/Genital Warts)
Pubic Lice (Crabs)
Scabies
Syphilis
Yeast Infections
HIV

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SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
The MOST serious STI is the HIV virus which
can lead to a person developing AIDS.
Ways to prevent STIs include:
Sex Education
Access to birth control measures
such as condoms which can reduce infection rates

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Human trafficking is about moving persons
against their will, by force, coercion or fraud,
away from their usual place of residence to
another location. It is most commonly
associated with the transport of children and
women for the purposes of forced labour or
sexual exploitation.

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HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The Caribbean region is a location for the
supply, transit and destination for trafficked
persons.
Strategies to combat human trafficking include:
Prevention: educating potential victims about the
dangers
Protection: by supporting victims if they act as
witnesses
Prosecution: charging those who traffic persons
and their clients
Reintegration: counsel victims by providing
support services such as shelters, education,
financial assistance and job placement.

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ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES
There are several alternative lifestyles that
are felt by many to be unacceptable.
For example, people can choose to live a
promiscuous lifestyle with many sexual
partners.
Others may choose to be with people of
the same sex. These people are called
homosexuals.
Some people see such lifestyles as
challenging the accepted and established
patterns of family and society.
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TEENAGE PREGNANCY
Teenage pregnancy is a troubling social
issue because a young mother can face
risks to her physical health, especially
when giving birth, and also her emotional
and psychological well-being:
There may be a strain on family relationships
and finances.
Her education will be
disrupted and may even end.
She and her child may
have to face poor outcomes.

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CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse can take a number of forms
including:
1. NEGLECT
2. PHYSICAL
3. SEXUAL
4. EMOTIONAL

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INCEST
Incest is any sexual relations between
biologically related siblings or children and
biological parents or any other adult in the
family which is related to you by blood.
Research suggests that incest occurs
across all social classes but some factors
may increase this occurrence, mainly if the
members of the family have to share the
same bedroom or the same bed.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence involves an attack on one
family member by another. It undermines the
safety and security of the home.
It is also psychologically damaging because
it involves violence and terror at the hands of
those who should be most trusted.
It usually occurs to women but can occur to
men as well.

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DESERTION
Desertion occurs when one partner in a
relationship leaves without having any
intention to return.
It is more common where a man leaving his
wife and family, although it does occur where
a woman deserts her husband and family.
Desertion is not a grounds for divorce but a
woman could request maintenance from her
partner if children are involved.
A deserted family may face:
Financial hardship
Negative emotional and psychological effects

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POVERTY
Poverty is usually considered in relation to
the general level of wealth of others in
society.
Poverty can affect health and nutrition and
deprive young people of some possibilities
and opportunities.
Poverty affects individuals differently. Some
become resigned to it, which others are
motivated to escape by succeeding in
education or a career/business venture.
Some become desperate and turn to crime to
obtain money.

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CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND
THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Traditionally, it was expected that the
children take care of the adults in their old
age.
However, in todays society, families are
experiencing changes which make it difficult
for them to take care of their parents and
grandparents.

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CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND
THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
These include:
Children migrating
Children having more than one
jobs
Increased HIV/AIDS cases
among the younger generation
which make it difficult to take
care of the elderly
Children not having the time
because it is very time-
consuming and they may not
be able to work.

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Strategies and Impact of Social Issues
A general strategy to deal with most of the
social issues mentioned above is to
improve education to provide them with
the attitudes and skills to help them avoid
poor choices.
While the impacts vary, the main effects of
social issues on the family life include:
Extra financial stress and burdens
Conflict in or break-up of the family
Alienation of family members
Negative health effects
Children being deprived of proper parenting
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HOW TO BE A GOOD PARENT:

Becoming a parent is not something to do


without careful thought and preparation
about all the implications or consequences.
Preparation for parenthood includes
physical, emotional, psychological and
practical aspects.
Good parenting requires certain knowledge,
skills and attitudes.

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HOW TO BE A GOOD PARENT:

Factors that assist in the


preparation for parenthood:
1. Physical Maturity and Health
2. Financial Resources
3. Emotional and Psychological
Readiness
4. Obtaining proper knowledge and skills
Characteristics of good parenting:
1. Knowledge
2. Skills
3. Attitude
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