People come from different backgrounds
INTRODUCTION
Children and teenagers are a significant group of people in society, calling for a particular level of attention from their parents or guardians. The monitoring practices start from the development stages with much concentration offered to their health conditions, interaction protocols, and identification of suitable society that they can live. The stated acts have a direct impact on the child’s behavior at their teenage stages and adulthood. Despite the fact that the paper will concentrate on the issues of child growth and their development, there is a need to look at the point of discipline among the parents as it also has an impact on the child’s mental health. The parent’s discipline issues play an integral part in setting life trends and also preparing these children on how best they can live in the current society. Political and economic problems in the current generation influence a child’s upbringing and setting up of trends in society. People are left with minimal options but to adhere to the set guidelines that are being issued by the various administrators in departments. Similarly, it is a factor that determines the conditions of living and the status of their mind in case they draw interest in performing any actions in society. Different approaches can be used to analyze these concepts based on the perception that people come from different backgrounds and express diverse actions when making requests.
Purpose
The paper will offer an analysis of some concepts linked to a child’s growth and development in society. The paper will concentrate on the following topics; the major developmental theories for children and adolescents in society. Secondly, attention will be paid to the impact of the current trends on developing children and adolescents. Lastly, the paper will look into the impact of geography on the sequence of development among these children and youth.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Various factors affect the ways of life in our society, calling for some levels of change to improve the child’s way of growth and development. It is further believed that the different geographic regions where we live are affected by certain reasons, which influences the identification of an area where we can live. On the other hand, the change in political activities in the country will create a shift in the economic patterns setting trends of life in a particular region. Therefore, people are left with the option of adjusting to the current ways of living in comparison to the previous ways of life that were being witnessed in a given place. Nevertheless, little attention is paid to the developmental theories linked to child growth and development. Character is influenced by the type of groups they join as they grow in a given region. On the other hand, the parents need to pay significant attention to nutrition practices as it influences the brain cell development and abilities to make decisions.
IMPACT OF GEOGRAPHY IN THE SEQUENCE OF DEVELOPMENT
It is stated by Chen, Lai, He, & Yu (2020) that lives are always lived out in cities, neighborhoods, and states. Additionally, the authors further comment that these regions’ physical and social features have a direct impact on the behaviors, thoughts, and emotional experiences of these people. It is essential to look into geographical psychology phenomenon based on its numerous levels of geographical analysis and their associations to macro societal outcomes. Paying attention to the geographical perspective will help provide unique ways of understanding the interactions between people’s psychological processes and the distal macro-environments (Chen, Lai, He, & Yu, 2020). Further sentiments can be linked to the model of interactions exhibited by people based on their geographical location and how they respond to specific activities and actions in society. For example, the aspect of personality, individualism, cultural practices, and their wellbeing are major determinants towards an individual’s way of reaction while in the society.
People from particular neighborhoods display a certain way of interaction in a society that can currently be described as marking the (hood) place of origin. There are minimal chances of these classes of people interacting and having a common goal towards a given activity/project in society. For instance, the wealthy people living in a given region will have a sense of belonging over some activities and have unique modes of treatment towards people of another region. Nevertheless, there is a need to look into the factors that people often consider as they search for where they can live. It is likely based on the motive of character that they would like their children to possess or finding a class of peers that could interact with their children as they grow. On the other hand, the identification of these regions to live is also affiliated with the individual’s economic status. They will have to stay in areas that they can comfortably pay with minimal interferences.
Noticeable Waves
Similarly, it is pointed out by Chen, Lai, He, & Yu (2020) that there are noticeable waves between the 1940s and 60s with much concentration shifted towards people’s psychological characteristics across nations. The waves look at the nature of life that was being experienced by people in that era. There were no specific theories used during these waves’ research practices to substantiate the characteristics across these nations. Different factors led to the chronological existence of these waves. Chen, Lai, He, & Yu (2020) point out that the first wave of geographical research was receded for several decades. The development of personality theories and tools led to the Five-Factor Model (FFM). It further helped in looking into the national differences in psychology in the 1990s and the 200s. Additionally, the article points out the causes of the differences in these waves regarding the psychological phenomena. Chen, Lai, He, & Yu (2020) further cluster these causes into three sections, which are selective migration, social influence, and ecological influence.
Environmental Identity Development
The Environmental Identity Development model looks into the aspect of a child’s self-cognition progression in relation to the natural world. Some of the information is borrowed from the four of Erikson’s psychological stages to consider a child’s identity development in the acts of learning in, about, and for the environment (Green, Kalvaitis, & Worster, 2016). The model also looks into the aspect of the abilities of an individual’s willingness to act for the environment. Issues of behavior will often take center stage in this activity, evaluating the factors that are likely to be considered when an individual is to tale a decision over some issues. Additionally, this model focuses on both the psychological and contemporary sociological identifications of childhood. There is a need to know that children are valued as active agents and will often have the opportunity to provide a fresh lens that will be used in considering how the experiences in the natural world play an integral part in informing a child’s growing self-concept. According to Green, Kalvaitis, & Worster (2016), the model can be utilized as a theoretical lens for interpreting early childhood environmental education (ECEE) and early childhood education for sustainability (ECEfS). The article also looks into the comfort and discomfort in the natural world as they analyze the provision of a healthy environment for identity development. There is a need to look at the factors that help in the nature of a bond of trust among children and the creation of a sense of place in society
The use of Erickson’s psychological stages of development is an important concept for understanding how young children in the community form trusting relationships and bonds with adults supporting their development. Similarly, Erickson makes a declaration that these children’s identity often unfolds in various ways through alternative contexts and experiences. It is further supported by Green, Kalvaitis, & Worster (2016) that the identification will only occur when the child is able to successfully overcome the foundational dilemmas that are presented in every stage. Instances, where the dilemma is not successfully mastered, will lead the child to find alternative measures to gain these competencies lacking in his or her healthy sense of self. On the other hand, there is a need to look at the factors linked towards child development with their different stages of growth while in society, as it also has a later impact on their choice of places to live. Similarly, the publication by Green, Kalvaitis, & Worster (2016) shows the need to understand environmental education and other disciplines associated with children. Nevertheless, concentration on the provided cognition needs among children, there is a need to revisit and add the missing requirements to attain sustained experiences with nature.
Some comparisons can further be made towards the issues of trust and mistrust in society in relation to eth children. However, through the positive interactions in the natural environment in which these children are living, the infants will often begin to see themselves as a part of the environment. The parents/guardians will strive towards consistent encounters with the infants with actions like taking them outside and talking about the natural surroundings (Green, Kalvaitis, & Worster, 2016). It is further stated that the instances of inconsistent encounters in nature may create levels of mistrust or fear of nature among these infants. As we analyze the impact of geography in the sequence of development, the limited impact is derived from the children as the parents are the significant players in the identification of where to live.
IMPACT OF CURRENT TRENDS ON DEVELOPING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
System Changes in Communities
It is confirmed that the systematic changes witnessed in society and public services have a direct influence on communities, children, and families. Rouf (2015) further comments that the implementation of neoliberal ideologies is considered to be rolling back the welfare state. There is a need to look at the foundations of social justice principles, which have an effect on society, potentially making it less effective in meeting the vulnerable people’s needs. However, psychologists are finding a way of operating with people in society to find the best way of alleviating suffering and improving life chances. Nevertheless, the attainment of this goal is based on eth trust levels offered by the public who are considered to be a vulnerable group in society. There are minimal levels of equality in the current generation as certain conditions need to be fulfilled to achieve a particular target in society. For example, Rouf (2015) claims that he grew in a mixed ethnic background around Liverpool during economic austerity. His family experienced major difficulties, distress, and financial problems, making the attainment of universal and specialist services inevitable. These conditions further offered a demonstration of how families can easily fall into hardship, forcing them to ask for help. It is further supported that social justice issues are the heart of psychologists in society, in its endeavors to alleviate the aspect of suffering and maximize the people’s life chances.
Universal Services
According to Rouf’s (2015) interpretations, universal services are considered to be regulated and designed to be accessible by every individual in the society. It was recognized through the welfare state that arose from the Beveridge Report’s recommendations in 1942. The author further makes claims that the 1945 Labor Government paid significant concentration on the issues of infrastructure welfare for people in society with its emphasis on matters of housing, education, income, employment, and health. In the long-run, the increase in such investments led to a significant reduction in the unemployment levels and economic hardships of many people. There is a need to look at the Human Rights Act of 1998, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989, and the Equity Act of 2010 that are focusing on the issues of clear social, moral, and ethical frameworks of equality (Rouf, 2015). Discrimination among children in society affects their interaction levels and wishes to associate with any individual irrespective of their backgrounds.
Sustainable Development Goals
There is a need to find the most suitable approach to improve the current status of living among families and children in society. Children and adolescents have various needs in the community; however, looking into their health id currently taking a back seat in development strategies. According to Alfvén, et al. (2019), the issue of child health should be the main itinerary relating to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Having a majority of sick children is society has an indirect impact towards the type of generation that we may have in the later dates. The concept of advancing global child and adolescent health involves a much detailed practice that the aspect of achieving gains towards the under-five and neonatal mortality targets that are under the UN’s 2030 Agenda (Alfvén, et al., 2019). Additionally, the public is advised not to concentrate on having the youngest survive, the acts of recognizing and realizing these children’s rights. It is to help in the acts of thriving and leading to fulfilling their lives throughout their lives. The act of using mortality indicators as a monitoring process hardly offers a comprehensive picture of the disease burden born by children and adolescents. It is further considered as a poor benchmark in the act of measuring how best to ensure the next generation’s wellbeing. Alfvén also supports it, et al. (2019) that all children and youth need to thrive and get empowered with sufficient resilience to withstand the looming global challenges like climate changes, forced migrations, and the increasing non-communicable diseases.
SDGs and Multi-sectorial Action
The practices of identification and capitalizing on the interconnections within and between the SDGs and their convergence on the health and wellbeing of the youth and children is a crucial practice. However, its focus is on the promotion of effective multi-sectoral partnerships that will help in strengthening the sustainability and resilience of the health and social systems. Similarly, understanding the nature of the suggested interlinks will be instrumental as the harnessing synergies may help in opening up the possible win-win opportunities. It is further seconded by Alfvén, et al. (2019) that political instability in a country leaves the health and demand for global investments in jeopardy. It is a key factor in interlinking nature and child health by situating child health within the complex framework of the stated SDGs and the engagement of various stakeholders.
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Emotions are a very significant aspect that a parent or guardian should understand towards a child’s wellbeing. According to Bennett, Larkin, Pincham, & Fearon (2018), emotion understanding refers to the act of accurately predicting or understanding of an individual’s emotional response based on an accepting the person’s context. However, this practice likely depends on emotion recognition that has been subjected to extensive research. Still, this recognition is one element of the more sophisticated ability to read emotions and read an individual’s behavior. The Theory of Mind can help understand that a particular group of people have thoughts over a given situation and that others’ cognition may not be similar to that of others. It is further seconded that this practice can be measured with false-belief tests that will later require an understanding that is possible for a person to hold a belief about a given situation and is not the same from reality (Bennett, Larkin, Pincham, & Fearon, 2018). As the child grows, we tend to view different aspects of emotional understanding based on their ages, and individual differences in emotion understanding are visible in early childhood. It further remains significant in middle childhood gaining stability within time and across multiple facets of emotion processing. Bennett, Larkin, Pincham, & Fearon (2018) also state that the deficits of emotion understanding have a direct link to various markets of psychological distress and poorer educational outcomes in childhood. However, the ability to reading a child’s mind is highly linked to the association that the intended individual has with the child. It plays an integral part in drawing accurate conclusions about what the child may be thinking of.
Mental Health Problems
It is further stated by Heary, Hennessy, Swords, & Corrigan (2017) that the majority of the children and youth that are living with mental health problems experience sigma emerging from their peers. The authors further argue that the social context of children and youth in society is vital in the aspect of understanding the development and maintenance of sigma towards the people suffering from mental health issues. It is alongside the changing developmental needs and abilities of these children and teenagers. Heary, Hennessy, Swords, & Corrigan (2017) also offer an argument that the theory proposed to make explanations to the development of stereotypes and prejudice among children has a potential framework for the acts of integrating the existing findings. The utilization of this research (stigma related concepts) among children and the youth will help provide direction on further research. Nevertheless, the need for interventions grounded within the developmental science documentation explicitly states that the theory of change is looked at as key research priorities for reducing stigma during childhood and adolescence.
It is a significant huddle teaching a child suffering from any mental health-related problem as we can hardly identify the section of help that can be offered to the child. On the other hand, the Developmental Intergroup Theory could guide future research programs on the origins of mental health stereotypes and prejudice among children (Heary, Hennessy, Swords, & Corrigan, 2017). The application of the theory is based on the acts of highlighting the importance of the developmental origins of stereotypes and prejudice. Secondly, there is a need to advocate for the role of the theory in guiding future research programs related to mental health stigma.
Depression in Children and Teenagers
The current generation of children and teenagers is profoundly affected by depression. However, Malhotra & Sahoo (2018) point out that the increasing levels of depression among these children and teenagers pose a significant risk in the developmental trajectory. It is a vital aspect to have the ideal figure of the antecedents of depression in these vulnerable groups. Similarly, Malhotra & Sahoo (2018) comment that the antecedents were classified into biological factors, cognitive vulnerability, temperament, family, and academic factors, among others. Additionally, it is pointed out that the physiological and psychological factors are important in the development of depression among children and the youth. The sole objective of the practice is to develop specific and compelling preventable techniques and strategies that can help improve these children’s way of life.
It is further proven that the research carried out in the last two decades demonstrates that the manifestations of depression among children and teenagers are not similar to that of adults (Malhotra & Sahoo, 2018). It is also reported that the onset of anxiety disorders among children is witnessed as early as five years. However, once keen exploration is done, these behaviors can be detected even in toddlers and infants. Some of these signs are based on inconsolable crying, refusing to feed, and inadequate growth even when under proper diet, and irritability. Childhood and adolescence are different growth phases characterized by modifications on an individual’s development and the various major social contexts (Malhotra & Sahoo, 2018). However, the biological changes that are witnessed in the childhood stage and puberty in the socio-environmental milieu have a key role in an individual’s psychological make-up.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The act of looking after children and teenagers is a complex activity calling for a keep approach to the various activities that they get indulged in while in the society, at home and with their peers. There is a need to apply some of the suggested theories when raising a child as it will act as a monitoring tool over a child’s health and brain development. On the other hand, parents need to have more concentration on moral practices that are being exhibited by teenagers. The peer groups they join have a major role in the charters that they possess, as it may later lead to depression and stigma. It is also believed that these disorders among children have affected the stability of some families leading to neglect of responsibilities by these parents. On the other hand, cognitive vulnerability issues are an erroneous belief or pattern of thought that will predispose an individual to psychological problems. Nevertheless, the vulnerability of the matter exists before the symptoms of a psychological disorder gets visible, and after the affected person is exposed to a stressful experience.
Current trends have a major influence on families with many reflexes linked towards the children’s behaviors, interconnection action, and status of living. Different communities rely on certain motives and ideologies in case a given activity is to be implemented. For example, it is not easy for families to attain the various basic needs based on the fact that there are economic inequalities in these communities. On the other hand, the factor of poverty leaves some of the families striving for support from donor funds and well-wishers to offer some medical help. On the other hand, minimal attention is paid to the aspect of Child Rights despite the fact that there are many laws that have been passed to enforce issues of equity in society. Nevertheless, the problems of inequality in our societies are also linked to a model of leadership and the act of setting priority goals under a particular time. For example, the SDGs are proving to be a challenge among countries as little concentration is being put to children’s health, which is indirectly affecting the entire globe.
Lastly, ten geographical sequence plays an integral part in influencing locations where an individual is likely to live. Additionally, this sequence is also linked to the character and behavior that will be displayed by these clusters of people in society. For instance, the concept of individualism is a significant huddle to development in an area and the interaction levels that will be witnessed in the area. Therefore, it can be concluded that various factors push an individual to live in a particular area. For instance, people from particular neighborhoods display a certain way of interaction in a society that can currently be described as marking the (hood) place of origin. There are minimal chances of these classes of people to interact and have a common goal towards a given activity/project in society. The upbringing of a child from a given region influences their chances of trusting certain activities in relation to the reality of the matter. There is a big difference once a child fails to create trust levels with a particular individual, forcing them to seek alternative measures of establishing a correlation between the truth and current situations.
References
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