PROFESSIONAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN - RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES (FROM CHILD ABUSE AND VIOLENCE, 1979 BY DAVID G GIL - SEE NCJ-56404)

• NCJ Number: 56412
• Author(s): J W POLIER
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: AMS Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, V 45, N 3 (APRIL 1975)

Annotation

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOCIAL WORKERS, PHYSICIANS, JUDGES, AND OTHERS WHOSE DECISIONS AFFECT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

WAYS IN WHICH THE MEMBERS OF MANY DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS EXERCISE DECISIONMAKING POWER OVER THE LIVES OF CHILDREN WHEN THEY DETERMINE WHETHER SERVICES ARE TO BE DENIED OR GRANTED, WHAT SERVICES ARE TO BE DELIVERED, OR HOW A CHILD WILL BE DEALT WITH BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED. THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS TAKEN TO TASK FOR USING THE CONCEPT OF PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY TO CLOAK ITS OWN ABUSES AND SHORTCOMINGS. THE TENDENCY FOR SOCIAL AGENCIES TO BE MORE CONCERNED WITH THEIR OWN STATUS THAN WITH THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR CLIENTS IS CRITICIZED, AS IS THE PRACTICE OF GRANTING SERVICES ONLY TO CLIENTS DEEMED LIKELY TO SUCCEED WHILE DENYING ASSISTANCE TO THOSE MOST IN NEED. THE DESIRABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL DETACHMENT IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN IS QUESTIONED. JUDICIAL DECISIONS REGARDING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF CHILDREN TO TREATMENT AND SERVICES ARE DISCUSSED. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVICE PROVIDERS NOT TO IGNORE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND OTHER VIOLATIONS OF CHILDREN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IS BROUGHT OUT, AS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL PROFESSIONALS TO ADDRESS BROAD SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO CHILDREN. PROFESSIONALS ARE URGED TO PUT AN END TO APATHY, ALIENATION, AND HOSTILITY TOWARD CHILDREN AND TO INSIST THAT SOCIETY PROVIDE WHAT IS NEEDED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN. (LKM)