Empowerment Of Children Research Articles

Empowering Children with Disabilities through Communication and Social Skills

The study focuses on the empowerment of disabled children at the Community-Based Rehabilitation Center (CBR) in Kubang Pasu, Kedah, Malaysia. The objective of the study is to examine the communication and social skills of children with disabilities attending CBR based on parents' perspective. This study is quantitative in nature where data collection is done using the survey method involving parents/guardians who send their children/wards to CBR. A total of 95 respondents were involved in this study from the 137 trainee population. Findings show that the number of disabled children with a good, moderate and low levels of communication and social skills is almost the same at 35.79%, 32.63%, and 30.53% respectively. It is found that the relationship between age, and communication and social skills of children with disabilities have a moderately positive relationship, where the improvement of skills is aligned with the increment in age. Further, communication and social skills are different for all categories of PWD. Overall, this study found that CBRs are effective in empowering disabled children to participate in formal education.

The evaluation of an integrated network approach of preventive care for children with overweight and obesity; study protocol for an implementation and effectiveness study

BackgroundChildren with overweight often do not receive appropriate integrated care. An innovative integrated network approach of preventive care for overweight children aged 4–12 years old has been developed and implemented in four neighbourhoods of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. This new approach focusses on self-management of the family and is based on the principles of stepped and matched care. Youth health care (YHC) nurses support the families in their new role as central care providers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of this network approach.MethodsThe implementation of the new approach (reach, functioning of the central care provider, network functioning and patient satisfaction) is assessed by interviews and checklists with professionals and parents of 4–12 year old overweight or obese children. To evaluate effectiveness, we aim to compare 120 overweight or obese children in ‘s-Hertogenbosch with 60 overweight or obese children outside ‘s-Hertogenbosch during one year of YHC involvement. Quality of life, psychosocial problems of the child and parental empowerment are the main outcomes of the effectiveness study. Outcomes are measured with digital questionnaires at inclusion, at three months and one year after inclusion. BMI measurements and referrals are distracted from medical files.DiscussionIntegrated care for overweight and obese children is high on the agenda of many municipalities in The Netherlands. The new approach is expected to have beneficial effects for overweight children, their parents and professionals. With the results of this study, we can optimize the support for overweight and obese children and their parents. The first results are expected to be available in 2019.Trial registrationThis study is registered in the Dutch Trial Register on 10 November 2017 (NTR number NTR6813). https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6596Word count: 281 (max 350).

The paradox of citizenship education in early years (and beyond): The case of education to fundamental British values

In April 2015, the Early Years Inspection Handbook instructed inspectors to make a judgement on the effectiveness of leadership and management to actively promote British values in the settings. This contribution discusses the paradoxical position of fundamental British values within the cultures of education underpinning the curricular framework for early years education in England, the early years foundation stage. The introduction of education to fundamental British values as a statutory requirement for early years settings will be discussed within its historical background, linked to the arduous journey of citizenship education to its inclusion in English curricula. This historical review aims to position education to fundamental British values in early years within a much broader cultural process within education, towards the reconceptualisation of the citizenship as one of the outcomes of successful educational planning. Having positioned education to fundamental British values in early years in a powerful cultural movement within the education system, this contribution will interrogate the Early Years Inspection Handbook, early years foundation stage and other education policies via the methodology of document analysis. The aim of the analytical procedure is to explore the intersection between education to fundamental British values and the cultures of education in the early years foundation stage, to advance an assessment of the possibilities and implication of the inclusion of citizenship as an object of early years education. Such assessment suggests that the concept of child-initiated pedagogy introduced in the early years foundation stage has the potential to address children’s meanings and experience of citizenship as practised and experienced, with obvious implication for the empowerment of children’s agency. However, this requires the support of a pedagogy and analysis allowing children and young people to develop skills for critical thinking and political change.

Peran Sikola Mangkasara dalam Pembentukan Karakter Anak

This study aims to find out: 1) What forms of coaching are done in Sikola Mangkasara. 2) What are the supporting and inhibiting factors of the training carried out in Sikola Mangkasara. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method, so in this study the researchers observed and interacted with Managers and coaches, coaches and instructors and the children of Sikola Mangkasara and by interviewing and reviewing their documentation. Where the approach technique used is a case study technique, using snowball sampling until the data needed is sufficient and accurate. The data analysis using analysis theory by Miles and Huberman. Based on the results of the research, it can be known that: 1) The Profile of Sikola Mangkasara, there are two point: a) A community social institution that exists as a container of coaching and energy empowerment of children and adolescents in a more positive direction. b) Able to be a special attraction with the program of coaching and training which is free to be given even scholarship for children every month.2) Forms of guidance conducted in Sikola Mangkasara in character building are carried out with various coaching activities that illustrate about there are several values that are taught and instilled in children such as religious values, politeness, self-confidence, discipline and independence, hard work, respect achievement and social sensitivity or concern. 3) Inhibiting factors in fostering and forming the character of Sikola Mangkasara's children is due to personal / innate factors of the family and social environmental factors, in this case there are many problems that violate existing values. Besides that there are supporting factors in the form of willingness and hard work from the manager and coaches in guiding children, by providing facilities in the form of places, facilities and scholarships, and starting to get support and positive responses from residents and parents of students. The role and existence of Sikola Mangkasara is obvious and very useful, it can be deduced by how the children's response with various things and positive changes that they feel during the coaching and training activities. Of course, the existence of Sikola Mangkasara is expected to contribute to the personal development and the character of children especially in children who are less attention or to be educated intentionally and sustainably.

Role of Boys’ Empowerment on Academic Achievement among Lower Primary School Boys in Mombasa County, Kenya

Boy child empowerment is a topic that is emphasized among many educationists today. It has been proven that pupils who receive proper empowerment tend to excel academically as compared to their counterparts who do not. Boys and girls need to be targets in these empowerment programmes. However, in recent years, it has been observed that boys are usually left out of the school empowerment programmes. There is no much research to explain if this is the reason as to why the academic achievement of boys in the recent years is dwindling while girls within same schools perform very well. This study sought to interrogate if there is any relationship between empowerment of the lower primary schoolboys child and his academic performance. The theory that guided this study is the empowerment theory by Zimmerman. Gaps identified in the literature reviewed include; first, there is no ready literature directly relating the role of male teachers and the academic achievement of boys. Secondly, there is also no adequate literature showing whether boys taught by predominantly female teachers perform dismally in academics. The role of attitude is not adequately researched in relation to the variables under this study. There is evidently a gap in knowledge as to whether empowering boys in early childhood influences their academic achievement positively or not. Much of the knowledge available concerns older children and this leaves the formative years unattended and under researched. This gap in knowledge made this study very relevant and critical. The study applied the descriptive research design. Purposive sampling was used to sample schools where the study will be conducted. The simple random sampling was used in coming up with the learners and teachers who would take part in the study. A pilot study was done to test the tools. Questionnaires, interview schedules, achievement test and observation checklists were used to collect data. The data was collected over a period of three months. The data was then analyzed and presented using frequency distribution tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The study concluded that; the strategies used to empower boys are effective, there are no regular empowerment programs for boys in schools, the empowerment of boys in schools face several challenges that negatively impact the boys and that the male teachers are conspicuously missing in the preschools. Practical recommendations were made to school managers, curriculum developers and policy makers.

Enhancing role of elementary school in developing sustainable disaster preparedness: a review with some examples from disaster-prone areas of Merapi

Emergencies of natural disasters often occur suddenly. In an effort to reduce disaster risk, good preparedness is needed, especially in the locations that become the center of activities, one of which is elementary school. The school is responsible for ensuring the safety of its citizens in disaster emergencies, especially elementary schools whose students are included in the vulnerable age group. On the other hand, schools as educational institutions should also be able to play a role in increasing students’ knowledge and skills concerning disasters. Students are the fastest agents of knowledge transfer from school to their families and communities. Therefore, early child empowerment to understand disaster risk reduction is very important and useful. In disaster-prone areas of Merapi eruption, there are many elementary schools. With the potential for eruption hazards in the future, it is necessary to increase the role of elementary schools in building preparedness in facing disasters. The purpose of this paper is to identify how to improve the role of elementary schools in building disaster preparedness. Through a systematic literature review of 25 journals and books in range year 2006 to 2018, both in English and Indonesian added by a variety of data. This paper tries to present the existing role of primary schools and what efforts are made in enhancing the role. The review highlights some points to enhance the role of elementary school, namely: (1) school plays a very important role in providing understanding to children. (2) Disaster Risk Management Education and disaster preparedness in schools are very important aspects as part of the daily life of the school community. (3) Schools where most of their citizens are children are often seen as vulnerable people while they can actually play a role in disaster risk reduction. (4) Many elementary schools in the disaster-prone areas of Merapi have developed disaster preparedness schools. (5) The role of primary schools can be further enhanced by increasing the role of principals and teachers, implementing disaster education, empowering the role of schools in critical situations, mapping and determining the location of renewed evacuations.

Access to Justice for Children: Towards a Specific Research and Implementation Agenda

Although the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises procedural rights of the child in addition to substantive rights, it is rather silent on the fundamental right to an effective remedy. The concept of access to justice for children has nevertheless emerged in the past decades and manifested itself firmly in the international human rights and sustainable development agendas. Access to justice is grounded in the right of the child to seek remedies in case of (alleged) rights violations. It implies legal empowerment of children and access to justice mechanisms and remedies that are child-sensitive. So far, access to justice, with a specific focus on children, lacks careful consideration, conceptualisation and contextualisation in academic research and writing. This contribution explores the meaning of access to justice for children, as a right and procedural concept, and paves the way for the development of a more specific research and implementation agenda.

Habilidades sociais e empoderamento de pais de crianças pré-escolares do público-alvo da educação especial

A família considerada o primeiro contexto social ao qual o indivíduo é inserido logo ao nascer, é responsável pela transmissão de valores que influenciam no desenvolvimento infantil. Em relação às pessoas com deficiências, os pais exercerão um papel de protagonismo na procura por profissionais e serviços que trabalharão com essas crianças, por esta razão é de extrema importância que disponham de habilidades interpessoais para realizar com sucesso tais funções. Desse modo, o presente estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar o repertório de habilidades sociais e o empoderamento de familiares de pré-escolares do Público-Alvo da Educação Especial (PAEE) e correlacionar as variáveis. Participaram 35 pais de crianças pré-escolares com diferentes condições especiais. Os mesmos responderam à Escala de Empoderamento Familiar e ao Inventário de Habilidades Sociais. Os resultados mostraram que os pais se autoavaliaram de forma muito positiva com relação ao empoderamento, mas houve grande discrepância de avaliação com relação ao próprio repertório de habilidades sociais. Além disso, os dados indicaram correlação positiva entre a escala de ‘Conhecimento’ (Empoderamento) e a de ‘Autocontrole da agressividade’ (Habilidades sociais). Sugere-se que novas pesquisas sejam realizadas para identificar classes de habilidades sociais relevantes que contribuam para empoderamento de pais de crianças do PAEE.

IMPLEMENTASI PROGRAM PEMBERDAYAAN PEREMPUAN KORBAN KEKERASAN DALAM RUMAH TANGGA DI KOTA BOGOR

The aims of the research are to describe the implementation of the program of empowering domestic violence victim women in Bogor City, to identify the supporting and inhibiting factors in implementing the program of empowering domestic violence victim women in Bogor City, and to recommend the solutions for solving the problems faced in implementing the program of empowering domestic violence victim women in Bogor City. This research uses qualitative method of research that produces descriptive data in the form of written words or oral from the people and behavior that can be observed. The results of this study indicate that the program for improving the quality of life and empowerment of women victims of domestic violence at Integrated Service Center of Women and Children Empowerment in Bogor City that is: awareness stage, problem analysis phase, phase priority problem determination, phase of finding problem solving, stage of implementing real action and evaluation phase. The problems faced by the victims who are less cooperative, limitations of the councellor in terms of quantity and time provided and facilities and infrastructure are still inadequate.Keywords: Domestic Violence, Women Empowering.

How does societal reaction to children's health issues contribute to health policy in Europe? Results of a survey.

BackgroundIn the European context the awareness of societal responsibility for children's health has increased with greater attention to children's rights and child empowerment processes. Child health issues are considered particularly sensitive; thus, they often provoke strong societal reactions, which, as a consequence, influence national health policies across Europe. Effectiveness of societal influences increases with the involvement of various actors in the context.MethodsA qualitative approach was used to identify the level of societal involvement in health decision‐making. A questionnaire was sent to the Country Agents (CAs) of the Models of Child Health Appraised (MOCHA) project. CAs are contact points in each of the 30 participating in the project countries and were asked to identify strong public and professional discussions related to child health services in their countries. Data collection was undertaken between July and December 2016.ResultsBased on 71 case studies, we identified eight thematic patterns, which characterize societal reactions to the currently worrisome child health issues across Europe. We devoted our attention to the three most controversial: child vaccination, child poverty and child abuse. The cases described by the CAs show the broad perspective in the perception of child health problems. Child health issues involve the public and raise nationwide debates. Public concerns were directly or indirectly related to child health and depicted the national overtone.ConclusionsConcerns in Europe about child health care are twofold: they are devoted to systemic issues (indirect patient orientation) and to child health and well‐being (direct patient orientation). The phenomenon of societal responsibility for children's health is important for the support of public acceptance of child health policy.

A cross‐sectional study on intergenerational parenting and attachment patterns in adult children of parents with mental illness

AbstractThe present study adds to the existing knowledge about adult children of parents with mental illness. The aim was to explore differences between adult children of parents with mental illness and parents in the general population on a range of adult relationship and parenting variables. Utilizing a cross‐sectional design, 86 adults across Australia participated in this study (47 general population; 39 adult children of parents with mental illness). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and parametric tests. Adult children of parents with mental illness were found to be more permissive in their parenting compared with parents in the general population. However, between‐group differences were not found on measures of parenting competence, adult attachment, and relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that adult children of parents with mental illness are able to thrive just as well as individuals in the general population but may require some support in the form of parental skills training. The paper concludes by highlighting the role of mental health professionals in the empowerment and resilience building of adult children of parents with mental illness.

Integrated Service for Empowerment: The Assessment of P2TP2A in 16 Provinces

The increasing number of violence against women every year raises question about the effectiveness of intergrated service programs for the women victims of violence. The government established the Integrated Service Center for Women and Children Empowerment (P2TP2A) in 2002 supported by National Commission on Violence against Women (KOMNAS Perempuan) in the effort to provide protection and empowerment of women victims of violence. However, the increasingly diverse forms of violence against women have resulted in complex needs of the victims. The question arises whether the function and performance role of P2TP2A has fully answered the needs of victims or not. This article focuses on assessments conducted by KOMNAS Perempuan and Forum Pengada Layanan (FPL) in 16 provinces to re-examine the role of P2TP2A's functions and performance in meeting the needs of victims. Based on the findings of the assessment, there are still shortcomings in the system and performance of P2TP2A in providing victims’ needs, such as lack of awareness as service providers, coordination problems among institutions and limited budget. This assessment uses in-depth interviews and document studies, by including the lessons from the P2TP2A Surakarta city, Bandung district and Central Java Province.

Kids in Action: the protocol of a Youth Participatory Action Research project to promote physical activity and dietary behaviour

IntroductionIn this study, researchers collaborate with children from a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions targeting their health behaviours. This Youth Participatory Action Research project...

Current Mesoamerican Couples: Cultural Heritage; Families in Transition; Sustainable Relationships

In order to describe the development and status of couples of any region, the historic, psychological and socio-cultural ecosystem in which they unfold must be specified. For this paper, the roots of Mesoamerican-Hispanic couples are described with emphasis on the norms and values that underlie the beliefs and behavioral patterns of contemporary males and females of this vast region. In a second section, the effects of modernization and female and child empowerment on traditional roles and couple relationships is covered. A third section is devoted to the analysis of the impact on family function and structure due to migration and acculturation of Mexicans and Central Americans who move north. As a corollary, an extensive description of research on the variables conducive to relationship maintenance with Mexican males and females is presented.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene practices mediate the association between women's empowerment and child length-for-age z-scores in Nepal.

In Nepal, more than one-third of children are stunted. Prior studies have shown that women's empowerment in agriculture is associated with child (<2years) length-for-age z-scores (LAZ) in Nepal. This study tests whether child dietary diversity (DD) and household water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities and practices mediate the associations between women's empowerment and LAZ. With a cross-sectional dataset of 4,080 households from 240 rural communities across 16 districts of Nepal, we used ordinary least squares regression models to first estimate the associations between women's empowerment and LAZ for children 6 to 24months (n=1,402; our previous published analysis included all children <24months of age), using the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index's Five Domains of Empowerment subindex. We used standardized structural equation models to test whether child DD and/or household WASH mediated the association between women's empowerment and child LAZ. Overall, women's empowerment was positively associated with child LAZ (β=0.24, P=0.03), as found in our previous analyses. In the mediation analysis, women's empowerment was positively associated with WASH (β=0.78, P<0.001), and in turn child LAZ (β=0.09, P<0.001). Women's empowerment was not associated with DD, but DD was associated with LAZ (β=0.06, P=0.05). Empowered women had better WASH practices than nonempowered women, which translated into higher child LAZ. Child DD was not a mediating factor in the association between women's empowerment and child LAZ. More research is needed to explore other pathways by which women's empowerment may affect child nutrition outcomes.

Organizational Commitment of Non-Profit Organization Volunteers: A Study on the Save Street Child (SSC) Organization in Malang City, Indonesia

Save Street Child (SSC) is a nonprofit organization in which its main activity is focused on the empowerment of the street children. This research aims at analyzing the effect of organizational culture on organizational commitment, analyzing the job satisfaction as the mediating variable of the organizational culture’s influence on the organizational commitment, and analyzing the volunteering tenure as the moderating variable of the organizational culture’s influence on the organizational commitment. This research involved all of 63 volunteers in SSC organization in Malang City as respondents. Closed questionnaires were used to collect the primary data. Further, the data were analyzed by using the PLS (Partial Least Square). The research results show that the organizational culture affects the job satisfaction, whereas the organizational culture does not have any influence on the organizational commitment. In addition, the job satisfaction influences the organizational commitment, and it also becomes the mediating variable of the influence of the organizational culture on the organizational commitment. The last finding also shows that the volunteering tenure is not the moderating variable of the organizational culture’s influence on the organizational commitment. This study is useful for understanding organizational culture, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment in nonprofit organizations.

The impact of community-based health insurance on health-related quality of life and associated factors in Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

BackgroundQuality of life can be used to measure the effect of intervention on health related conditions. Health insurance contributes positive effect on availability of medical supplies and empowerment of women and children on financial healthcare. Therefore, the study was aimed to measure the impact of Community-Based Health Insurance on HRQoL and associated socio-demographic factors.MethodsA comparative community based cross-sectional study was employed. Data was collected by trained enumerators using World Health Organization QoL-BREF tool from a sample of 1964 (982 CBHI insured and 982 un-insured) household heads selected by probability proportional to size. A descriptive summery, simple and multiple linear regression analysis was applied to describe the functional predictors of HRQoL. The study was ethically approved by IRB of Wolkite University.ResultsThe HRQoL score among CBHI insured family heads was 63.02 and 58.92 for un-insured family heads. The overall variation in HRQoL was explained due to; separated marital condition which reduced the HRQoL by 4.30% than those living together [β = − 0.044, 95% CI (− 5.67, − 0.10)], daily laborer decreased HRQoL by 7.50% [β = − 0.078, 95% CI (− 12.91, − 4.10)], but employment increased by 5.65% than farmers [β = 0.055, 95% CI (2.58, 17.59)]. QoL increased by 6.4 and 6.93% among primary and secondary level educated household heads than those household heads who could not read and write [β = 0.062, 95% CI (0.75, 4.31)] and [β = 0.067, 95% CI (1.84, 7.99)], respectively. As family size increased by one households’ head, HRQoL decreased by 18.21% [β = − 0.201, 95% CI (− 2.55, − 1.63)], as wealth index increased by one unit, HRQoL decreased by 32.90% [β = − 0.306, 95% CI (− 5.15, − 3.86)] and QoL among CBHI insured household heads increased by 12.41% than those un-insured family heads [β = 0.117, 95% CI (2.98, 6.16)].ConclusionsThe study revealed that significant difference in quality of life was found among the two groups; health insurance had positive effect on quality of life. Triggered, the government shall expand the scheme into other similar areas’ and further efforts should be made on the scheme service satisfaction to ensure its continuity.

“O Jefferson falou que o meu cabelo é feio, é ruim”: cabelo crespo e empoderamento de meninas negras na creche

Discutimos neste artigo a questão do empoderamento das identidades infantis negras a partir da desconstrução dos estereótipos de beleza, considerando o cabelo crespo, a pele negra e as culturas infantis, no contexto de uma creche da Rede Municipal de São Paulo. A pesquisa evidencia como o toque e as formas de cuidar, pentear, enfeitar o cabelo retratam fortes mensagens para as meninas negras nas relações que elas estabelecem com as professoras e com outras crianças, para a construção positiva de suas identidades. Utilizamos como referência a Sociologia da Infância para investigar o ponto de vista das crianças, compreendendo-as como atores sociais portadoras de história e produtoras de cultura. As relações étnico-raciais e de gênero também se configuram como categorias de análise dos dados coletados. Os resultados indicam a relevância de investigações que abordem os diferentes aspectos das complexas e intrincadas relações entre gênero, raça e infâncias no cotidiano das creches.

Exclusions in social inclusion projects: Struggles in involving children in digital technology development

AbstractWhile social inclusion projects have centred on digital technology for a long time now, they have remained silent about educating and empowering children to act as technology makers and shapers, not merely passive users. We have organized, together with children, digital technology projects that we now critically examine from the perspective of inclusion/exclusion. The paper shows that in social inclusion projects, there is exclusion taking place in a multitude of forms, shaped by a variety of rules and powers. We use nexus analysis as a theoretical and methodological tool that guides us to study inclusion/exclusion as processes, within which both discourses and concrete actions are to be acknowledged as well as historical and interactional aspects—both at individual level and at the level of social structures. Our study shows that inclusion and exclusion may be intentionally accomplished by children themselves, those may result without any intentional effort because of circumstances and those may also be done for children by various kinds of adults. Although children's empowerment and agency are significant, also adults play a decisive role. Implications for social inclusion and digital technology education research and practice are discussed. Nexus analysis is suggested as a useful means for revealing and managing the complexity involved in social inclusion/exclusion.

Empowerment and Collaborative Agency in Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry

This article examines the issue of child agency and empowerment in Mildred’s D. Taylor’s novel Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry. This theme is addressed by some critics who come to the conclusion that Taylor’s protagonist, the young girl Cassie Logan, develops agency and subversive subjectivity in the course of the novel. This study challenges such readings to argue that the ending of Taylor’s novel does not reflect empowerment; and consequently does not support such conclusions. Through expanding self-in-relation theory to feminism as an interpretive tool, this paper suggests that Cassie Logan’s subversive agency remains partial and incomplete because she fails to engage in an inter-connected and constructive relationship with the ‘other’. Cassie’s empowerment is partial because she fails to exert it in the larger community of African Americans and whites, that otherwise could have stimulated a greater impetus for activism. This study concludes that agency and subjectivity are constructed and empowered within the community which is larger than the self and the family.