To begin this assignment, choose one specific trend/issue relating to children's health or children's family/peer relationships. It can be one that you studied in this course (i.e. obesity, autism, ADHD, nontraditional family structures, parental relations, etc.), or it can be another children's health or relationship trend/issue of interest to you. Using the Walden Library, Internet, and/or print resources, locate a recent article or research study that draws a connection between your chosen health or relationship trend/issue and the larger world as it affects children, specifically technology/media influences or issues related to child poverty. (Note: You may want to look ahead to next week's Learning Resources for ideas regarding child poverty.)
After you have chosen the article, write a 3- to 4-page summary and analysis of the article that includes responses to the following questions:
What specific connection(s) does the article draw between your chosen health or relationship trend/issue and a trend/issue related to the larger world? Provide a brief summary.
Do these findings surprise you? Do they confirm what you already suspected? Explain.
What are the implications of these findings for practice in schools, homes, youth programs, etc.? Identify and describe at least two specific implications including at least one for professionals who work with school-age children in a setting of your choice.
Do you think further research is needed? If so, why, and what kind? If not, why not?
Article: Gorski, P. (2008). The myth of the "culture of poverty." Educational Leadership, 65(7), 32-36.
Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.
In this article, Paul Gorski debunks myths that persist about impoverished children and their families. Focus on the realities of poverty and Gorksi's recommendations for professionals hoping to reduce the socioeconomic opportunity gap.
Article: Southwell, P. (2009). The measurement of child poverty in the United States. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19(4), 317-329.
Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.
In this article, the author examines how poverty is measured and how children in need are identified. Focus on how the author defines poverty, the strengths and weaknesses of poverty measures, and the implications of these measures for children in need.
Article: Amato, P. R., & Maynard, R. A. (2007). Decreasing nonmarital births and strengthening marriage to reduce poverty. Future of Children, 17(2), 117-141.
Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.
Read pp. 117-120 and 131-134 only
In these sections, the authors discuss initiatives aimed at reducing child poverty through the promotion of healthy marriages. Focus on data that supports the efficacy of these initiatives, as well as criticisms of these programs.
Article: Johnson, R. C. (2007). From one generation to the next. American Prospect, 18(12), A15-A16.
Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.