Children and families well being
Poverty and lack of parents does not subject any one to sexual harassment, sexual abuse or physical abuse. In any case, people with such social status problems should get the best care and concern from the society and the government as a whole. According to piper, every child is entitled to a good life and equal opportunity in life especially while growing up. Children should get equal rights as adults and should have the right to make choices especially with regard to bodily harm. There is a law that protects children against violence and abuse (piper, 2000).
It gets worse to realize that people given the mandate and respect to care for such people physically abuse children and molest them. These are crimes punishable by law and for the purposes of good child growth; such people should get isolation from the rest of the community. Arthur, who is a white middle class man and in mid 60’s, has a story to tell concerning the raised issue because he has been a victim of sexual and physical abuse during his early days and requires a social worker for counseling. A social worker best helps the victim deal with problems because they have training and most of them understand human beings as they are and help them become better.
This matter has been an issue to him to the extent of giving him stress and his wife with whom they have been married for 40 years knows nothing about it. Not many people in his situation would be courageous enough to share such information with their wives. Men especially, think that women will stop giving them respect and look down upon them asking questions like, why were you the victim and others. It has happened in the past and could be the reason why Arthur kept it as a secret for all those years.
Mary thinks that the cause of depression is retirement and has nothing much to worry about as she thinks it is normal and common among many retired people. Having held back such crucial information to a person for over 40 years raises eyebrows and his wife, Mary, will take time to understand. Being a woman could hold her from understanding why Arthur kept it as a secret. Men and few women could attempt to understand Arthur, which is why he requires a social worker to share the ordeal with and let go the depression.
Mary will have every right to think that Arthur has been hiding many things from her for the 40 years. This will bring up the issue of trust and again if this happens, both of them will need an intervention of a social worker who will help them understand each other. Since there is a model of protecting children, Mary will fail to understand why Arthur did not report the matter to relevant authorities. The fact that his parents were not in a good position to raise him and give him proper care did not deny him the rights against cruelty (Scott, 2002).
As a family, Arthur and Mary should open up failure to which issues of trust check in. before telling Mary about the physical and sexual abuse in his early age, both of them should seek counseling from a social worker. This will help Mary understand him and not think that he has no trust for her. It is normal for people to shy away from speaking up such issues. Arthur should seek a social worker in order to manage his depression. As for Mary, she would also be required to contact a social worker because at her age she could begin developing fear and worry about children.
Because both of them are retired and elderly, they should seek a social worker to assist them manage some things that their age cannot allow them to do. This includes how to spend their time and how to manage it too. The social activities that Mary is looking forward to doing together with her husband require a social worker for the purposes of guidance. A social worker will help Arthur forget the ordeal and forgive the caregiver who molested him in the name of giving care to him. Journals like “I remember the first time I went into foster care” will help Arthur understand that he is not the only one in the world with such problems. This will help him come out broadly and talk to people who could be going through what he experienced in his childhood (O’Neill, 2004).
Other issues that would bring the family of Arthur and Mary into contact with a social worker include their marriage. They have not come into agreement of what to do with their free time. This requires an expert so that they do not engage in the wrong things especially which would bring problems to their marriage later on. Redundancy is an issue that Mary has identified in Arthur and there is a probability that it is gearing towards Arthur’s depression. It would therefore be good that they contact a social worker on the same.
The issue of traveling and undertaking social activities that interest Mary do not require contact with a social worker. Those are domestic issues and personal. Their relationship growing stronger and Mary thinking that retirement has contributed to their good life are some of the issues that do not require contact with a social worker. The involved parties’ best solve some things and a third party coming in only worsens things.
As a family, Mary and Arthur have worked hard to remain happy and together for 40 years. This is one of their strengths and not many people manage this. There have been many cases of divorce and domestic violence, which Mary and Arthur do not experience in their lives. Another strength that the family has is that their life and marriage is getting better as they age. It is good to take into account that many couples start marital issues after retirement, which is opposite to Arthur and Mary.
Observing and knowing a marriage partner is an attribute that many people lack. Mary has been observing Arthur and trying to get the cause of his depression. It shows how close the two partners are regardless of Arthur not telling her the cause of his depression. The outstanding strength of the family is that they have plans and good plans for that matter like travelling together and involving themselves with social work even at their old age. They are aging happily and to many they are good role models. Issues of marriage have been there since the formation of marriage as an institution. It calls for both parties to understand each other, love each other and care for each other. Going by this and what Mary and Arthur portray, they qualify to live together and that is why they have come this far.
Two people coming together and becoming one call for patience, tolerance, just like Mary has tolerated Arthur’s depression and love. Having all qualities is not easy. Looking at the years that they have been married and Arthur’s age, it shows they married in their teen years. Not many people manage to get married in their teen years and maintain marriage because at that age, teenagers want to experiment everything and enjoy life thus no commitment. Arthur and Mary chose not to do all that and that is why they are a strong family.
Formal Letter
Arthur
Re: Seeking compensation from the government
As the representative and spokesperson of Arthur’s family, I am hereby seeking the government to compensate the family of Arthur and Mary, because of the unlawful treatment that Arthur received in his early age while at a foster home. It is the mandate of the government to ensure that every child gets a good life and equal opportunities with the elderly especially when it comes to bodily harm. Sexual harassment and abuse is punishable by law but the adult who at that time assaulted Arthur when receiving care that his parents could not have afforded went free.
Since the government have the power to prosecute adults, it should compensate Arthur now that the government cannot get person who assaulted him during the young age. At that age, Arthur would not have power to report the matter to any authorities because the violator was the authority under him. There are policies that are applicable to my client in subject because he is entitled to all rights as a citizen of this country. Every country has a government that fights for the rights of its citizens and foreigners who deserve it.
My client has been employed until he recently retired prior to which he began to show signs of depression. He immediately began counseling sessions and after 6 months, he revealed to the counselor that an adult claiming to give him care assaulted him sexually and physically. It is that ordeal that has left him tormented especially knowing that he was helpless. Arthur feels that there was violation of his childhood rights and as a taxpayer; he is entitled to compensation from his government. His family as a commonsensical device and its place in law demands for compensation. Arthur who is the victim of sexual and physical abuse has had depression ever since he was a child but it eloped after retirement because he had so much time to think about what happened to him.
The government rules that any abused person, either physically or sexually should get compensation from the government. There is evidence showing that and the constitution allows Arthur to demand his right of compensation directly from the government. I am therefore pleading to the government and any law enforcement agency, to extend the same and help my client in getting compensation. I am aware that there is a big difference between general advocacy and asserting my position and the rights of my client and I am pleading with the government to come in and facilitate the compensation.
My government should have this as pointer to show that there are many people especially children suffering from within because of physical and sexual abuse. It should therefore put into place the measures to curb sexual and physical abuse especially to children who have no voice to talk on their behalf. My client has kept the secret from his wife for over 40 years, something that could have resulted to domestic violence and marriage dissolution.
The compensation will help my client feel appreciated and encourage other individuals suffering to come out and express themselves. I assure you that there are many people out there seeking the same only that fear and shame cannot allow them to express themselves. As earlier mentioned my client had kept the secret for over 40 years and were it not for the counseling, he would still be hurting helplessly.
I believe and understand that my government, which happens to be that of my client, does not give empty promises and policies. Compensating my client will ensure that the law enforcement agencies realize that there are people out there committing crimes and with the long arms of the government, they will catch up with them and prosecute them. Physical abuse is punishable by law and anybody unable to control their sexual desires should only get the favor from willing partners but not assault children.
I know it will not take long before my client and I get a response and a positive for that matter you since you confront cruelty best. Before writing this letter, we had to consult the relevant authorities and agencies for the purposes of following protocol and they all suggested that I write this letter on behalf of my client. We therefore believe in justice and we know the government does that too. Thank you and we are looking forward to hearing from you soon.
References
Faullkner, J. (2010). The importance of being innocent: Why we worry about children. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
O'Neill, C. (2004). I remember the first time I went into foster care. Journal of Family Studies, 10, 205-219.
Scott, D. & Swain, S. (2002). Confronting cruelty: Historical perspectives on child protection. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
Piper, C. (2000). Assumptions about children's best interests. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 22, 261-276.
Rodwen, D. Luheth, W & Wolfe. B (2001). Children Psychology: and Consequences of Children’ guidance. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.
