(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 7 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

Alternative Lifestyle

Alternative lifestyle can be defined as a type of lifestyle, that is lived outside the norm of society. In recent times, some alternative lifestyles are viewed as being the norm, based on influences from within society.

Most persons may choose to live a simpler life,by giving up possessions of power and things, to live in what some may consider as less fortunate lifestyles.

Lifestyles considered to be alternative

* Use of only herbal medicines

* Living in the wilderness

* Less communication with people

* Leading an occult lifestyle 

* Shunning of Technology


All the above affects society in numerous ways such as:

* Taxation

* Rules and Laws of society

* Social Cohesion

 

(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 6 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

Human Trafficking & Substance Abuse

Human Trafficking is the movement of persons from their place of residence to a place where they are sexually,verbally and physically abused, and also forced against their will to work.

Trafficking in humans are one of the largest illegal industry within the world apart from drugs.

Children are more at risk than anyone else, as they are more susceptible to these kinds of abuse, mainly because of:

* Poverty

* Physical abuse

* Sexual abuse

* Drug abuse

* Criminal gangs

*Alcohol Addiction


Substance Abuse is the constant use of a drug in large quantity, which leads to serious disorders that may cause harm to the body, abuse of others or themselves.
These type of drugs are those that alter the physical or mental state of a person. 

Though substances like tobacco and alcohol are legal, you may find that they have serious implications on the persons health. The tobacco can cause cancer of the throat or lungs as well as risk of heart disease. Alcohol can be addictive to the detriment of the person's health, this may cause:

* Increased risk of cancer

* Depression

* Damaged liver and pancreas

* Insomnia

* Poor judgment 

* Alcohol poisoning 

  

(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 5 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

Care for the Elderly and those with special needs

Elderly people as well as persons with special needs are more susceptible to hardship, therefore they tend to rely heavily on others to meet their everyday needs.

Persons who are unable to take care of themselves need people who care to take on certain responsibilities. These responsibilities are taken up by family members as well as society.

Caring for an Elderly person includes:

1. Good Hygiene 

    Ensuring they have a bath and brush their teeth at the required time daily.

2. Helping with medical conditions
    should elderly persons have medical conditions, and need to take medication, persons should ensure medications are administered on a timely basis as required.

3. Chores
    Physical strength is normally needed to do chores around the house and in most cases elderly people are unable to do them, due to physical frailty. 

(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 4 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Based on cultural values, attitudes towards teenage pregnancy can be viewed negatively or positively. We are now aware that in today's Caribbean societies, potential health threats associated with teenage pregnancy, as well as the negative impact it has on the mother's education.

There are also cultural values that most times encourage abstinence of any form of sexual activities until later years, and within a stable relationship.

In spite of steps been taken to address the constant issue of teenage pregnancy, it tends to soar to a high rate especially within the Caribbean.



Teenage pregnancy can become a social issue when unplanned pregnancies interrupts a young person's life. Concerns of high health risk can include:

* Fetal death (a stillborn baby)

* Infant morbidity (where the child is prone to sickness)

* Infant mortality (where the child dies before its first birthday )

* Health risks for the mother 


     

   







    

(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 3 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

STREET CHILDREN

Street Children who are found on the street are either there part-time or full-time. Children who are on the street part-time are those who have a home and are therefore called children on the street while children who are on the street full-time are those who call the streets their home, those children are called children of the street.

Possible Reasons for Street children

* Lack of proper family planning

* Lack of parental guidance  

* Societal Norms

* Poverty


The above reasons can lead to possibly juvenile delinquency. 
Juvenile delinquency can be defined as an antisocial misdeed in violation of the law by a minor.

   

(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 2 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse can be defined as denying a child of rights and freedom. Child abuse sometimes starts within the family and therefore negatively affects the well-being of society. 

Different types of child abuse 

Physical Abuse - physical force that usually results in physical injury to the body.

Emotional Abuse - the direct hostility to a child, attacking their mental state of being, by belittling the child's qualities, capabilities or desires.

Sexual Abuse - exploitation through sexual misconduct, for example, molestation whether through violent or non-violent action



How does Child Abuse affects it's Victims?
Child abuse can affect it's victims long term by:

* Making them unable to form an healthy adulthood relationship.

* Lacking of interest in furthering their education.

* Sometimes resulting in abusive or violent tendencies.    

(SOCIAL STUDIES) PT 1 CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY LAW

Section A

#2

Social Issues

A social issue can be defined as an issue affecting society or an issue that influences  and is opposed by a large number of individuals within society.

Concern about a social issue may arise due to the fact that it:

* Involves what most people consider to be inappropriate behaviour
* Shows a declination in moral values in an individual
* Has serious implications on the country's finances and how money is spent.

Steps in formulating strategies to deal with Social Issues

1. Identify the problem

2. Try to find out how and why this problem as arisen

3. Determine its implications for society

4. Find possible solutions to address the issue


Things that causes Social Issues

* Poverty
* Desertion
* Domestic Violence
* Child Abuse
* Street Children
* Incest
* Teenage pregnancy