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Forum on Public Policy Online

Spring 2009 edition (Posted September 2009)

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• Children: The Next Generation
• An Assessment On The Impact Of The Current Economic Crisis And Its Effect On The Protection Of Our Children From Sexual Predators:  A Case Study Of The State Of Nevada
  Robert Kenneth Aberle, Professor of Criminal Justice, College of Southern Nevada
• Child Victimization on South Dakota Indian Reservations:  An Overview of Jurisdictional Policy
  Brenda Donelan, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Northern State University
• Heredity—Environment Influences on Early Childhood Literacy: The Example of Sweden
  Siv Fischbein, Professor in Special Education, Department of Special Education, Stockholm University
• The Rise and Demise of Children’s International Human Rights
  Douglas Hodgson, Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, The University of Western Australia
• Children in Harm’s Way: a Global Issue as Important as Climate Change
  Garth E. Kendall, J. Anke M. van Eekelen, Jianghong Li and Eugen Mattes
• Children of Genocide in the 21st Century: Four Case Studies of Sub-Sahara Africa
  Charles Oberg and Deborah Caselton
• Improving Children’s Experiences in Foster Care: Foster parent ideas
  Joan F. Shireman, Professor Emerita, School of Social Work, Portland State University
• Child Sexual Abuse among Socially Marginalized Groups: Cultural and Governmental Influences Perpetuating Maltreatment in American Indian Country
  Paul D. Steele, Professor of Sociology and Criminology, Director, Center for Justice Studies
  Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy, Morehead State University

An Assessment On The Impact Of The Current Economic Crisis And Its Effect On The Protection Of Our Children From Sexual Predators:  A Case Study Of The State Of Nevada
Robert Kenneth Aberle, Professor of Criminal Justice, College of Southern Nevada

The current economic crisis has reached global proportions. There has been much discussion and debate concerning the impact on banking, housing, and employment, together with a host of other issues.  What has gone unexamined is the effect this crisis is having on the protection and safety of our children, in particular, from sexual predators.  This paper will examine the economic crisis and its impact on the ability of government to properly manage and supervise the tens of thousands of known sexual predators who live within our communities.  The State of Nevada has over 13,000 known sex offenders within its borders.  The focus of this assessment will be to analyze the ability of the state to continue effective supervision and monitoring of these offenders in light of the hiring freezes, departmental cutbacks, prison closings, and training limitations which have been placed on the Department of Corrections and the Division of Parole and Probation.

Child Victimization on South Dakota Indian Reservations:  An Overview of Jurisdictional Policy
Brenda Donelan, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Northern State University

ABSTRACT
Recent studies indicate that sex offenses are one of the fastest growing crimes handled in United States Federal courts. In 2006, nearly one-quarter of all criminal cases adjudicated in the Federal District of South Dakota involved sexual abuse. The majority of the victims in those cases were Native American children living on Indian reservations. Factors contributing to the overrepresentation of American Indian children from South Dakota reservations as sexual abuse victims are explored in depth.

This paper also describes the jurisdictional issues between individual tribal governments, the Federal government, and the state of South Dakota when dealing with the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. The paper concludes with suggestions for policy improvement in investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse on South Dakota reservations. 

Heredity—Environment Influences on Early Childhood Literacy: The Example of Sweden
Siv Fischbein, Professor in Special Education, Department of Special Education, Stockholm University

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present some results from longitudinal twin research, illustrate these results in an educational interaction model and relate research on early childhood literacy to this model. It can be maintained that in a more permissive setting pupil factors such as genes and home background will be more influential on early literacy outcome than in a more restrictive setting where educational factors such as management, organization, resources and teaching competence will reduce variation. Genetic influences are clearly evident and particularly so for children who are at risk for developing reading and writing difficulties. Phonological awareness seems to be a key factor in this process. For all children there are also interaction effect so that a home environment stimulating print awareness and book reading will protect children from school failure. Early preschool programs adjusted to each child’s prerequisites and interests will also be helpful in this respect. The competence of the teacher and a progressive early training of phonological and vocabulary skills are necessary at school start to promote early literacy success in all children. Organizational and societal influences can also contribute to a structured and encouraging learning environment.

In the ideological school debate permissiveness is often considered advantageous for child development. Children should take responsibility for their own learning and, at least in Swedish schools, freedom of choice regarding book reading and free text writing prevails. This might be stimulating for gifted children but non-stimulating for children at risk. Instead it can be maintained that both a restrictive and a permissive educational environment can be stimulating as well as non-stimulating depending on the setting.

Writing in 1973, Hillary Rodham Clinton proclaimed that “The phrase ‘children’s rights’ is a slogan in search of a definition.” While this assessment may have been accurate in 1973, the intervening 36 years have rendered this comment obsolete. As my paper will demonstrate, the United Nations has now achieved outstanding success in promulgating a comprehensive set of international human rights for children. Sadly, however, these normative standards have not yet been translated into the delivery of tangible benefits and services to children on the ground in many countries. Part B of my paper will briefly trace the historical development of children’s rights at the national level. Part C will survey the emergence of children’s international human rights during the course of the 20th century. Part D will involve a contemporary stocktake or report card on the degree to which these international human rights have favourably impacted on children’s lives. Part E will endeavour to identify those factors which are impeding a fuller realization of children’s international human rights. Finally, Part F will articulate a “14-Point Plan” in terms of reform proposals designed to achieve more effective implementation of these international normative standards.

Children in Harm’s Way: a Global Issue as Important as Climate Change
Garth E. Kendall, J. Anke M. van Eekelen, Jianghong Li and Eugen Mattes

Abstract
Considerable evidence points to the importance of early development from the time of conception in causal pathways to life-long health and wellbeing. A consistent theme is evolving regarding the interplay between psychological and social factors and biological mechanisms, such as genetic predisposition and stress-related neuroendocrine functioning. The focus of interest is the developing child and the emerging capacity for emotional, attentional, and social regulation. Of substantial importance is the possibility that the experience of multiple stressful life-events within the family, school and community directly and indirectly influences these regulatory processes. Evidence suggests that the experience of life-stress modifies the child’s biology through the central mediator of stress responsiveness, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

Children in both developing and developed countries are at risk of poor health and developmental outcomes across the lifespan. Terrorism, civil unrest, youth crime and violence, high rates of mental health problems in both children and adults, high rates of substance abuse, promiscuous sexual behaviour, and high rates of starvation as well as obesity are all symptoms of the underlying problem. While the causes are complex and involve an interplay between individual, family and community characteristics, there is increasing evidence that supportive public policy across a range of portfolios is key to reversing this disturbing situation. Failure to act now, both nationally and globally, poses a dire risk for future human habitation arguably greater than the impact of unabated climate change.

Children of Genocide in the 21st Century: Four Case Studies of Sub-Sahara Africa
Charles Oberg and Deborah Caselton

Abstract
Understanding the inalienable rights of children, the definition of genocide, and the effects of genocidal acts on the growth and development of children is vital to children’s health advocacy efforts.  The paper will discuss both the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide (CPPG).  The CRC outlines the framework for the protection of children in society to assist every child in achieving the fullest potential in health and development.  The CPPG defines genocide and what needs to be done to eliminate its presence for humanity.  The intent of the paper is threefold. First, it is to encourage us not to think of genocide solely as a historical event such as the Holocaust, but rather as a persistent reality that requires constant vigilance and action as it transitions from our past into the current affairs of the 21st Century.  Secondly, that as part of genocidal denial, we frequently forget that the burden of these atrocities is disproportionally placed on children.  Finally, as professionals, we must be aware, informed, and active in the global effort to halt the killing of innocent children and to help heal the scars for those children and youth who have been ravaged by its effects.

Improving Children’s Experiences in Foster Care: Foster parent ideas
Joan F. Shireman, Professor Emerita, School of Social Work, Portland State University

Abstract
Beyond the family, the protection of children involves an extensive system of services.  Foster care is, particularly in the United States, the preferred means of caring for children who must be temporarily placed outside their own homes.  The shortage of foster homes, as increasing numbers of women enter the work force, results in overcrowded foster homes, and some foster homes that meet no more than minimal health and safety standards.  At the same time, increasing numbers of troubled children are entering the system.  In placement decisions, the risks of foster care must be weighed against the risk to children in their own homes.
Children in the foster care system need protection, most commonly provided through interaction of foster parents and caseworkers.  With large caseloads, extensive contact is often not possible.  Given the limitations of time that caseworkers can spend with foster parents, it is important to know what types of interactions foster parents most value.
As part of a larger study, data from a statewide survey of Oregon foster parents, and data collected in interviews with 45 foster parents, are reported in this article.  These data, and review of other studies in which foster parents report their ideas, indicate those elements of support that foster parents find most helpful.  There is also some beginning identification of foster homes that may need particularly close support and supervision.  Such information should help workers prioritize their work with foster parents.

Child Sexual Abuse among Socially Marginalized Groups: Cultural and Governmental Influences Perpetuating Maltreatment in American Indian Country
Paul D. Steele, Professor of Sociology and Criminology, Director, Center for Justice Studies
Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy, Morehead State University

Abstract
Native Americans consider children as special gifts and the future of the tribe (CSOM, 2001) and understand the danger of incest and other forms of inappropriate sexual behavior.   However, strain induced by cultural conflict and historical trauma, mistrust of authorities, social disorganization, communal living patterns, and limited guardianship of vulnerable children from offenders who lack self control pose risks for CSA in Indian Country.   When CSA occurs, it is less likely to be reported, and children are less likely to contribute to criminal investigations and prosecutions.  Since children’s testimony is critical in CSA cases, denials and limited disclosures decrease the likelihood of formal justice control of the offender, and consequent child protection. 
This paper describes a general framework for organizing diverse explanations of CSA in Indian Country, and generating hypotheses for research.  These hypotheses were investigated with data from a study that compared patterns of CSA and disclosure in NRIC and non-NRIC cases, and each was lent some empirical support.  Indian Country children were more likely than their non-NRIC counterparts to be involved in cases where the alleged offender was a member of their extended family.  They were also less likely to disclose abuse, particularly if the child was young and/or male, relative to their non-NRIC counterparts.  While disclosure rates were similar when allegations were made against a member of the immediate family, NRIC children were less likely to disclose against extended-family members and non-family.