Criminology Social Learning Theory and Essay

In the case of family therapy, this may also be true for children. In addition, breaking the children away from the family may foster hatred or further anxiety between the groups, and bringing the children back into the home after the couples have undergone counseling may subject them to an unintended stressor, further harming their relationship with one another. In this case, it is important for members of law enforcement to realize that each family makes mistakes, and that being a part of a family is -- for many -- a new experience. Children of divorced parents, abusive parents, etc. may indeed be covered by an explanation of social learning theory when they have trouble running a family unit. However, addressing problems with the family intact can be one way to insure that the legacy does not pass to the children of this family.

Another negative affect that this policy may have on the child is the fact that it, too, could be the stuff of ethical dilemma. Simply returning a child to a home because the parents have completed some courses does not mean that the child will be safe. Although many of those who abuse substances, spouses, and children, do so because they have learned the behavior in childhood, it is because they have a dangerous condition that can end up endangering the children even more. According to McCue (2007) spousal abuse and domestic violence are linked to high incidents of psychopathology and personality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Although research decades ago argued that these people can be helped through treatment, this is not necessarily the case, as feminists during the feminist movement argued.Thus, putting a child back into a home based solely on the fact that the parents have undergone treatment is not necessarily ensuring the safety of the child and reflects the belief that all cases of family domestic violence arise from the social learning theory.

Thus, for the safety of the child and the betterment of the family, it is important that Anytown rethink their policy. On one hand, the policy might be too harsh, removing children from a family that needs to work together. On the other, the policy could be far too lenient, putting children back in a home that may not be safe for them. For this reason, this policy needs to be rethought to reflect the parameters of possibilities involved in the issue.

References

Allen, J.R. And St. George, S.A. (2001). What Couples Say Works in Domestic Violence

Therapy. The Qualitative Report, 6(3), Retrieved August 14, 2009, from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR6-3/allen.html

Burton, D.L., Miller, D.L., and Shill, C.T. (2002). A social learning theory comparison of the sexual victimization of adolescent sex offenders and nonsexual offending male delinquents. Child Abuse and Neglect. 26(9), 893-907.

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2009). Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities:

Statistics and Interventions. Retrieved August 14, 2009, from the Child Welfare Information Gateway Web Site: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/fatality.cfm#prevent

McCue, L.M. (2007). Domestic Violence: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: ABC-

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