Celebrate, Honor, and Revere Grandparents on Sunday, September 11, 2011: National Grandparent’s Day 2011
Today, Sunday, September 11, 2011, is National Grandparent’s Day. Grandparents’ Day was founded to champion the cause of lonely elderly persons residing in nursing homes and to encourage their grandchildren to tap into the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. It has grown to be a special day for all to celebrate the roles grandparents play in the family unit.
On National Grandparents’ Day, it is a great idea for grandchildren to identify favorite photos in the family albums with their grandparents. Countless joyous memories can be derived from viewing the photo albums. National Grandparent’s Day is a time to discover one’s roots and learn patience, understanding and appreciation for the elderly. National Grandparents Day is an ideal time to enhance communication between generations.
For more than thirty years, we have formally celebrated the role of grandparents in the lives of their grandchildren as a nation. In 1978, the United States Congress passed
legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation. Now more than ever before, we should celebrate grandparents and the expanding role they are playing in the lives of their grandchildren. Don’t forget to honor your grandparents on National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 11th. For further information on National Grandparents Day, visit www.grandparents-day.com.
Sources: Wikipedia. www.grandparents-day.com. Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art.
Hidden Victims
Over 15 million children in our nation live in homes where there has been at least one incident of domestic violence in the past year, and seven million children live in families where severe partner violence has occurred. Data indicates that 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the home. Growing up in abusive household can pose a threat to not only the child’s physical health but his mental health as well.
Research indicates that the non-abusive parent is often one the most important protective factors in the lives of children who witness domestic violence. All women, children, and men have the right to live in a safe environment and to conduct their lives without emotional, physical or sexual abuse or the fear of abuse.
Often, one of the greatest concerns for battered women is the affect of living in a violent home environment on children. In some instances, the domestic becomes so severe that women with children leave their homes without a place to go. Research indicates that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. In a 2007 report by the United States Conference of Mayors, thirty-nine percent of the city leaders who were surveyed identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness among households with children.
Victims of domestic violence experience difficulty finding housing. There simply are not sufficient beds to house all the battered women and their children seeking shelter. The U.S. Conference of Mayors report indicated that city leaders turn persons experiencing homelessness away from shelters and transitional housing because of lack of capacity all or some of the time. Not only do battered women experience challenges in securing a bed in a shelter, they also often have difficulty securing a safe, decent, affordable apartment.
Domestic violence thrives on apathy. It can be eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action. How you can help? Advocate for increased funding for domestic violence programs and public housing.
Sources:United States Conference of Mayors. Center for Diseaese Control & Prevention (CDC), National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. McDonald, Renee, Ernest N. Jouriles, Suhasini Ramisetty-Mikler, et al. 2006. Estimating the Number of American Children Living in Partner-Violent Families; Edelson, J.L. (1999). “The Overlap Between Child Maltreatment and Women Battering.” Violence Against Women. 5:134-154; U.S. Conference of Mayors. 2007. A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America’s Cities: A 23-City Survey. Washington, DC.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Dangerous Times: Its Better to be Safe Than Sorry
We live in very dangerous times. There is violence in the streets and for some the
violence continues in their home. For far too many women/men, violence and
danger are their constant companions. Despite concerted efforts to eradicate
domestic violence, data indicates that intimate partner violence continues to
pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless
persons. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), intimate partner violence results in an estimated (1,200) deaths and two (2) million injuries
among women and nearly 600,000 injuries among men annually. Twenty-three (23) percent of women and eleven (11) percent of men aged 18 years or more have a lifetime
history of intimate partner violence victimization.
Indigent young women are more vulnerable to domestic violence than women with more personal resources. Women who are between the ages of 20-24 years old are at the
greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. Research indicates that most incidents of domestic violence are not reported to the police. The dearth of safe, decent, affordable housing causes many young, poor, and some middle income women to confront the unenviable choice of homelessness or remaining in a home plagued by violence and turmoil resulting from domestic violence.
Prevention is integral in ending domestic violence. With that understanding, this post discusses the importance of creating a safety plan and where you can find very necessary information on this topic. In addition to reading this post on the importance of a safety plan, I would recommend that you also read my earlier post entitled, “He Loves
Me…He Loves Me Not…He Loves Me? which discusses the characteristics of both
healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Everyone has a right to be safe. Toward that goal, it is important to create a safety plan. There are many helpful safety planning websites for adult and teenage victims of domestic as well as elder abuse victims. If you are in an abusive relationship, it is particularly important to create a personal safety plan and to share it with others. Research indicates that if you have been battered in your present relationship, you should understand that you are never safe. Perhaps, you may feel that the abuse has ceased and the relationship is improving because the batterer promised to change. You may even convince yourself that the abuse will end if you are the “perfect” partner. Persons who abuse their partners do not just “stop” the battering behavior. In fact, research indicates that often abusive behavior increases over time. The abusive incidents tend to occur more frequently and the level of violence escalates. As a result, it is critical to create a safety plan.
Victims of domestic violence do not have control over their partner’s behavior, but they
do have a choice about how to respond. It is very difficult to decide to leave a relationship and seek safety either with someone they know or in a domestic violence shelter. It might take several attempts before battered person can permanently leave. In fact, it has been reported that on average it takes seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship before the victim elects to leave permanently. And once they decide that leaving is in their best interest, they still need to cope with the emotional, physical, and financial issues that
arise. It is strongly recommend that the victim make a safety plan. The safety plan addresses the victim’s and her/his family’s individual situation and helps to ensure that if she/he decides to leave that she/he is as safe as she/he can be and have everything that the person needs.
For detailed information on the creation of a personal safety plan for victims of domestic violence here is a list of a few very helpful websites: www.safehorizon.org;
www.domesticviolence.org; www.thesafespace.org. It is important to be safe
rather than sorry.
Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). www.thehotline.org. www.safehorizon.org; www.domesticviolence.org; www.thesafespace.org. Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Grandparent’s Day 2011
National Grandparent’s Day was founded to champion the cause of lonely elderly persons residing in nursing homes and to encourage their grandchildren to tap into the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. It has grown to be a special day for all to celebrate the roles grandparents play in the family unit. In 2011, National Grandparent’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, September 11, 2011.
As National Grandparents Day approaches, it is a great idea for grandchildren to identify favorite photos in the family albums with their grandparents. Countless joyous memories can be derived from viewing the photo albums. National Grandparent’s Day is a time to discover one’s roots and learn patience, understanding and appreciation for the elderly. National Grandparents Day is an ideal time to enhance communication between generations.
For more than thirty years, we have formally celebrated the role of grandparents in the lives of their grandchildren as a nation. In 1978, the United States Congress passed
legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation. Now more than ever before, we should celebrate grandparents and the expanding role they are playing in the lives of their grandchildren. Don’t forget to honor your grandparents on National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 11th. For further information on National Grandparents Day, visit www.grandparents-day.com. Sources: Wikipedia. www.grandparents-day.com. Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
In the United States, child abuse and/or neglect are growing public health issues. The few cases of abuse and/or neglect which appear in the press are only a small part of this pressing public health issue. Many assert that a notable portion of the child abuse cases are not reported to police or social service agencies. What we do know about the prevalence of child abuse is as follows:
• 1,740 children died in the United States in 2008 from abuse and neglect.1
• 772,000 children were found to be victims of maltreatment by child protective services in 2008.1
In response to concerns regarding abandonment, abuse, and or neglect of their grandchildren, a growing number of grandparents have become full-time caregivers for their grandchildren. The 2000 United States Census indicates that 4.5 million of our nation’s poorest children reside in grandparent-headed households and that number is escalating rapidly. Data indicates that approximately one-third of these children have no parent present in the home. The number of children in grandparent-headed households has increased 30 percent since 1990.
Research data indicates that in New York, there are 297,239 children living in grandparent-headed households which constitutes 6.3% of all the children in that state. Twenty-eight (28) percent of these grandparents live in households without the children’s parents present. The literature on this phenomenon suggests that there are probably many more children in informal care arrangements residing with their grandparents than the data can capture.
AARP indicates that the majority of grandparents rearing grandchildren are between ages 55 and 64. Approximately 20 to 25 percent are 65 or older. While grandparent-headed families cross all socio-economic levels, these grandparents are more likely to live in poverty than are other grandparents. AARP materials also state that there are eight times more children in grandparent-headed homes than in the foster care system.
Although the phenomenon of grandparents raising grandchildren is neither novel nor new, this emerging social issue is garnering a great deal of national attention due to its impact on the welfare of an ever increasing number of our nation’s children. The rise in the number of grandparent headed households is due to serious family problems. The reasons for the increase in grandparent headed households include but are not limited to: abandonment, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, death, divorce, incarceration, AIDS, and the parent’s lack of employment.
Caring for their grandchildren can have life altering consequences for the grandparents. Many grandparents have not planned to raise a second family or may be retired and living on a fixed income. Having sufficient income or resources to provide housing, food, clothing, medicine, and school supplies for their grandchildren may be of critical concern. Research indicates that children raised by their grandparents are more likely than children in traditional foster care to live in poverty, to have special health and educational needs, and to lack access to health care.
While grandparents have played a significant role in the lives of their grandchildren for generations, the increasing numbers of grandparents with responsibility for their grandchildren and the rise in social factors necessitating this arrangement have created millions of vulnerable families with unique needs. For further information on the topic of grandparents raising grandchildren or to get help, please call or visit the website of: AARP’s Grandparent Information Center: 202-434-2296; and Generation’s United: 202-289-3979.
Sources: Children’s Defense Fund website, AARP’s Grandparent Information Center website, US Census Bureau, Generations United website, Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, Child Welfare League of America, Center for Disease Control & Prevention, National Child Abuse Hotline, Child Welfare Information Gateway, FRIENDS National Resource Center, and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.
1. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. Child Maltreatment 2008 [online]. Washington (DC): Government Printing Office; 2010. [cited 2010 Apr 8]. Available from: www.acf.hhs.gov. Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Safety at Home?
Not all homes provide a safe haven. For far too many persons violence and danger are their constant companions. Data indicates that domestic violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. Yet, domestic violence is a subject that we, as a society, are reluctant to talk about. As a result, victims often suffer and sometimes die in silence. It is important to know: what constitutes domestic violence, how you can help, and available resources.
What constitutes abuse? Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including but not limited to physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that people use to gain power and control over their intimate partners. Research indicates that domestic violence is common and affects people of all cultures, religions, ages, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds and income levels. Domestic violence is not a private family matter as was once thought but rather a crime against society. Abuse takes many forms.
Abuse comes in several forms and, while some define abuse as a physical attack, it can also be emotional, financial, or sexual. Physically abusive behavior can escalate quickly and have lethal consequences. Emotional abuse is considered a psychological or mental attack on another, including name-calling, destructive criticism, harassment, isolation, intimidation, or humiliation. These emotionally destructive behaviors by the abusive partner can be detrimental to the victim’s mental well-being both in the short-term as well as long-term without counseling. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy the victim’s self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make the victim feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and the first step to breaking free is recognizing that the relationship is abusive.
Are there other forms of domestic violence? Other forms of domestic violence include but are not limited to financial and sexual abuse. Financial abuse, also known as economic abuse, results from one partner’s attempts to gain and maintain control over their partner’s finances. Taking many forms, financial abuse includes disallowing a partner from obtaining a job, purposely hurting a partner’s credit, limiting access to funds, and demanding that a partner ask for money for every expense. Sexual abuse results from one partner forcing his or her will on the other, often causing physical and psychological harm in the process. When a partner is afraid to say no, he or she suffers from abuse. Once the victim acknowledges the reality of the abusive situation, then she or he can get the much needed help.
Is this an exhaustive list of the forms of domestic violence? Although lengthy, the aforementioned categories of domestic violence do not comprise all forms abuse. Stalking is another form of emotional abuse. With the rise of technology, many abuse their partner by stalking them with the aid of cell phones, computers, and the Internet, or using technology to monitor a partner’s activity. Research indicates that this type of abuse is especially common among teenagers and young adults. The immigration status of the victim can also afford the abusive partner an opportunity to control the victim. When the abusive partner, often a spouse, holds control over the victim’s immigration papers, threatens to call immigration authorities, or refuses to let his or her partner to learn English, among other things this behavior constitutes abuse. More than ever before, society must guard against domestic abuse in all forms, paying special attention to non-traditional forms of abusive behavior which all too often go overlooked.
How can you help? There are several ways that you can help a person in an abusive relationship. First, you must be a patient and non-judgmental listener. Respect your friend or family member’s decisions. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. Secondly, you can encourage him or her to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Assist your friend in locating a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling. If the person elects to go to the police, court or a lawyer, you can offer to accompany them for moral support. It is important to be mindful that you cannot rescue the person being abused. Although it is difficult to see someone you care about being hurt only the abused person can decide when to take the requisite steps to secure a life free from the violence and turmoil which occurs in an abusive relationship.
The pervasive problem of domestic violence takes everyone to make it stop. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, keep in mind that expressing your concern for their health and well-being will let the person know that you care and may even save her or his life. For information about domestic violence programs in your area, visit the website for Stop Family Violence at http://www.stopfamilyviolence.org.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Sources: http://www.stopfamilyviolence.org. Sanctuary for Families. and Safe Horizon.
Emerging From The Shadows: Loving, Reflecting and Pursuing Justice Together
Not all homes provide a safe haven. For far too many persons violence and danger are their constant companions. Data indicates that domestic violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. Yet, domestic violence is a subject that we, as a society, are reluctant to talk about. As a result, victims often suffer and sometimes die in silence. It is important to know: what constitutes domestic violence, how you can help, and available resources.
This month, the “Emerging From The Shadows: Loving, Reflecting and Pursuing Justice Together Fifth International PASCH Conference” will be held on May 12-15, 2011 in Abbotsford, BC, Canada at the Columbia Bible College. The conference material remind us that,
“In our world, one in four families experiences domestic violence and abuse and the impact of that is felt by all of us. Paint a mental picture of your Church last Sunday morning. Can you see where everyone is sitting? Looking pretty familiar? Same as the week before?
Now look again. Domestic abuse and violence affects one in four of these people. It’s hard to believe isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s true.
If one of these people came to you looking for help, would you know where to begin? Most don’t. Which is why Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH) run ground-breaking conferences aimed at raising awareness and offering practical tools with which to help.
Our upcoming conference, Emerging from the Shadows, to be held [...] at Columbia Bible College in the Vancouver area, will address these basic issues.” –Peace and Safety in the Christian Home
For further information on the conference program, schedule, and/or registration options, visit the conference website: http://fromtheshadows.ca/.
Source(s): Emerging from the Shadows; and PASCH.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Poses the Question, “Who is Caring for an Ever Increasing Number of Our Nation’s Poorest Children?”
In the United States, child abuse and/or neglect are growing public health issues. The few cases of abuse and/or neglect which appear in the press are only a small part of this pressing public health issue. Many assert that a notable portion of the child abuse cases are not reported to police or social service agencies. What we do know about the prevalence of child abuse is as follows:
• 1,740 children died in the United States in 2008 from abuse and neglect.1
• 772,000 children were found to be victims of maltreatment by child protective services in 2008.1
In response to concerns regarding abandonment, abuse, and or neglect of their grandchildren, a growing number of grandparents have become full-time caregivers for their grandchildren. The 2000 United States Census indicates that 4.5 million of our nation’s poorest children reside in grandparent-headed households and that number is escalating rapidly. Data indicates that approximately one-third of these children have no parent present in the home. The number of children in grandparent-headed households has increased 30 percent since 1990.
Research data indicates that in New York, there are 297,239 children living in grandparent-headed households which constitutes 6.3% of all the children in that state. Twenty-eight (28) percent of these grandparents live in households without the children’s parents present. The literature on this phenomenon suggests that there are probably many more children in informal care arrangements residing with their grandparents than the data can capture.
AARP indicates that the majority of grandparents rearing grandchildren are between ages 55 and 64. Approximately 20 to 25 percent are 65 or older. While grandparent-headed families cross all socio-economic levels, these grandparents are more likely to live in poverty than are other grandparents. AARP materials also state that there are eight times more children in grandparent-headed homes than in the foster care system.
Although the phenomenon of grandparents raising grandchildren is neither novel nor new, this emerging social issue is garnering a great deal of national attention due to its impact on the welfare of an ever increasing number of our nation’s children. The rise in the number of grandparent headed households is due to serious family problems. The reasons for the increase in grandparent headed households include but are not limited to: abandonment, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, death, divorce, incarceration, AIDS, and the parent’s lack of employment.
Caring for their grandchildren can have life altering consequences for the grandparents. Many grandparents have not planned to raise a second family or may be retired and living on a fixed income. Having sufficient income or resources to provide housing, food, clothing, medicine, and school supplies for their grandchildren may be of critical concern. Research indicates that children raised by their grandparents are more likely than children in traditional foster care to live in poverty, to have special health and educational needs, and to lack access to health care.
While grandparents have played a significant role in the lives of their grandchildren for generations, the increasing numbers of grandparents with responsibility for their grandchildren and the rise in social factors necessitating this arrangement have created millions of vulnerable families with unique needs. For further information on the topic of grandparents raising grandchildren or to get help, please call or visit the website of: AARP’s Grandparent Information Center: 202-434-2296; and Generation’s United: 202-289-3979.
Sources: Children’s Defense Fund website, AARP’s Grandparent Information Center website, US Census Bureau, Generations United website, Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, Child Welfare League of America, Center for Disease Control & Prevention, National Child Abuse Hotline, Child Welfare Information Gateway, FRIENDS National Resource Center, and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.
1. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. Child Maltreatment 2008 [online]. Washington (DC): Government Printing Office; 2010. [cited 2010 Apr 8]. Available from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Emerging From The Shadows: Loving, Reflecting and Pursuing Justice Together
Emerging From The Shadows: Loving, Reflecting and Pursuing Justice Together
Fifth International PASCH Conference
Date: May 12-15, 2011
Venue: Abbotsford, BC, Canada at the Columbia Bible College.
“In our world, one in four families experiences domestic violence and abuse and the impact of that is felt by all of us.
Paint a mental picture of your Church last Sunday morning. Can you see where everyone is sitting? Looking pretty familiar? Same as the week before?
Now look again. Domestic abuse and violence affects one in four of these people. It’s hard to believe isn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s true.
If one of these people came to you looking for help, would you know where to begin? Most don’t. Which is why Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH) run ground-breaking conferences aimed at raising awareness and offering practical tools with which to help.
Our upcoming conference, Emerging from the Shadows, to be held [...] at Columbia Bible College in the Vancouver area, will address these basic issues.” –Peace and Safety in the Christian Home
For further information on the conference program, schedule, and/or registration options, visit the conference website: http://fromtheshadows.ca/.
Source(s): Emerging from the Shadows; and PASCH.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Poses the Important Question, “Is Every House A Home?”
For many women violence and danger are their constant companions. Despite concerted efforts to eradicate domestic violence, data indicates that intimate partner violence continues to pose a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. Social science research indicates that one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. Indigent women are more vulnerable.
On average, more than three women a day are murdered by their intimate partners in our country . Annually, women experience an estimated 2 million women injuries resulting from an abusive relationship. Women who are between the ages of 20-24 years old are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. Research indicates that most incidents of domestic violence are not reported to the police. The dearth of safe, decent, affordable housing causes many poor women to confront the unenviable choice of homelessness or remaining in a home plagued by violence and turmoil resulting from domestic violence.
Over 15 million children in our nation live in homes where there has been at least one incident of domestic violence in the past year, and seven million children live in families where severe partner violence has occurred. Data indicates that 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the home. Growing up in abusive household can pose a threat to not only the child’s physical health but his mental health as well.
Research indicates that the non-abusive parent is often one the most important protective factors in the lives of children who witness domestic violence. All women, children, and men have the right to live in a safe environment and to conduct their lives without emotional, physical or sexual abuse or the fear of abuse.
Often, one of the greatest concerns for battered women is the affect of living in a violent home environment on children. In some instances, the domestic becomes so severe that women with children leave their homes without a place to go. Research indicates that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness. In a 2007 report by the United States Conference of Mayors, thirty-nine percent of the city leaders who were surveyed identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness among households with children.
Victims of domestic violence experience difficulty finding housing. There simply are not sufficient beds to house all the battered women and their children seeking shelter. The U.S. Conference of Mayors report indicated that city leaders turn persons experiencing homelessness away from shelters and transitional housing because of lack of capacity all or some of the time. Not only do battered women experience challenges in securing a bed in a shelter, they also often have difficulty securing a safe, decent, affordable apartment.
Domestic violence thrives on apathy. It can be eradicated with an equal amount of conscience, mind, heart, and collective action. How you can help? Advocate for increased funding for domestic violence programs and public housing.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
