Childhood and Young People Essay

Learning outcome
2. Understand the kinds of influences that affect children and young people’s development.
2.1 Describe with examples the kinds of influences that affect children and young people’s development.
a) Background
b) Health
c) Environment
There are many factors that can influence a child and young person’s development, particularly in relation to their background. The formative years can be termed as crucial in regards to development and any major setback can create many problems for the future.
Background
Parents that are going through a marriage breakdown, divorce and separation can be stressful for all involved especially the children/young person. They can become emotionally withdrawn and suffer a lack of confidence which can create low self respect. Due to significant changes in families the time the child is at school no one may be aware of these changes in school. They may lose focus in their own abilities and suffer mentally, children from single parent families may suffer from a lack of a male/female role model which can cause sets of very negative beliefs by others. Dual parents and single parents may have to work long hours, leaving little room for direct social, emotional and thinking related support. Becoming part of a new step-family through a parent meeting a new partner can cause friction between children from each side. This could lead the child/young person to become socially and emotionally withdrawn which could raise the risk of bullying by peers.
Health
If pupils suffer from poor health or physical disability, it may restrict their development opportunities. Health can be affected by poor and a range of how much money people may have. Factors such as access to good-quality health services and shops selling good-quality food at low prices. The child's emotional development will also be impacted depending on their illness of their needs. It is important that adults in schools are aware of these situations and facts or conditions that surround someone, so that they can support them by ensuring that they are included as much as possible.
Environment, Poverty and derprivation
Being around wealthy or less fortunate people can have an effect on children and their development. Families who feel confident about their future income and finances can choose their lifestyle. They can also choose where they would like to live. Families in the higher social classes tend to live in more expensive housing areas with good facilities for travel and education. Families with lower incomes tend to live in more densely occupied housing areas. Families on lower incomes are often forced to rent rather than buy their homes. Different social class groups often live in different neighbour hoods, but there can be disadvantages to living in poor-quality or high-density housing. Children who come

Show More