Lecture Notes: Gender, Culture, Stressors, and Child Welfare

Key Concepts on Gender, Culture, and Development

• Gender is influenced by culture; culture shapes gender expectations.
• Cultural definitions of gender roles guide how children are treated in school, how they relate to peers, and which opportunities are encouraged or discouraged.

Socioeconomic Inequality and Stressors

• Socioeconomic status affects exposure to stressors; poor children are significantly more likely to be exposed to six identified stressors.

Policy Implications for Government

• Governments can develop strategies to lessen stressors on children and on caretakers.
• Policy actions can increase positive influences on children through government agencies and related organizations.

Child Protection Process

• When abuse or neglect is reported, government agencies may investigate.
• In serious cases, children may be temporarily removed from caretakers.
• A multi-agency process follows, involving government agencies, courts, social workers, clinicians, therapists, lawyers, and case managers.