I promised to blog some comparative statistics regarding child abuse and neglect between now and thirty years ago. The closest data I have to hand is from 1971.
In that year 17,744 cases concerning the welfare of children were handled by social workers. The NZ Yearbook says, "Cases may be referred by neighbours, police, teachers, employers, doctors, solicitors, etc., or by parents themselves who are seeking advice and guidance."
The population aged 14 or under was 857,000. Cases represented 2 percent of the relevant population.
In 2005 there were 53,097 notifications to CYF. The 14 and under population was 877,000. Cases represented 6 percent of that number.
In 2006/07 notifications are predicted to reach 8 percent.
Obviously many qualifications could be made to this data. For instance not all referrals go to CYF. They may be made to other social service agencies. Today, people may be more forthcoming about their suspicions. Then again there may be more distrust of government agencies than thirty-odd years ago. Cases may represent more than one child or the same child within the one year period. These calculations are only for comparative purposes.
No monopoly on stupid
37 minutes ago
2 comments:
Lyndsay;
Do you know how many people were employed in these activities in 1971 and today?
That too might be a relevant factor.
Of course what might constitute child abuse today was quite acceptable back in 1971.
For example the use of the cane in schools was common and an accepted part of everyday life.
A teacher or even a parent who administered a beating with a cane today would find themselves before the courts.
The shifting standards of child rearing also adds complexity to your analysis.
I don't know what impact this change in attitudes has had - has it made the generations who grew up without firm discipline better or worse?
Is this a result of lax discipline in the home and/or school?
Poor parenting is the most obvious factor but how to rectify that is the big question. Somehow I doubt the answers will come from the Ministry of Social Development.
Andrei,
According to the CYF website,"We have just over 2,000 staff – with more than 1,300 social workers or specialist support staff such as psychologists, evidential interviewers and lawyers." This is outdated because the Briefing to the Incoming Minister numbered staff at 2,670 full-time equivalents.
Involved in child welfare activities in 1971 were 290 social workers and 516 institution workers. There were also 140 "honorary" social workers who were "people of integrity and local standing in their communities."
Quick calculation shows a trebling of staff, consistent with the number of cases investigated.
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