sociological immagination
... wider society. I work with children ages eight to eighteen. These are children who come from an environment of single parent homes, drug addicted parents, or parents who are struggling to make ends meet. The impact I have on these children is based on the fact that I focus on each individually and have a feel for their needs and aspirations. I also have an understanding of the circumstances or conditions that landed them in the position of needing social assistance. Based on the experience with these children, most of the problems they face are due to casual logic, where there has been an existing condition and a particular consequence. For most of their lives, these children have been underprivileged, under–supervised or in a few cases, were growing up in homes where their parents suffered drug abuse. This is all tied into their race, neighborhood, economic standing and no exposure to a life other than that in which they were raised. Most of these children find themselves in trouble with the law and frequently end up in court. At that point, a most vicious cycle begins. In court, for example, they are set up for failure by being assigned unreasonable goals which are unachievable because of their race and economic background. On the other hand, in a more affluent neighborhood, children in the same situation with the law, would be treated more favorably. For example, they would be sent to a rehab center instead of juvenile detention or would be given more of a chance to get help through remedial social programs rather than be incarcerated. My life ties into that of these children on the basis of trust. I am someone who they believe can end this cycle for them. By doing my job, I am having a positive impact on these children and their behavior towards society. I am also ...