soHarshIt's obvious that the socioeconomic status of a parent does play a huge role in what they can provide their children. It's an intriguing dynamic because it seems like a never ending loop for the people that have a lower status since they have bad habits that they pass on. Those children grow up with a terrible diet and it becomes pretty hard to change the mindset of someone who considers 7-11 snacks to be normal food. I would love to hear more stories, obviously without breaking confidentiality, that you have encountered during your time as a social worker.
It's a pretty terrible cycle that people get stuck in. There is also the complicating factors that often come with poverty such as mental health issues, substance abuse, historical trauma (physical/sexual/emotional abuse), etc.
Honestly, most of my current work is with families who are trying to get better and just need some extra supports. When I first started, I was more in the intake/investigation side of things which was definitely more exciting.
We do have a guy who calls our office on a fairly regular basis trying to report his ex-wife for feeding their kids hot-dogs. It's an issue for him, because he's Muslim, but she isn't. Stuff like that gives us a pretty good laugh, because it's not a child protection concern (the kids are getting food) and really a custody and access issue.
El_Barto.Have you read the book 'Turning Stones' by Marc Parent?
I haven't, but it looks interesting. The author sounds familiar, but can't think of where I've heard him from (maybe somewhere in school). I'll have to check it out.