tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-679528101997612959.post2823693517684069081..comments2024-02-20T01:43:46.792-08:00Comments on Community Psychology Practice: Is it Exploitation or Responsibility?Community Psychology Practice Councilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17724454920322895712noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-679528101997612959.post-88110659824573280072015-10-23T10:54:44.639-07:002015-10-23T10:54:44.639-07:00Nicholas, I have no doubt that you went to Liberia...Nicholas, I have no doubt that you went to Liberia with the best of intentions and I would even garner that you along with SHED did some beneficial work but there are a few things that seem problematic in your account of this humanitarian experience. <br /><br />As you know, or are learning one of community psychology's core principles is a "value for diversity". This appears to be missing in your assessment of the experience, especially as you claim that the "children were being exploited by their parents and by society". Through our Western lens work/chores and children are deemed to be mutually exclusive but I am not convinced that the Liberians you worked with share the same perspective. How did the children in this environment play before the SHED program? Did the parents reject the children playing entirely or did their children have to work before they were able to engage in "child-like" behaviors? Also by whose standards are you defining "work"?<br /><br />You stated that you "couldn’t understand why parents were allowing their children to take on the responsibilities of adults, instead of allowing them to enjoy their youth" but were conversations with parents had before SHED implemented their program to determine what these parents consider a "happy" childhood? What is the context that these parents are located in that cause them to encourage their children to work? In this environment is it more irresponsible for a parent not to teach their children how to work at what we deem to be too early of an age?<br /><br />As I stated in the beginning, I admit to not knowing the details of your experience and am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I am not certain however, that you were willing to give these parents the same. <br /><br /> Niambi Hall-Campbell, PhDnoreply@blogger.com