Write A Two-Page Paper Excluding Title And References
Write A Two Page Paper Excluding Title And Reference Pages That Iden
Write a two page paper (excluding title and reference pages) that identifies a problem faced by your community. Discuss how a model of community change could be implemented to improve the problem. Describe six features of your community (e.g., cultural make up, size, and locality). Define the problem (e.g., obesity, environmental pollution, teenage pregnancy, graffiti, truancy, gangs, drugs, child labor, or insufficient educational programs) and explain why the problem is detrimental to the community. Select a model of community change identified in the textbook and explain how it could be implemented to improve the problem.
Identify: At least three aspects of the problem you think that the model will be most successful at solving and provide reasoning as to why. At least three aspects of the problem you think that the model will struggle to solve and provide reasoning as to why. The bulk of your paper should focus on the third component above (the model of community change). Your paper must include a minimum of two scholarly sources and be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Community health and welfare are critical components that influence the overall quality of life of its residents. Addressing community-specific problems requires a comprehensive understanding of the local context and effective models of community change. This paper explores a prevalent issue—teenage pregnancy—in a diverse community and analyzes how a specific community change model can facilitate meaningful intervention and sustainable improvement.
Community Features and Context
The community in focus is a mid-sized urban area with a population of approximately 75,000 residents. The community is culturally diverse, comprising African American, Hispanic, Caucasian, and Asian populations. It features a mixture of residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and educational institutions. The community’s proximity to major highways facilitates economic activity, yet also presents challenges related to pollution and traffic safety. The community also includes multiple schools, youth centers, and health clinics, which serve as potential resources for implementing community change initiatives.
The six features of this community include:
- Population size of around 75,000 residents
- Culturally diverse demographics
- Urban setting with residential and commercial zones
- Presence of multiple educational and youth facilities
- Proximity to transportation arteries affecting traffic and pollution
- Active community organizations and local health agencies
Problem Definition and Detrimental Impact
Teenage pregnancy is a significant concern in this community, with rates above the national average. This problem is detrimental to the community's social and economic fabric, as young mothers often face barriers to education, employment, and healthcare. Elevated teenage pregnancy rates contribute to increased school dropout rates, higher incidences of poverty, and interrupted educational trajectories. The community also faces stigmatization and resource strain, with local clinics and schools overwhelmed by the need for specialized services related to teenage reproductive health.
Research indicates that teenage pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for both mother and child, including higher risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality (Finer & Zolna, 2016). Socially, it perpetuates cycles of poverty and limits opportunities for young women, thereby impacting community development. Addressing this problem is thus imperative for fostering community resilience and improving outcomes for future generations.
Model of Community Change: Social Ecological Model
The Social Ecological Model (SEM) is a comprehensive framework that emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual, relationship, community, and societal factors influencing health behaviors (McLeroy et al., 1988). This model advocates for multi-level interventions, making it suitable for tackling complex social issues like teenage pregnancy.
Implementation of the SEM in this community would involve coordinated strategies across multiple levels:
- Individual level: Providing comprehensive sex education and reproductive health services to teenagers.
- Relationship level: Engaging families and peer groups in open communication and support initiatives.
- Community level: Building partnerships among schools, health clinics, and community organizations to create accessible resources.
- Societal level: Advocating for policies that support sex education, contraception access, and youth empowerment.
The strength of the SEM lies in its holistic approach, recognizing that change occurs across various levels simultaneously, thus increasing the potential for sustainable impact.
Successes and Challenges of Applying the SEM
Aspects likely to be successful:
1. Multi-level engagement: By involving families, schools, and community organizations, the model fosters comprehensive change that can alter social norms around teenage pregnancy (Simons-Morton et al., 2014).
2. Resource utilization: Utilizing existing community assets, such as youth centers and clinics, can facilitate accessible education and reproductive health services.
3. Policy influence: Advocacy within the societal level can lead to supportive policies, ensuring sustainability of interventions.
Aspects likely to be challenging:
1. Cultural resistance: Deep-seated cultural or religious beliefs may hinder open discussions about sex education and contraceptive use (Lindberg et al., 2016).
2. Fragmented collaboration: Coordinating efforts among multiple organizations and stakeholders can be complex and time-consuming, risking inconsistent implementation.
3. Limited funding: Securing sustained financial resources to support multi-level initiatives remains a significant obstacle (Koh et al., 2017).
Conclusion
Addressing teenage pregnancy through the Social Ecological Model offers a promising pathway to systemic change by targeting multiple determinants of health. While challenges such as cultural resistance and resource limitations exist, strategic community engagement and policy advocacy can enhance the model’s effectiveness. Implementing this framework comprehensively can lead to reductions in teenage pregnancy rates and foster a healthier, more resilient community.
References
Finer, L. B., & Zolna, M. R. (2016). Declines in unplanned pregnancy in the United States, 2008–2011. American Journal of Public Health, 106(1), 183-185.
Koh, H. K., Geller, A., & Beaudet, M. P. (2017). Community-based approaches to improving health: Evidence, challenges, and future directions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(1), S39-S45.
Lindberg, L. D., Maddow-Zimet, I., & Boonstra, H. (2016). The impact of sex education on teen birth rates. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 48(2), 75-81.
McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351-377.
Simons-Morton, B. G., McLeroy, K. R., & Wendel, T. (2014). Community-based strategies for reducing adolescent pregnancy. Journal of School Health, 84(7), 508-514.