The agency for analysis is called Branches and it is located in low-income communities. The organization is designed to help children from families with little income. Here they receive assistance in completing homework, learning healthy sports habits, communicating with friends, have snacks during breaks. Moreover, the program from Branches also provides opportunities for the spiritual development of children through seminars, camps, studying social skills, Bible study, and many others. The aims and actions of the agency are noble and necessary for society, but Branches experiences several severe problems in their activities.
The first problem is the obstacle faced by all charities – lack of funding. Because of this, the Branches are located in a small church. Moreover, children are playing near a busy road, which poses a significant threat in the slightest negligence. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the agency makes maximum use of what it has. Another aspect of concern is the use of branch bucks as a reward. It can even be characterized as a contradiction, not a problem, as there are both positive and negative sides. Children get branch bucks for good work or quiet behavior. The advantage is that having accumulated a certain number of such awards, children can choose some gifts and please themselves. The drawback is that children are often too focused on getting branch bucks, and sometimes it turns against adults. Kids begin to make noise on purpose and refuse to perform their tasks until they receive bucks in return.
According to the Social Control theory, family plays a vital role in a person’s socialization. Surroundings form an individual’s perception of norms and values, which can also prevent them from committing illegal actions. Moreover, social ties are replenished, connecting individuals, and allowing the preservation of particular collective interests. Within the framework of the theory of Social Control, internal supervisors of human behavior are needs, beliefs, while norms and values are external ones. Mechanisms of social control arise in social connection in the family, in the street, at school, at work, which is closely related to socialization (Sharp et al.). The model of human behavior is laid down at the primary stage of socialization – the formation of motives, roles, statuses. For this reason, the first acts of social control should always accompany socialization. The most straightforward mechanism of social control is the psychological support of motivation, role behavior, and status. Such tools are maternal love, friendship and collectiveness, and others. Branches are becoming such a mechanism for children from low-income communities.
In this aspect, it is also possible to speak of social conformism. According to conformism, children change their behavior or opinion under the influence of another person or a group of people. According to Social Learning theory, people learn from each other mainly through imitation (Edinyang). They copy behavior models of their surroundings to adapt to unfamiliar situations. Children are very observant and repeat everything that adults do. By copying, they master new actions and behaviors in different situations (Edinyang). If adults want to develop certain personal qualities and virtues in children, the most effective way is to become a good role models for them. At the same time, if a clear example does not support the words of adults about the rules, the child will copy what he or she sees. Often the home example of parents is not enough to form a full personality. This phenomenon is particularly common among low-income families. Thus, Branches’ mentors become role models for children who may lack it at home.
Thus, Branches play a vital role in socializing children of low-income communities. It helps them to form their personality, to become a member of modern society. Such organizations are necessary in today’s world to help children. However, as the experience of Branches shows, specific difficulties and obstacles that complicate activities cannot be avoided. Therefore, the social sphere and charity require more considerable public attention and the creation of strategies to solve appearing problems.
Works Cited
Edinyang, Sunday David. “The significance of social learning theories in the teaching of social studies education.” International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Research vol.2, no.1, 2016, pp. 40-45.
Sharp, Rachel, et al. Education and social control: A study in progressive primary education. Vol. 49. Routledge, 2017.