Reference no: EM132900187

1. In the dominant American culture, the term family is often assumed to refer to a heterosexual married couple with children. What do you see as an appropriate definition of family? Does your definition impose any limits on social work practice?

2. A clear definition of the term child maltreatment was provided early in thischapter. Determining whether maltreatment has occurred is not always easy. What factors do social workers need to consider when they assesswhether an event is a case of maltreatment?

3. What does the phrase "best interest of the child" really mean? Give an example of a case in which two different social workers could interpret the "best interest of the child" differently.

4. When working with children, why is it important to be knowledgeable about stages of development?

5. Identify two critical issues other than those discussed in this chapter thatgreatly affect children and families, and discuss why they are significant.