Child welfare services have a primary goal of protecting children from harm and promoting a child’s development to ensure a healthy transition towards adulthood. However, when considering the historical and contemporary disproportionality of children of color represented within the child welfare systems (i.e., foster care, juvenile justice, etc.), it is important to consider the role of social work in reinforcing or reforming the field of child welfare.
Discuss your understanding of the degree to which the etiology (meaning the cause of) and/or prevalence of the child abuse or neglect in question is a function of diversity issues, including disparities and oppression. Diversity can pertain to issues relating to race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, and poverty. Please be sure that you specify which area of abuse/neglect you are addressing regarding diversity issues.