FW pg 51:issue 3 23/04/2009 09:40 Page 51
Policywatch
the
BIGissue
Rachel Aston outlines how to campaign for change
n the last edition of ChildrenFamilies Worldwide we “I want” culture
Poor social skills as
treated as
promoted
children play alone
explained the social policy process in
consumers
Obesity in children
as adverts promote
junk food
I‘Making a difference’. Over the next few
Pressures
editions, we will explore the steps of the
Values
process in greater detail and suggest how
Lack of outdoor
Products valued
How the play means
you can get involved as a Mothers’ Union
higher than commercial
children less fit
relationships world impacts
and healthy
group or individual member. First -- how to
childhood
Sexual content
approach a social policy issue. Buying products
of products
and borrowing
money promoted “Grown up”
from a young age
Health
Premature clothing and
sexualisation shoes sold to
young girls Families Worldwide gives snapshots from the
Children
many different societies in which Mothers’
encouraged to be
Gender
like celebrities
stereotypes
Union members live. As you read about the
countries you will also learn something of keep up to date with social affairs.
the realities of life that confront fellow Second, pray and carry out some
members; realities which prompt them to investigation. Learn a bit more about the
respond in practical, creative ways. issue – for example, research its roots and
identify who is mostly affected by it. A
Supporting family life little digging will reveal stories of people
In each of our societies there will be steps under pressure.
governments can take to support family life, Third, pray about and analyse the issue.
but which issues should we approach our Identify what the causes and effects are
governments about? There might be many and who suffers as a consequence. You
issues we would like to campaign and lobby could use methods such as spider
on, but not all issues will be appropriate for diagrams and mind maps, or use your
Mothers’ Union to tackle. Here are a few tips own experiences to help analyse it.
on identifying where you and your Mothers’
Union can invest your energies to make a You could carry out this exercise in your
difference: Mothers’ Union group, perhaps looking at
one step each meeting or spending a whole
First, pray and identify clearly what the day on all three steps.
problem is and how it relates to Mothers’
Union’s aim and objectives. Talk to people, Next issue: Identifying solutions to social
read newspapers or use the internet to policy issues.
familiesworldwide – Issue 3.09 51
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