Jones-Quartey, P.W.

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PART I I I
C H IL D  W ELFARE
B y  P. W. J o n e s - Q u a r t e y *
INTRODUCTION
It is generally agreed that the term “welfare” is concerned with a state of well-being. However, 
there would be a difference of opinion as to what this well-being entails.
The United Nations in its “ Declaration of the Rights of the Child” adopted by the General
Assembly on November 20, 1959 conceived of the needs of the child in terms of:
1. the development of an identity, i.e. name, nationality, civil status.
2. the provision of love, understanding, maternal care and protection.
3. the promotion and maintenance of health.
4. the provision of adequate food and shelter
5. access to education in order that he learns social and moral values and develops his 
knowledge and judgement.
6. fulfilling his need for play and recreation.
7. the provision o f social protection against discrimination or distinction.
8. protection from exploitation at an early age.
9. special attention for the physically, mentally and socially handicapped.
The above listing is exhaustive, but can be said to encompass the physical and emotional 
aspects of the well-being of children.
To the psychologist, psychiatrist and the social worker, welfare is concerned with the psycho­
social development of individual and the formation of his personality. Their concern in terms of 
“well-being” is with the influences of socializing agents and  with the social milieu itself, both of 
which contribute to the development of a normal, healthy personality. The specific concentration 
is on mental health as being essential to normality and the maintenance of a state of personal 
integration that would be capable of withstanding the varying conflictual situations encountered 
in a life time. Thus, early childhood experiences are believed to have a lasting effect upon the 
individual in every society, for they are believed to be responsible for the development of attitudes, 
morals, a scale of values and emotional maturity and stability.
To the state, welfare is promoted through the enactment of laws and the creation of social 
institutions to cater for the members of its society. The welfare of the child can be met through:
1. maternal and child care services
2. family counselling programmes
3. day-care facilities
4. institutional arrangements for the delinquent, those in need of care and protection or
those deprived of a normal home life
5. school counselling service
6. special services for the physically and mentally handicapped.
•M rs P. W. Jones-Quartey is head o f the Social Administration Unit, Department o f Sociology, University o f Ghana, Logon-
These are services conceived to be needed in any modern society. Today it is recognized that it is 
encumbent upon a nation to provide social conditions conducive to the development of a stable 
family atmosphere in which a child can grow to be a well-adjusted member of the society.
To the individual welfare is a subjective matter, looked upon in terms of his individual 
circumstances and what he conceives to be in his own best interest. To be sure, the society in 
which he lives and his familiar relationships determine, to a large extent, his outlook, his expecta­
tions and establish the limits within which he can pursue and promote his own welfare.
The three papers in this section of the publication throw some light upon varying concep­
tions of child welfare in Ghanaian society: The paper entitled “Children Without Parents—A 
Ghanaian Case Study” by Mrs Nana Apt gives the reader an insight into what a government 
department of social welfare considers as suitable clients for its child-care institutions. The 
reader also learns what action on the part of existing parents and/or relatives such institutions 
consider to be desirable as aids to minimizing the adverse effects of institutional life.
A. F. Aryee’s paper, “A Study of Parent-Child Separation in Accra” pinpoints parental 
notions of welfare and shows a contrast in attitudes between different economic groups. Aryee 
suggests that present-day forms of child dispersion are variations upon earlier traditional patterns 
and are looked upon as being “ in the best interest of the child.” He poses the question of the 
effects this separation from parents has upon the child in terms of what western psychological 
and sociological literature regard as the ideal in the socialization process. One may further 
query if John Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation holds good in a society that practices 
varying forms of fostering?
The last paper of this group “ Some Aspects of School Welfare in the Accra Area” by Y. 
Asamoah is a social worker’s view of how educational institutions working in conjunction with 
parents and social workers can contribute to a child’s welfare. The paper notes that the con­
ception of preventive action as a means of promoting the welfare of the child appears to be 
absent in educational programmes. In addition, teachers have different conceptions as to what 
constitutes behaviour that merits remedial work.
All three of the papers give an indication that many adults in this society consider material 
advantages as being in the best interest of the child, e.g. access to better education, good 
physical surroundings, the provision of food, clothing, shelter, better moral training. Another 
observation made by each o f the papers is with reference to the attitude of the parent once he/ 
she has decided that the child’s interest is best served by placing it in an environmental situation 
deemed advantageous in the eyes of the parent. Most parents look upon such arrangements 
as temporary. Monetary support is irregular or non-existent. Although food, clothing or gifts 
may be sent occasionally, visits by the parent or parents are rare. This is perhaps a broadened 
view which regards the fostering arrangement as being akin to the extended family system’s role. 
Regardless of the type of fostering agent, family members or otherwise, the persons caring for 
the child are guardians in the fullest and most extended sense. Parental responsibility ceases so 
long as the fostering arrangements are considered the best that can be done for the child. Should 
the arrangement fail, another one may be sought.
All o f the authors caution wholesale generalizations from the particular focus chosen for 
their research. However, the papers have the value of pinpointing possible areas which would 
be well worth the attention o f in-depth studies by future research workers interested in the 
problems of the welfare of children.
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Child welfare

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Child welfare

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