Books with author Lisa Firth

The exploitation of children and young people is a major issue worldwide. Across the globe, children are forced to work as domestic labourers, as workers in clothing 'sweatshops' and as child soldiers. Others are sexually abused and forced into prostitution or pornography. How can we tackle human trafficking and ensure that children's rights are preserved? How does child labour affect the products available to buy here in the UK? How can child sex tourism be stopped?This book examines the issues at home and abroad. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper articles, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

An individual is said to be homeless if they have no legal right to occupy any accommodation. While rough sleepers are the public face of homelessness, there are many more homeless people living in temporary housing or in insecure accommodation with friends and family (so-called “sofa surfers”). Some of these will be families with young children. This book looks at the homelessness problem and possible solutions, and at how young people are affected. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper reports, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

Although we have become more aware of the importance of conservation and maintaining biodiversity in recent years, many species of plant and animal are still teetering on the brink of extinction. This book looks at which species are endangered and why, how we can combat threats to endangered species such as hunting, the exotic pet trade, traditional medicine and deforestation, and the best methods for conserving species which are in danger of becoming extinct. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper reports, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

It is thought that the prevalence of self-harm is drastically underestimated, as those who harm themselves usually do so in secret and go to great effort to hide any marks. This book looks at what self-harm is, who does it and why. It also examines the stigma attached to self-harm. The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

The excitement displayed during competitions such as the World Cup show that British people take sport very seriously, yet only 21% of 5- to 19-year-olds take part in any organised sport outside of the school day. This book looks at young people’s engagement with sport as well as topics of debate including footballers’ salaries, equality in sport and the ethics of performance-enhancing drugs. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper articles, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

The future of transport has been hotly debated in recent times. Our roads are congested, fewer people now feel safe walking or cycling to their place of work or education, the quality and cost of public transport is often questioned and there is increasing concern over the emission of greenhouse gases connected with the way we travel. This book looks at the issues surrounding sustainable transport, including an analysis of the current situation and a look at the future of transport. The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

Young people often worry about their size and shape, and in some this can give rise to an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. This book looks at the types of disordered eating which affect many young people today and at how charities, the government and families can help men and women who suffer from these eating disorders. The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

The UK has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Western Europe – seven times that of the Netherlands and double that of France or Germany. This book provides information on trends surrounding teenage conceptions, the options available to pregnant young people, the challenges and stigma faced by young parents and how underage pregnancy can best be tackled. The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

Complementary and alternative medicines such as homeopathy, herbal medicines, acupuncture and chiropractic are widely used. Many who rely on them claim to have experienced benefits to their health, yet critics believe that some of these methods are little better than a placebo. What is the evidence for and against these therapies? How should they be regulated? Should they be funded by the NHS? This book looks at alternative medicine and the debate surrounding it. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper articles, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

Experts have estimated that up to one child in ten is abused in the UK. These children may suffer neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. This book looks at abuse in its different forms, provides information on how victims are identified and treated and also debates the line which is drawn between discipline and abuse. The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.

Everyone will experience a bereavement at some point, yet the death of a loved one is always a shock, even after a long illness. This book takes a sensitive look at the issues surrounding grief and loss, covering the feelings experienced after a bereavement, healthy and unhealthy ways to grieve, young people and mourning, funerals and memorials and practical matters which need to be dealt with following a death. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper reports, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.

It is estimated that one in four British people suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder at some point in their lives, and new figures have revealed that England spends over ?100 billion on mental health-related costs. 'Mental Wellbeing' offers a comprehensive overview of this broad subject, looking at specific mental health disorders including bipolar, depression and schizophrenia, as well as at social attitudes to mental ill health and how those living with a mental illness deal with the stigma which still surrounds the subject. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper articles, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.