By Kris Leonhardt
Chief Editor
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – As generational cycles occur, negative patterns and traits are known to transfer through multiple generations via learned behavior and family dynamics.
These behaviors are passed on until someone perceives a need for change and, more importantly, has access to the tools they need to “break the cycle”.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore five cross-generational family issues in northeast Wisconsin — physical health, alcohol and drug use, mental health, education, and housing — and what some organizations are doing to address the trends.
Generational trends
Generational theorists Neil Howe and William Strauss, who developed the “Strauss-Howe Generational Theory,” classify generations into four distinct classes, claiming that an era begins with an “idealistic” generation that focuses on social issues and challenges the morality of existing institutions.
Idealists are born in a time of high optimism and low crime, where children are gratified.
The next generation – the “reactive” generation – focuses on the facts and not on what could or should be. The focus is often on oneself, as crime begins to increase and children are not equally protected.
Next comes the “civic” generation, which focuses on fixing things, rebuilding institutions, and working together for the greater good.
The fourth generation of Strauss and Howe is the “adaptive” generation.
This generation was born during a “crisis” in society and values fairness and sensitivity and is generally overprotective.
While some generations may lend themselves well to solving existing models, change can only happen if those affected have access to the necessary devices.
And, the likelihood of continuing the negative behaviors is high.
In an article titled “Intergenerational Transmission of Child Abuse Rates, Research and Clinical Implications,” from the American Journal of Psychiatry, JE Oliver stated that “one-third of child victims grow up and continue to follow a pattern of behavior grossly incompetent, negligent or abusive. raising as parents”, based on a compilation of 60 studies.
Oliver added that another third are sensitive to these generational influences in certain environments.
Fighting healthy eating and food insecurity
The social determinants of health (SDH)—non-medical factors that influence health—are conditions in which people are born, live, and age that affect the conditions of daily living.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists access to nutritious food and physical health opportunities as an important SDOH.
The CDC works to provide tools for health equity and health literacy by implementing service and nutrition guidelines for hospitals, colleges, food banks, and food pantries; increasing access to healthy foods; and developing strategies to encourage customers to choose healthier foods and beverages.
But they are not alone, with community partners such as the University of Wisconsin bringing information directly to communities that need it.
A July 2022 report from the Wisconsin Food Security Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison showed that the adult obesity rate in 2019 for Kewaunee County was 33.2%, while Brown County was 34.8% and Door County 31.1%.
The report also showed Kewaunee County residents only had access to five supermarket grocery stores and double the number of convenience stores. Residents of Brown County had access to 39 supermarkets and 84 convenience stores, and Door County had 12 supermarkets and 23 convenience stores.
But for others, it’s not just about finding healthy choices; it’s having access to food in general.
The report showed the estimated number of people living in food insecure households was 6.3% in Kewaunee County, with Brown County at 8.1% and Door County at 8%. .
The state average is 7.2%
Programs like FoodWise, available through University of Wisconsin-Madison extensions in Brown, Door and Kewaunee counties, aim to address both food insecurity and healthy eating.
FoodWise works to promote healthy eating habits and active lifestyles for families with limited incomes through education and is federally funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Program food and nutrition education.
Laura Apfelbeck coordinates programs in Manitowoc, Kewaunee and Door counties.
“We are the link to the Wisconsin idea, bringing the knowledge and expertise of the university to rural Wisconsin,” Apfelbeck explained.
“Last summer, we partnered with the Manitowoc Farmers Market to apply for funding that resulted in a UW-Madison intern working on improving access for low-income people. She manned our farmer’s market information booth and made it easy for those receiving food to simply share those dollars at the farmer’s market.
“This effort increased food spending in the farmers market by 700%, meaning more farmers were earning money for their labor and more low-income families could access fresh, healthy produce.
Together with 4-H, we mentor young community health advocates. Young people added smoothies to their school lunch menu and fresh salads to community meals. »
The program meets all generations by working with schools and alongside community partners.
For more information on the FoodWise program, visit https://healthyliving.extension.wisc.edu/programs/foodwise.
Work for home security
Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said 4,715 reports of child abuse were made to Brown County Child Protective Services last year, as he declared April “Month strengthening the family in Brown County”.
And this number is not out of the norm.
Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, Inc. said “5,000 suspected cases of child abuse are reported in Brown County in a typical year.”
“Brown County has been focused on promoting proactive ways for families to stay together to enrich environments for children,” Streckenbach says. “Understanding that exposure to childhood trauma has a powerful and negative effect on adult well-being, county staff and volunteers work tirelessly to support the strengths of the child, family and of the community through programs and services.”
The Green Bay Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies recently joined Golden House’s “Be Safe” campaign.
“Be Safe was launched in mid-October, which was Domestic Violence Month. The campaign was created to reach victims of domestic violence so that there are local resources they can turn to for help. help. Victims often don’t know where to go or what to do. They are embarrassed and scared. An anonymous donor has come forward to fund the campaign, which was created and implemented by O’Connor Connective. A An easy-to-remember helpline number has been created – 920-212-SAFE All calls go directly to Golden House, where attorneys answer calls,” explained MaryBeth Matzek, communications manager at O’Connor Connective.
Golden House is the county’s only comprehensive domestic violence program.
“When a victim of domestic violence calls the Be Safe number and is put in touch with someone from Golden House, the lawyer will assess the person’s situation, ask questions about their situation, etc. They will discuss different options. Everything is very personalized and everything is confidential,” Matzek added.
Wisconsin’s 2023-25 budget reflected an increase in domestic violence-related funding from $12.4 million per year to $20.2 million per year.
An additional $28 million has also been allocated to the Living Independently through Financial Empowerment (LIFE) program.
The LIFE program aims to provide economic mobility to people affected by domestic violence to ensure that their basic needs are met, so that they can break the cycle and provide their families with a more stable and nurturing environment.
“Wisconsin ranks eighth in the nation for the number of women killed by men,” said Jenna Gormal, End Abuse’s co-director of prevention and engagement. “Eighty people lost their lives to domestic violence in 2021, the highest number since records began.”
To learn more about domestic violence resources in Northeast Wisconsin, visit www.goldenhousegb.org/need-help/resources.