Poverty, Hunger and Violence

When I think about others, I immediately think about the children I work with on a daily basis. Poverty and hunger are the two stressors that many of the children I work with have in common. Many of the children come from single parent homes and deal with plenty of hardship. Due to the lack of money in their home reduces the amount of food they are able to have. Also, it impacts their living conditions. Some things that at times we don’t think twice about, such as a bed, is something that I realize many children do not have.

When I think about myself all of a sudden I had a memory that I haven’t thought about in years. It’s amazing how certain words can trigger our memory. I remember being in about the second grade and having this really good friend who hadn’t been long transferred to our school. I only remember her first name which was Alexandra. As our friendship matured I remember her confiding in me and telling about the abuse she endures from her step-father. I remember her telling me that she was physically and sexually abused by him; she made me promise not to tell anyone. I always tried to get her to come forward but she tried to reassure me that it wasn't that bad. For some time I held onto the secret but it started eating away at me; eventually, I told my mom and she told me to talk to my teacher. The day that I chose to talk to my teacher Alexandra didn’t show, days went by and her absence continued. Our teacher later told us that she had moved and I was heartbroken. All I could think about is if I had of said something sooner. I remembered how on certain days it seemed like she couldn’t focus because her mind was elsewhere. Abuse such as what Alexandra was experiencing, I know impacted her life and was a significant stressor

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Poverty and hunger seem to be an extreme stressor for children in Africa. This quote I found is very startling “A child dies every three seconds from AIDS and extreme poverty, often before their fifth birthday”.  Majority of the homes are self-built and are usually mud houses, they are assembled with rusty and corrugated sheets and wooden boards. Majority of the homes are none electric and no pipe borne water. There are no hospitals and schools are not adequate. Children are not provided with medical attention and many do not attend school. 

Mexico City is one of the highest for children violence and murder. “In Mexico, for almost 25 years now, two children under 15 are murdered regularly each day”. The violence that these children are enduring can impact their life even into adulthood, producing health problems.

I think that biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial developments are all affected when a child is experiencing any of the above stressors. I feel that children become in denial, which is the only way that they can deal with their situation. By saying “it’s not that bad” or “it’s my fault” gives them some type of justification on why the situation is a occurring.

http://cozay.com/

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/americas/news/article_1293865.php/Mexico_among_countries_with_most_violence_towards_children

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is important because it was part of my life when I was a baby. I had a discussion with my mom and she told me that I was breastfed for roughly 12 months. Due to the fact that I don’t have any children I at times bypass things that I have never had the opportunity of experiencing. However, in doing research over breastfeeding, I understand it is much more than a source of food for a baby. Breastfeeding a baby gives another means of bonding between mother and baby. Breastfeeding can also prevent many types of illnesses in a baby. Also, the mother can benefit from breastfeeding; it has been proven to lower type 2 diabetes. One thing that I found fascinating is that breastfeeding is common around the world. In so many topics certain countries differ and have completely different methods. However, places such as Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Asia and Jordan all highly recommend breastfeeding. Islam promotes mothers to breastfeed for approximately two years. In the Philippines the mother will normally nurse her child for two to three years. In Asian families it is very common that they breastfeed until the child is three years old. In doing my research, I realized that there is not an exact age where you must stop breastfeeding; this is more of a personal decision depending on the family. My outlook on breastfeeding has definitely changed and blossomed.


http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/457485_2
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4587404_how-long-nurse-child.html
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227
http://www.007b.com/public-breastfeeding-world.php

Childbirth––In Your Life and Around the World

I don't have any children, nor have I seen an actual birth. Not much can really be said about my birth. My mom just told me she was in terrible pain and was knocked out during a large majority of it. However, this past summer there was a new addition to our family. My cousin had her second child, Claire Elizabeth Miles.  I choose this event because this is the last birth in my family and the closes in relationship to myself. Claire was actually expected born almost two week after her expected due date. This baby kept us in suspense. Everyone tried to pinpoint the day of delivery, thinking she would be here before Memorial Day or on the actual Holiday. I remember feeling a rush of anxiety because the doctors told my cousin that they were just going to have to go ahead and take the baby.  She had to have an emergency cesarean section but thankful there were no complication. I remember thinking, as much as we like to think our doctors know it all, with children you have to think the unexpected. I am so thankful that everything went well on that June day. If there had of been any complications this could have effected Claire’s development and her childhood.

 In Mexico, there rituals are very different. When a woman is pregnant she has to abide by many guidelines that woman in the U.S. wouldn’t think twice about. While pregnant they are not allowed to attend funerals or be associated to anything relating to death. They also expect a woman to never take a hot or cold baths. Cold water is believed to be harsh on the bones; while hot water appears to produce circulatory problems. As well, they consider being in sun light or being close to fire could burn the placenta and aggravate the baby. While giving birth in Mexico it is tradition to make sure everything is closed (window, doors), no openings. If there is an opening is shall be closed or blocked with cloths. By closing up any holes they are protecting the baby and mother from evil forces. Also, while the mother is giving birth she is to be as quiet as possible so she will not be mocked. In addition, the umbilical cord is sacred and the cord is placed around the child’s neck. All of this is very different from what I know my cousin’s experienced. I know she was not worried about screaming or keeping up noise. Nor, was she concerned about anything being opened or keeping the umbilical cord. It’s amazing to see how other people do and believe and have so many different perspectives.


http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0241.asp
http://www.mothersspace.in/pregnancy/pregnancy_traditions/world_childbirth_traditions