Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

War, poverty, racism, natural disaster, isolation, hunger, noise, chaos, disease, environmental pollution, and violence are some stressors that many around the world have to suffer with. I have a friend that is from Visalia, California. Visalia is an agriculture city in the Central Valley of California (near Fresno, CA.) of which suffers from air pollution from various sources (i.e. agriculture, airplanes, vehicles, manufacturers, etc.). Many of my friend’s family members suffer from asthma, a “long-term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways” (What Is Asthma?. (n.d.).  Today, my friend and her family still continue to live in Visalia, the same city that could have been the cause to their development in asthma. From my knowledge, in order to cope with this environmental stressor, my friend and her family use inhalers. Inhalers open the lung airways when they are feeling tight, thus bringing more air into the lungs.

           

Louisiana is in southern part of the United States, of which experiences many hurricanes. Hurricane Katrina, hit Louisiana in 2005, and has taken many years to jump back from this natural disaster. Several children experienced many trauma symptoms including: depression, distrusting people, anger, feeling disconnected, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Kelly, W. S. (n.d.). In order to minimize harm after Hurricane Katrina, many of the children received social support, which did reduce mental distress. This information can help future events and establish further emotional protocols if a disaster were to hit again.

           

References

Bankrate, D. W. (2013, May 27). Nbc News Business. NBC News. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.nbcnews.com/business/10-states-most-natural-disasters-6C10088195

Kelly, W. S. (n.d.). The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Adolescent Psychological Adjustment and Adaptation Southeast Lousiana. Digital Commons. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1330&context=doctoral

Visalia, California. (n.d.). (CA) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.city-data.com/city/Visalia-California.html

What Is Asthma?. (n.d.). - NHLBI, NIH. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/

Child Development and Public Health

            This week I did more research on nutrition/ malnutrition and its impact on child development and population in Africa. This past summer I chose to read an autobiography, Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane, on the life of a boy living in apartheid in South Africa, I have gained more knowledge on the topic and how malnourishment affects the development of children. Reading Kaffir Boy has given me a deeper understanding of the circumstances that took place during apartheid, and how many children and their families suffered from low-income, unemployment, safety, and more importantly malnutrition. Having read this autobiography, I am emotionally more sensitive to nutrition and its affects on child development.

            Today, hunger still exists in many rural communities in South Africa. After performing more in-depth research, according to, “The Social Context of Children’s Nutritional Status in Rural South Africa” obesity and under-nutrition are some issues that are under fire, possibly linking to the collapse of apartheid in South Africa and the easily accessible fast-food restaurants put into place (Madhavan, S., & Townsend, N. (2007). Not only will malnourishments lead to poor health, but will also have further implications in the future.

            Having learned more about nutrition, this information will impact my future work by making sure that all my students receive the proper nutrition for a healthy development. I will teach my students and their families the benefits of healthy nourishment and the implications of a malnourished diet. In order to teach my students about a healthy diet, I will implement fun activities where my students will determine what foods are healthy foods, and also by having them bring in a healthy snack to share with the class.

References

Madhavan, S., & Townsend, N. (2007). The social context of children's nutritional status in rural South Africa. PMC, 1. Retrieved November 8, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P

Mathabane, M. (1986). Kaffir boy: the true story of a Black youth's coming of age in Apartheid South Africa. New York: Macmillan.

Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

I have never given birth before, nor have I been part of the birthing process. I have however helped my Mother in preparation for her two scheduled Cesarean Sections. I remember my Mother having to stay in the hospital for a week or so for recovery. When my brother was born he had jaundice and had to receive special attention and sleep under a light meter for treatment. As for my sister’s birth, she was born with teeth. I chose these two examples, as these are two memories that I actually remember from my sibling’s birth (I was very young at the time of their deliveries).

I think it is incredibly important to receive support right after giving birth. Having extra support will not only allow the mother to get her rest, but will allow the child to recognize that he/she is surrounded by people who care about them.

There are many countries throughout the world that have different birthing practices than in the U.S. For instance, according to Parents Magazine in The Netherlands, the Dutch have the option of giving birth at home or in a hospital (Schalken, L. (n.d.).  Another difference is that instead of a pregnant woman seeing an obstetrician they would go to a midwife practice. I also found it interesting how if the mother is to give birth in a hospital they are unlikely to receive an epidural and may also go home in as little as two hours if there are no complications. The unique thing about Dutch birthing customs is that there is maternity home care that is covered by insurance; where a nurse comes to one’s house for seven days and provides medical care, cleans the apartment/ house, cooks, and gives basic parenting instruction (Schalken, L. (n.d.). Giving birth in the Netherlands seems like a dream for pregnant mothers. There are many differences between the Netherlands and the U.S. I am sure if mothers in the U.S. were offered additional at home help after birth, most if not all would certainly take advantage of this opportunity.

Reference

Schalken, L. (n.d.). Birth Customs Around the World. Parents Magazine. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/?page=2