Poverty 01.29.11

Blog 01.29.11
Poverty
I don’t know if I can actually say I lived in poverty when I was growing up. But I know, when I was younger my family did not have a lot of money. There were 6 kids, out of those 6, one was going through college ( I was about 6 or 7). Another lived with our Gia Gia (grandma), another one was in high school, on in junior high, and myself, I was in grade school. My mother was a stay at home mom, which left my father to work. It’s almost unheard of now in the United States to only have one parent working. We only had one car, so when my dad worked midnights, my mom would wake me up to go pick him up from work. My mom would make my clothes (she was very crafty with everything from clothes, to making dolls, to anything a person can think of, she could probably make).
I do remember, my parents having us roll change, although, they used it as way to help me count money. But now that I think about it, I remember them talking about not having the money to buy bread or milk sometimes. But I still don’t remember thinking anything of it. But I do wonder if this is why I hold education to such importance, because the more education a person has the better of a career they can possibly obtain, therefore, they don’t have to count change to buy groceries. But maybe, having an education is just that important these days, which no matter how I grew up, I would still hold it to high standards.
Comparing my life growing up to the lives of children in Africa now, I have nothing to complain about at all. According to the article “A Troubled Decade for Africa’s Children” written by Michael Fleshman, the children in Africa are more likely to be ill, and less likely to go to school. Not only are the children suffering from poverty, but they also have to deal with war and disease. (Fleshman, 2002). It’s just a continuing downward spiral. Adults are more likely to get sick, and unable to afford medication, which leaves the children alone. (Fleshman, 2002).
Mother’s are dying from pregnancy, malnutrition is at disturbing numbers, one out of eight babies in Africa are born underweight. (Fleshman, 2002). In 2001, from the 580,000 children under the age of 15 that died from aids, 500,000 of them were from Africa. (Fleshman, 2002).
Those who live in Africa, suffer not only from poverty, but from war, diseases, hunger, and many other stressors. I believe that once one of these happen, many of the others will shortly follow; they work hand in hand together and is very difficult to reach a healthy state, if it can be done at all.
References
Fleshman, Michael. "A troubled decade for Africa's children." Africa Recovery, 16.1 (2002): 6. http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol16no1/161child.htm. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.

Blog week 2

Blog week 2
I started to write this blog about access to healthy water in the United States versus access to healthy water in a different country.(Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). But instead I came across an interesting article about environmental factors (including water) and the affects it has on children in the United States. (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000).
Children are affected much more than adults when it comes to environmental containments. . (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). They eat more, drink more, play harder, and are often outside more than adults. . (Woodruff, Axelrad, &Kyle, 2000). They may be more affects by the environment because their immune system is not as fully developed as adults. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000).
From the report, “America's Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures”, they identified, five medias for children’s exposure; outdoor air, indoor air, drinking water, food and soil. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Many of these factors play a role in childhood illnesses, such as asthma and cancer. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Outdoor and indoor pollutants (such as cigarette smoke) can lead to these illnesses. (Woodruff, Axelod, &Kyle, 2000). Based on this report, race and poverty play a significant role; it said that “non Hispanic and non white children are more likely to have high levels of lead in their blood.”(Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000).
Second hand smoke can lead to lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, fluid in the middle ear, asthma, and SIDS, just to name a few. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Younger children who are exposed to second hand smoke are affected more so than older children. (Woodruff, Axelrod, &Kyle, 2000). Although, my beliefs, second hand smoke is bad, no matter how old you are if you’re an adult or a child.
This report is very interesting. When dealing with children it has many interesting facts that I knew about, but didn’t really think about. I took a lot of it for granted, because I live in the United States, we are not a 3rd world country, and in to my assumptions we are more environmentally secure. But this is not the case. The United States has a lot of environmental containments, just as other countries do. I think we are somewhat more aware of it, but they are still there, and I believe the more that one is educated about it, the better off our children will be.

References:
Woodruff, T. J., Axelrod, D. A., & Kyle, A. D. (2000). America's Children and the Environment: A First View of Available Measures . U.S. EPA National Service Center for Environmental Publications, 1, 1-86. Retrieved December 15, 2011, from Eric.com

Birthing Experience

Birthing Experience
When people talk about birthing experiences, most people find it a joyous occasion, but there are some who have difficulties and it can be the scariest yet most wonderful experience of their lives.
I was 16 when my niece, Victoria was born. My sister had her 3 months early. There was nothing that the doctor’s could do at the time to stop my sister from giving birth to my beautiful niece. Victoria’s weight was only a pound and a half. She fit into her father’s one hand. My niece was in the hospital for 3 months, she was born with scoliosis, a tethered cord, and spina bifida. The only people that were able to see her were her parents. But, they were only allowed to hold her to feed her, even then the doctors did not want them to do so, but in order for mother and baby bonding, my sister did some of the time. She was born in Pittsburgh hospital, which made it even more difficult, because it was about 2 hours away from where most of the family lived. My sister basically lived at the hospital for the 3 months. When she came home, she had to have a breathing machine, when we held her or took her anywhere, even around the house; we also had to take the machine.
I didn’t realize how severe my niece was when she was born, I knew it was bad, but I was 16 and I wasn’t able to see her, so at the time, I couldn’t imagine the intensity of the problems that she was born with until she came home.
My niece is now 15 and is wonderful. She still has some problems walking, and with her bladder. But from then until now, she is doing wonderful. At the time when she was born until she was about 3 the doctors believed that she would not even be able to walk at all on her. Now she does! I believe, in the 15 years of her life she has had 13 surgeries, and still has about two more to go, but right now they are not a necessity.
Preterm birth is a problem worldwide, but was not actually acknowledged until recently. (Vashishtha, 2009). About 28% of the 4 million annual neonatal deaths are due to preterm births; about 12.9 million babies are born preterm, with a global prevalence of 9.6%. (Vashishtha, 2009). The rate of preterm birth is highest in low resource regions. (Vashishtha, 2009). The countries that have the most preterm birth rates are Africa, North America, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean, Oceania, and last Europe. (Vashishtha, 2009).
More research has to be done for preterm births, as of now, high income countries can focus more on preconception birth, and lower income countries can promote prenatal care, treating malnutrion and other important factors to insure a healthy pregnancy. (Vashishtha, 2009).

References:
Vashishtha, Vipin M. "Preterm Birth: A Neglected Entity." Focus 46 (2009): 1071-1072. http://medind.nic.in/ibv/t09/i12/ibvt09i12p1071.pdf. Web. 7 Jan. 2011.

A note of Thanks

I would like to thank each and every one of you, I have learned a great deal from all of you during this course. Through the discussions, it was amazing to see the different ideas that was shared although we had the same readings, and watched the same videos,the blogs, it was wonderful to have the ability to learn about each one of you personally.
Banae,
Everytime I read one of your post or one of your blogs, I learn something new. I see things from a different view point that I wouldn't have seen if it weren't for you. Thank you so much for giving me the chance to have more of an open mind, and for having the ability to see things in a different light.
Thank you all and I wish you the best of luck through your educational career.
Chelsea

Quote

"Our children ARE our Future"

I'm not exactly sure where this quote came from. I'm pretty sure, I found it a few years ago online when I was looking for quotes for my son's teacher.

This quote speaks to me. Adults do not realize how affected children are by our actions, and how we speak to our children. What we do will greatly effect the children now. What they learn now they will take into the future as them. The way we treat our children, they will most likey treat their children the same, what we teach our children, they will teach theirs. How we act towards others, they will do the same. Children really are our future, and I think as teachers (or inspiring teachers) and any other adult that is around children, should continually remember this.

Testing for Intelligence

I do not agree with standardized testing. I understand that there has to be a way to know where students stand with learning, what they have learned, what they need to work on and things like that. But as we discussed during this week everybody learns differently, so how is it fair that we test all students the same?
In colleges, if you have a learning disablitly there are other ways to have that student tested, why is it different in middle and high school educations?

I looked at Greece to compare the difference in education standards. I could not find any information on standardized testing, but I did find other interesting information. Education in Greece is cumpulsory for all children ages 6-15 years old. After 15 years of age education is considered formal somewhat as a university level. The article "Education in Greece" states that after 15 years the student will recieve a diploma, or a formal school-leaving certificate, or a degree. The educational system is structed as primary, secondary, and tertiary. Children may begin school as young as 2 1/2 years of age. Charges are to the state and not to the public.
All pupils are considered of equal value.
Teachers have to follow the same curriculum but the method that they use are up to the teachers. In primary grades, most of the classes are taught by the same teacher, except for English, Pys Ed and Music, which are taught by specialized teachers.

Although, some things are the same in European countries and in America, many things are different as well.

http://www.ypepth.gr/en_ec_home.htm
http://www.in2greece.com/blog/2006/12/education-in-greece.html

I feel that my niece suffered from (and still does) isolation. When she was born, she has spina bifida, scoliosis, and a tethered cord. Spina bifida is a birth defect, it is when the spinal cord has a split or an opening in it, scoliosis is a condition when the spine bends either to the right or to the left. My niece's condition is severe. She's had many different surgeries to try and help this. The one she had for her scoliosis, it was necessary that she have it, if not the curve to her spine was so severe that it would end up smashing all of her insides. She has always walked different, she sometimes uses a walker, she cannot sit or stand like everybody else,among other things she has to have surgery at least once every 3 years.
Usually children who are born with spina bifida also suffer from a tether cord. The cord becomes tethered because of the surgically closing of the spine and the extra scar tissue. When dealing with a tethered cord, when a child stretches usually the spine is free to move, with this condition it is not. It can damage muscles as well as bladder and bowl problems, orthopedic problems such as loss of sensation in legs and feet. My sister actually has to buy my niece two different pairs of shoes because her feet are different sizes.
My niece has always felt different from other children. She is unable to do the things that others' can do. She can't ride a bike, she can't try outfor sports, or even go on longer walks. As much as other's try, she doesn't feel that she fits. My sister has put her in different groups. Actually, when she has her surgery, the hospital that she goes to specializes in these surgergies. There are many other kids there, that feel the same way as she. They exchange phone numbers, and emails. I think that this helps my niece a lot. Although, my sister and the rest of our family tries to understand what she is going through, we are never going to be able too. Having somebody her age, understanding most of what she is going through, helps her because they are able to share stories with each other. My niece also sings and is very big in many different types of music. She goes to a charter school and specializes in signing. I think this helps her relax her mind.

The middle eastren country and the effects the violence has on it's children.
I think my background in criminal justice is one of the reasons why I would like to find out more about this. When I was in class we would often talk about the war and the violence that is going on in middle eastren countries.
When dealing with violent acts such as war, intrusion of homes, schools and other personal places by soliders children are more likely engaged in antisocial behavior, more likely to be involved in violent acts.(Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).
Researchers are concerned with a child's emotional and congnitive development and how violence intereferes with it.(Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).
It can and most likely will lead to aggressive behavior. Severly traumatized children, had lower letter grades in school.(Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).
Many children that have been subjected to severe violence feel that they are included in it and view themselves as "freedom fighters". (Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).

Researchers feel that the community should provide the children with postiive and supportive settings from all levels of the community-family, peers.(Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).
They feel that in doing so it protects the children from all the negative influence that occurs from violence and war. (Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).

This is a continuing study. The researchers are unsure about how well the support settings will work. But they feel that at least it is something more positive to show the children of communities that only see war and violence.(Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).
They feel as long as there is some kind of positive interaction, the children have the ability to see that their is another way other than violence. (Boxer, Dubow, Huesmann, 2009).

References:
Dubow, E., Huesmann, R. L., & Boxer, P. (2009). A Social-Cognitive-Ecological Framework for Understanding. Clinical Child & Family Psychology Review, 12(2), 113-126. Retrieved November 26, 2010, from Education Research Complete