From the list of stressor given, the one that come close for me is violence. In my line of work I hear about this way too often and sometimes see it. The program I work in deals with children who are diagnosed with either reactive attachment disorder, general anxiety disorder, etc. There are children who live in foster care that have dealt with abuse or neglect from their parents or friends of their parents. Many of these children have a hard time accepting affection, engaging with peer; however, on the other hand some can be too affectionate and display indiscriminate affection to strangers, calling them daddy or trying to leave with them. We are trained to allow them to take time to adjust to their new environment and give comfort.
Africa has the youngest population in the world. Today,
Sub-Saharan Africa's 130 million children below six years of age (20% of its
total population) are seriously at-risk (web.worldbank.org). Families are devastated with the AIDS
pandemic, which left 10.6 million orphans as of 1999 (UNAIDS 1999)(web.worldbank.org). Wars and
civil conflict within states increased the number of African refugees to 35
million in 1999 (those internally displaced as well as those who fled their
countries), 85% of whom are children and women. Infant mortality has declined to
105 per 1,000 live births in 1997, but is still the highest in the world (web.worldbank.org). Of the
African children who survive through age six, nearly 30-million (or one-third)
are chronically malnourished, weighing only three-fourths of the weight standard
for their age, largely due to inappropriate child feeding practices, high
morbidity and poor child caring practices (ACC-SCN 1999)(web.worldbank.org). About 35% are stunted
following persistent malnutrition before they reach the age of three; a
situation that can hardly be reversed (web.worldbank.org).
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Reference
Retrieved from http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTCY/EXTECD/
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Wow! 130 million children under age six who are living in those adverse conditions. The web site was very informative with data that addressing health system, nutrition, reproductive health, etc. It is difficult to understand, but it is encouraging knowing that world organizations are trying to make a difference for these children in protecting their rights.
ReplyDeleteIt's very unfortunate that these children have to seek affection from outside sources. I have experienced this with my some of my own students. I started noticing how some of them would often cling to me as if they are longing for that affection. I finally came to the conclusion(after months of trying to figure out why they act out in the classroom)that many of them are lacking attention in the home. So, just as you, I see that it's my job to provide them with the comfort they are not receiving.
ReplyDeleteHi Ayonie, it was meant for me to read your post. I have two new children in my class who are both in foster care and I have seen both examples of the behaviors that you've described. I hope you don't mind if I have questions about some strategies that may work for them. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteNot at all, please feel free to ask any and all questions.
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