Blog
Assignment: Consequences
of Stress on Children's Development
As a child I came into contact with
a lot of people and one person in particular sticks out to me, my friend
Jasmine. Jasmine came from a single
parent home and was the youngest of five children. She was very mild mannered
at school, but I never understood why when it was time to go home that should
would act out. In our neighborhood some rumors were circulated but I always
waited for Jasmine to tell me herself. At seven or eight years old I could not
do much but I wanted to be a friend and be there whenever Jasmine needed
me. Three years after meeting Jasmine I
soon realized why her behavior changed and it was evident that her home life
was not the best.
Jasmine went to me in confidence and
shared how her and her sisters were being abused by their mother’s male
friends. I was shocked and sad for her, because I could not imagine that
situation for myself and my sisters. During our friendship I saw how Jasmine
behavior changed and the emotional turmoil she went through. It was hard to see
her cope because her mother was in denial and did very little to bring those
men to justice. Jasmine life took a turn for the worst when she began at a
young age doing drugs, and each year my once cheerful friend became an angry and
depressed person.
In
South Africa women and children have been impacted with several stressors, one
of which is violence. South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV
infection among women and children. South African women and young girls are
more vulnerable in the population to contact HIV and become violently abused;
this is contributed to the violence of women and the segregation of men and
women. Women who HIV positive are often tormented, ridiculed, and labeled as
“spreaders” of this deadly virus, and because of this women and young girls
often come violently abused. In December of 1999, the South African Domestic
Violence Act was revamped and put into effect. Legislation called for a well
defined and thorough definition of abuse and domestic relations. The Girls’ Education Movement/Safe Schools Initiatives organization and the Violence against Women and Children and HIV and AIDS project
are working hard to protect the rights of women and children throughout South
Africa.
References:
I hope your friend got the help she needed and got her life back. It is sad that this happens to young children everyday and, in some cases, nobody ever knows.
ReplyDeleteThat is a sad but familiar story. Your story speaks the important roles others can play in a young child's life. Teachers, coaches, family members, scout leaders and many others really do have the obligation to open their eyes and watch for disturbing sign s of violence against youn g children and need to step in to get the child the help they need. There are programs out there that counsel and help to heal those who have suffered abuses.
ReplyDeleteShe is very thankful to have a supportive friend as you. In reading your story, I am proud of you for being the listener and friend who kept her friendship and accepted her for the person she is. Continue to assist her because she is still probably mentally and emotionally disturbed by the abuse. April is right; there are many programs available to counsel those that have been in abusive situations. My pastor once said: "PUSH UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS" I am sharing this for encouragement for your friend and you. Keep being the friend that you are despite of her condition, she needs your support.
ReplyDeleteShakeema:
ReplyDeleteJust a word of thanks and good luck in your future endeavors in the Early Childhood field.
Roslyn