Stress and the Effects on Children

            One major stress that continues to become worse all over the world is poverty.  Growing up I was fortunate enough to have two parents who both worked and were able to provide for my siblings and myself.  I did however, have a friend in elementary school who was not as lucky.  She had only her father and brother and they had to move into her grandmother’s home.  Her father worked multiple jobs to make ends meet and often worked over night, not allowing her to spend time with him.  She was a very outgoing young girl and loved coming to school.  I often noticed when it was time to go home; she would become quiet and withdrawn.  She was often upset at school functions such as honor roll assembles or chorus concerts because her father could never attend.  We spent a great deal of time at my house on the weekends.  She was always very thankful to come over and spend time my family and I.  After elementary school, we had different classes and ended up going our separate ways.  I often hear that she now works in a local retail store and still lives with her grandmother.  Her father was able to leave one job after suffering health issues and she is helping to make up for his income.

            A country that immediately comes to mind in regards to a major stressor for children is Afghanistan.  The children over there are being exposed to different aspects of war and are suffering as a result.  Many are developing post traumatic stress disorder from witnessing such events as car and house bombings to violent abuse in their homes.  Some children even have to go into hard labor jobs at a very young age to help supplement the families’ income.  The children are starting to have psychologically disorders, mostly the girls from seeing things that any child should never be around.  One way in which the country is trying to minimize the harm is by creating more opportunities for the children to get educated.  By doing this, the children will have a more promising future, helping them provide for their families at a more suitable job. Unfortunately this task may be very difficult with the challenges that the country is still facing on a daily basis.  Another way in which they are trying to help is by providing preventative healthcare.  This is expensive and many families cannot afford that luxury.  For the sake of the children, hopefully something more can be done to help them live a normal life once more.

Reference

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623112106.htms

http://www.hqlo.com/content/6/1/29

This article does not relate to Afghanistan but I found it to be informative because it deals with childhood and the effects stress has on emotional development.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/stress-as-factor-social-emotional/