Common Stressors

I had two male cousins who as children watched their father beat their mother repeatedly. They grew up to be very violent men. They beat their girlfriends and were really mean to their mother as they got older. The end result was the younger of the two killing his girlfriend and himself and the older one killed himself 2 months later. They never received any help dealing with the violence they grew up in and suffered most of their lives. I think one or both of them even experience sexual abuse in jail.
I grew up with alot of chaos involving drug abuse, lack of stability, and death of loved ones. However, I had many positive role models and supports to help me. I also was able to talk to teachers and different people in my community about the things that troubled me.

Of the 1,674 persons murdered in Jamaica in 2005, 91 were children (5.44%).  Over the past five years, more than 300 children have been murdered.  The number of sexual crimes among children continues unabated: 367 cases of rape and 346 cases of carnal abuse were reported in 2005. One poll  found that 85% of households that were victims of crime reported it to the police.  However, when the crime was rape, reporting was 20%.  If these figures are indicative of actual reporting, as many as 1,800 cases of rape of children might have occurred in 2005.  In 2004, violence caused the closure of schools; children were prevented from preparing for and taking exams while some had to be escorted to test centres by the police; attendance and performance declined in some schools; and, some children cannot move freely in or around their communities.  The psychological impact children and their families is beyond measure.

http://www.unicef.org/jamaica/resources_3950.htm

These children will face a very bleak future. School was a very good outlet for me and I didn't experience half of this trauma.

Public Health

Immunization is the topic that I am passionate about. I think that they are one of the most important things a child can have next to education. I feel safer knowing my children are able to have immunizations. They have all had their shots from birth on up and have been really healthy as a result. I know people who fail to immunize their children and it seems that they are always battling some sort of ailment. I wouldn't wish that on anyone who is unable to fend for themselves. Many children in other parts of the world are not as fortunate and their parents don't have a choice. Immunizations are unavailable.

Pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, HIV/AIDS and malnutrition are the primary killers of children in the developing world. These children die because they are poor, they do not have access to routine immunization or health services, their diets lack sufficient vitamin A and other essential micronutrients, and they live in circumstances that allow pathogens (disease-causing organisms) to thrive.

Knowing so many children are dying from lack of immunizations makes me want to do some deeper research to see what I can do to help. I will add that to my goals.

Birthing Experience

The birthing experience that I chose to write about is my most recent. This was the first pregnancy that I had induced because I was within 6 days of my due date and had never gone that far. I thought that was a sure fire deal but when the induction began, I wanted to reconsider. I also opted to have natural childbirth with no knowledge of how the induction would encourage more intense cramping. The best part of this experience was that within 3 hours of the first dose of medicine, I was in full labor and delivered in the next half hour. I wanted to go natural so that I could enjoy my new baby without being groggy and unable to move around unassisted. I was able to wash myself up, change clothes, and set up my room when I transfered to the other side of the hospital. I have never been a fan of C-section so I am glad that i have never had to have one.

I read that women in China opt to have C-sections more often to reduce the pain factor. I just think that there is more healing involved after a C-section. I also enjoyed taking part in all of my births. I had two sets of twins without C-section so I can attest to the simplicity of vaginal birth. It may not be for everyone but I have been blessed.