Children today are surrounded by stressful situations in child cares homes, and schools. Violence is a huge problem in the United States. Violence can affect many people, from infants to the elderly. Violence is a stressor in children’s lives that endangers their well being and life outcomes.
I had a childhood friend who was brought up in an abusive home. Her father was always beating on her mother, almost every day. We were around seven years old and I remember her always coming over to my house to let me know that her father hit on her mother. Sometimes she would be present when this happened. I did not know what to do at the time but talk to her and be her friend, which wasn’t enough. The violence she observed between her parents really affected her in many ways. She could not concentrate which caused her not to do well in school which eventually caused her to drop out. She also became depressed and started drinking alcohol and doing drugs. According to an article, “Exposure to domestic violence has also been linked to poor school performance. Children who grow up with domestic violence may have impaired ability to concentrate; difficulty in completing school work; and lower scores on measures of verbal, motor, and social skills” (NCTSN, 2013).
We lost touch when I moved, but reunited after a couple of years. She was still going through depression when we reconnected and since I was older and knew more, I suggested that she get some help with what she was going through. Now, I am happy to say that she is doing much better and is no longer depressed, drinking, or doing drugs. She earned her high school diploma and now works as a counselor.
According to an article, “Australian children single out alcohol as country’s main cause of violence. The report found that 45% of Australian children surveyed believe alcohol is a main cause of violence. Cambodia had the highest response with 90%, followed by Mongolia with 53%. An Australian child, Erin, 10, told the survey: “I think the main violence in my country is domestic violence from alcohol and drugs. Many adults have too much alcohol and drugs and hurt or treat their families in a bad way. I think we could stop this by limiting the amount of alcohol adults drink and buy” (Davis, 2013).
Cases of alcohol-related violence have been highly publicized in recent years. Awareness groups campaigning to reduce the number of alcohol-fuelled attacks have focused on incidents such as the death of the Sydney teenager Thomas Kelly (Davis, 2013).
Violence is a huge stressor around the world. Violence causes a major threat to children’s physical, emotional, social, and psychological well being, especially if the violence that is occurring is persistent.
Davis, H. (2013). The Guardian. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/nov/20/australian-children-single-out-alcohol-as-countrys-main-cause-of-violence
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (2013). Children and Domestic Violence. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.nctsn.org/content/children-and-domestic-violence
Hi LaShaunda,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post this week. I feel so bad for your childhood friend who had to go through that. I can imagine that it was be extremely difficult to concentrate on anything else but the fighting. I'm so glad to hear that she is not doing well despite the trouble in her childhood. I would be interested to know if she is now married.
I agree that alcohol and drugs play a huge role in domestic violence. I you found any information about organizations that have been trying to help this situation in Australia?
LaShaunda I am happy to hear that your friend is doing well. Situations like hers don’t always have a happy ending. I think no matter what country you live in, if drugs and alcohol are involved the results can be disastrous and quite harmful to individuals and families. I hope the people in Australia have access to rehabilitation centers like we have here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to be a friend of a child who witnesses abuse and not have the skills, knowledge or background to help the situation, but is harder to be that child who lives in the abusive home. I know that child. Childhood is confusing enough without having to deal with the intricacies of abuse. Loving both parents even though one is hurting the other. Hopefully her mother was able to get out of the relationship and start a new life and thankfully your friend got help with the stresses, guilt and fear she lived with. If those items are not dealt with it leads to more problems later in life, as you said drug or alcohol abuse, and dysfunctional relationship of your own. Thank you for sharing
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