Consequences of Stress and Childhood Development

Growing up in Chicago, Illinois on the rough streets of the westside, I came across many poverty stricken families. Fortunately, my father and mother worked hard so that my siblings and I would never truly see what is like to go without nutritious and hot cooked meals, health insurance, nice clothes and shoes, and quality education. Many of my peers and friends around the neighborhood were not afford the same advantages, I never looked at them as any lessor or inferior. I had a friend by the name of Chyna that lived across the street. There were times when I would visit Chyna to play and it would be no heat inside of her home, growing up in Chicago we experienced extremely brutal winters. Chyna's mother was on drugs and would often neglect her. She was behind in many of her classes and failing to turn in assignments and homework and even failing classes. There were many times where Chyna would not even show up to school. We were in second grade and I can remember Chyna visiting me looking very sad and almost wanting to cry because she claimed that she hadn't eaten in almost 2 days. I invited her inside and offered her dinner and she ate every bit of it. I even packed her tupperware to take home for later. I was genuinely happy to see my friend good and full. My mom would always send her home with gifts and food. I loved to see her happy. My family and I eventually moved away and so did Chyna. I miss her so much and wish that there was a way that I could contact her and see how her life turned out. I would love to hear from her! =(

I have an affinity for the children of Syria because they have been going through detrimental stress from the war on their country for more than 3 years now. There has been physical as well as mental and emotional stress placed upon the children of Syria from being exposed to violence and losing parents and their loved ones. The violence of the war and being displaced from family and care givers not only causes socio-emotional issues within children but also affects healthy brain development. I am sure that many of the children have or will experience toxic stress due to lack of support and love from their caregivers and the constant and frightful exposure to violence and war. The experiences of the war in Syria will definitely lead to mental, socio-emotional as well as economic hardship growing children. Children exposed to war violence have difficulty learning and processing skills, as well as developing healthy social relationships. According to World Vision International (2014), The World Vision Organization prioritizes setting up Child Friendly Spaces, also known as safe places where children can play, learn, make friends, develop routines and be monitored for behavioral and emotional issues. 

"My grandchildren have never had a beautiful day in their lives," says the grandmother of Fatima, 4. "The older girls barely talk, and when other children cry, they curl up with their hands to their ears and rock." Photo by Jon Warren

The above image displays an emotionally distressed young Syrian girl. :(


References:

World Vision Organization. (2014). Syria's children - how conflict can harm brain development. World Vision International. Retrieved from http://www.wvi.org/experts/article/syria%E2%80%99s-children-%E2%80%93-how-conflict-can-harm-brain-development