My hope...

My biggest hope for the future is just to be able to make a difference in a child's or families life.  I have been taught so much in this last year or so, and with every class my heart just wants to go out there and do something to make a difference to someone.

I want to thank all my class members and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.  May each of you continue to make a difference in the lives of the children you are teaching and families you are helping.

Central & Eastern Europe-Commonwealth of Independent States

I didn't really have a reason for picking this particular region, I just chose one.  One of the first articles on the website was about children under the age of 3 being placed in an institution.  An estimated 31,000, just under the age of 3, are placed in institutions because of the family being either in poverty or in an emotionally stressful situation that they cannot handle.  Doing this places the children "at risk of severe developmental delays" (Call to action).

I think placing children at such a young age in an institution away from their families will cause some developmental delays in their emotional development.  Just because a family is in poverty doesn't mean we take away the kids, we need to find ways to help the family out of their situation.  I also feel that taking the children away will prevent them from building resiliency.

Another article stated that children with disabilities are also placed in institutions, away from their families.  I am not sure why institutions seem to be the answer for these countries.  I suppose they look at it as being a quick answer rather than really facing the problem head on.  Children with disabilities are people as well, and as the article states, "disabilities are not the impairments themselves, but rather attitudes and environmental barriers that result in disability" (Changing attitudes).

http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/media_21074.html

http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/media_21000.html

Prejudicial impacts on professional life

One of the first things that came to mind is that when I have experienced things in my past that may have me having prejudice feelings towards others, I may overcompensate so my true feelings don't come through.  For example, I have had bad experiences with men throughout my life, and so I am not very trusting of them.  I may overcompensate by overreacting with trust in order to hide my true feelings, if that makes sense.

On the other hand, I may also may be very blunt in my feelings, which will of course cause problems.  I think knowing what your prejudices and biases are, and either paying attention to how you react or even asking the opinion of others will help you when working with families and children.  I will be able to gain a better perspective and be more careful of my words and body language.

Early sexuality for children

I have been thinking and noticing that children dress way to sexy and provocatively.  It even bothers me when I see two or three year olds with mini skirts on because it makes me wonder how are they going to want to dress as they get older.

I have also witnessed two young boys, about ages 5-7, talking about seeing their parents having sex, and it didn't even phase them.  I was just in shock that it didn't seem to bother them.  Just walking around the mall, you see middle and high school girls leaning all over their boyfriends wearing tight and see through clothes and it just makes you wonder if they have any pride in themselves.

I think this has implications on both boys and girls.  The girls are taught that how they dress is how they will get noticed, and boys are taught to treat girls who dress provocatively a certain way.  There is one thing in teaching how to dress and look nice and another when looks take priority over everything else.