Are Video Games Beneficial For Adolescents And Children?

In global terms, 94% of children aged from 6 to 15 and 90% of people aged between 16 and 25 play video games, while just above 95% of households with children under 18 years old own a device for playing video games (Jones et. al 2014, p. 1) whereas the total hours spent by children on video games in the United States has seen an increase of 9 hours, from 4 hours per week during the 1980s to around 13 hours every week in recent years (Academic Help 2012). There are different genres of video games, but the focus of this essay will be on action video games and multiplayer games. Studies have shown that playing these types of video games is beneficial as they help with the development of social skills, regulating emotions and cognitive abilities in children and adolescents. Although there are some concerns such as it may encourage social isolation but in fact, online communities exist. Furthermore, negative emotions could be generated and may lead to violence, but research has shown that there is no connection between the involvement of juveniles in violent crimes and engaging in video games. Therefore, playing video games should be encouraged amongst children and youths.

While video games act as a platform to enhance social skills, it could also lead to social isolation. Multiplayer games are a great way for players to socialise as often players will interact with one another either virtually or in-person while communicating and working together towards a common goal (Cade & Gates 2016, p. 72). To achieve it, players will have to acquire different strategies from others whilst working collaboratively to tackle in-game challenges and giving their comments on ideas along the journey (Logan, Vasudevan & Zúñiga 2015, p. 383). Research shows that 70% of gamers participate in either competitive or cooperative gameplay with a friend (Granic, Lobel & Engels 2013, p. 73). Some claim that excessive gaming could lead to social isolation in children (Academic Help 2012) because less time is spent socialising and meeting new people, however, online gaming communities exist (Logan, Vasudevan & Zúñiga 2015, p. 382). Online forums, wikis, fan websites or guilds can act as an avenue that enables fans from the same game to discuss mechanics related to gameplay. For example, players can post artworks, develop new maps, third party applications to improve the game and share different strategies in these online gaming communities. Through these interactions, players can foster different skill sets such as leadership, community building and trust between gamers.

Although playing video games is beneficial as it helps adolescents and children to regulate their emotions, it could generate negative emotions. Firstly, video gaming is an effective approach towards generating positive emotions in children and youths when a favorite game is being played as it aids them in mood improvement (Granic, Lobel & Engels 2013, p. 70). Interestingly, fewer mental health issues such as depression were displayed by children who played video games as opposed to those who did not (Gray 2018; Jones et. al 2014, p. 2). Even though there are some arguments to suggest that playing video games are detrimental because it could produce negative emotions such as anxiety, frustration, depression, and sadness (Granic, Lobel & Engels 2013, p. 72) as a result of different problematic situations faced in-game (Geher 2018) which may promote violence and aggression, statistics show that there is no correlation between violent crimes committed by juveniles and them engaging in video games. In fact, video games have been increasing in popularity while juvenile crime rates have been decreasing over the past few years (Academic Help 2012). Moreover, video gaming functions as a platform to reduce the effects of stress and anger (Stoll & Collett n.d.). Olson (2010) conducted a survey and found that 62% of boys and 44% of females who played video games agreed that it helps them relax whilst 45% of boys and 29% of girls participated in video games to cope with stress.

Playing action video games have the potential to boost cognitive functions in their users. Gray (2018) describes how non-gamers saw an increase in their cognitive abilities when asked to take up gaming. Firstly, one aspect of a cognition function improved by playing action video games is task-switching and the ability to multitask (Green & Seitz 2015, p. 104). A recent study showed that non-action video game users showed substantial improvements on a multitasking test when trained to play an action shooter game while no improvement was displayed by the control group who played non-action games or no games (Eichenbaum, Bavelier & Green 2014, p. 61). In addition to this, playing action video games requires the player to demonstrate the ability to respond quickly to different in-game stimuli which are linked to faster processing and improved sustained attention in individuals (Eichenbaum, Bavelier & Green 2014, p. 60). Furthermore, action video game play improves visual attention skills such as the ability to concentrate on objects across time or mental rotation. Experimental findings show that only 10 hours of video gaming are required to improve these skills (Prot et. al 2014, p. 121).

In conclusion, there are several reasons why playing action and multiplayer video games are advantageous as they are associated with many activities that can boost cognitive functions, train children and teenagers in developing social and communication skills and also help them to deal with various negative emotions and generate positive emotional experiences. However, critics of video games argue that playing them is associated with social isolation, but this can be dealt with as playing video games encourages a sense of community. Furthermore, although violence is another issue raised, research has shown that the increased popularity of video games does not attribute to the increased in crimes caused by youths. Ultimately, parental and educational interventions and assistance is the key to ensuring video gaming can be harnessed to assist the youth of the future in self-development of desirable characteristics.

It’s All Over The New: Video Games Cause Children To Be Violent

Have you heard that video games cause children to act violent or more aggressive? , It is clear that video games cause children to behave violent and aggressively .The video game industry is everywhere around us, causing aggressive behavioral attitudes for people of all ages. According to many studies, it is proven that video games not only encourage people to be aggressive ,but to develop other serious problems such as physical consequences, mental disturbance, and psychosocial problems.

First and foremost, video games are one of the most common ways of entertainment all over the world despite the fact of how games can affect negatively your body and your brain. This article noted ”Playing video games for extended amounts of time can cause children to experience many of the same symptoms seen in computer vision syndrome in adults. Extensive viewing of the game screen can lead to eye discomfort, fatigue, blurry vision, and headaches”,(“Video games and Eyestrain” by Troy Bedinghaus, OD,verywellHealth). As this article addressed , game players get their head wrapped into the screen for hours and hours without taking any breaks forcing their eyes, mind and body to keep playing. “Game players” are skipping important meals, hours of sleep and even forgetting to do assignments for school. A study from McGill University states “human-computer interactions, such as playing video games, can have a negative impact on the brain. Some negative effects of videos games are: Noticeable changes to behavior, ignoring or not prioritizing responsibilities or interests over game time, continuing to play games despite the negative impact it may have, difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns, declining grades or difficulty in school ,can lead to social isolation ,and poor time management skills.”(Effects of video games by Smart Social). Moreover, it is important to bring awareness to video game lovers of serious consequences it can bring if video games are misuse.

In addition, video games cause mental disturbance in children. The content of video games nowadays can be described as violent and rated R . Popular video games such as Fornite, Call of Duty, League of legends, and Grand Theft Auto are just a small percentage of millions of video games with a lot of controversy since its content seems to disturb a children’s mental status. Moreover, video games play an important role in the mind of a child, if the content is good it will not disrupt the child otherwise it can guide the child to imitate and believe that certain attitudes are normal. “I’m hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video games is really shaping young people’s thoughts,”(Donald J Trump.2019).In addition, children and youth are easily exposed to video game content that goes beyond everything they’ve seen in movies or internet. “What studies fail to include in their data is that all video games rated Mature contain graphic sexual content and sexualized violence. One of the major “enhancements” in Grand Theft Auto 5 is that the player can not only rape and kill women, but they’ve now added torture scenes.” (“Violent Video Games” by Craig A. Anderson, PhD.).The video game industry should follow certain guide lines and be more cautious and even more restrictive with their content age rating system, it is concerning to see how games reward for killing innocent people, policeman , prostitutes with weapons such as guns, knives, and swords. Also, it is important to motivate parents to monitor what their kids are playing occasionally.

As a final reason, video games cause psychological problems. Therefore, when a child gets attached to violent video games the communication with family is reduced which makes the child psychological isolated and at greater risk of experiencing delayed social skills. Psychological studies indicate that playing video games more than 13 hours a week may lead to isolation.(Video games and Isolation by Dr Wendy James).It is important to take in mind that isolation and depression are mental health issues. Parents, friends and professors are in the obligation of recognizing the signs and keep a close eye on their love ones.

Overall, there is enough data and base evidence to state that video games cause children to act violent and behave aggressively. The video game industry is responsible for the negative impact caused to children and all those who are using this type of entertainment. Parents should be more aware about what type of entertainment their kids are getting attached to and try to monitor the time they used avoiding addiction

Designer Babies and Ethics

Abstract

This paper explores four published articles that discuss the ethical controversy presented around the subject of designer babies. With this in mind, designer babies have led to a world in which we need to discuss if regulations should be put in place, if individuals should be able to use genetic modification for something as little as choosing the gender of future offspring, and whether or not certain impairments are permissible or should be avoided. Moreover, scientist have taken genetic modification to far by crossing into unnecessary experimental situation. This in turn is a violation of ethics and in turn lead towards a future we are not ready for.

Designer Babies

At a brief-cited stage, the ability to design future offspring seems to exhibit a step forward on a scientific basis. New technology will adjust the lives of parents for the better and save the healthcare network a massive volume of dollars in the practice of genetic diseases because of faulty genes. However, deeper research suggests that the hassle concerning designer babies gives an endless quantity of ethical issues, medical nightmares, and large monetary gaps.

Furthermore, the ethicality of people using gene mutation in order to persuade a process of nature is not ultra-modern, this idea dates back to the in-vitro fertilization generation, which, whilst first supplied, developed a transcendent deal of dispute revolving around ethics. Similar to the in-vitro fertilization era, the designer baby idea shows a golden second that attempts to free society of trouble, which, on this matter, is the removal of genetic illnesses and the supply of desired traits to children. With this in thoughts, humanity has proceeded to blossom due to the variety in which we continue to have. Liao (2019) states with new technology permitting people to create genetically perfected adolescents without regulation, diversity will be distort (p.150) This will eventually change the ethics based upon diversity today to a future society not based on equal opportunity.

Moreover, the number one moral problem over the concept of designer babies and the manner it might include come with the concern for the safety of the procedure. Adams (2015) explains that in all scientific process’s protection is a crucial issue (p.42). Sensibly, there is the fear that the technique of making genetically modified babies will cause the disruption of greater vital genes that are important to human existence. In addition, the moral fear is that the making of designer babies will cause dabbling into genes that the medical world has not researched. Many characteristics mothers and fathers might want their children to poses are under the dominance of more than one gene. Kwak & Straub (1998) noticed that an amazing amount of genes being altered haven’t begun to be observed and profiled (p.142). In the end, genetic change places an innocent infant at risk which in turn is viewed as socially immoral.

Furthermore, designing children is not free of charge. Ethical issues are derived from concerns regarding the charges for the method of gaining a genetically perfected child. This approach is much like the Vitro-fertilization which do not come at a less expensive fee and commonly charge around thousands of bucks. Lemonick & Bjerkile (1999) study determined the following:

The ethical difficulty is based upon the fact that if designer infants grow to be a reality, the costly rate of the procedure will create a new social division between folks that can come up with the money for the expensive process and those who can’t. Consequently, the richer civilians might be capable of having offspring which have the suited trends while the lower class would now not be able to have that choice. (p.199)

With this in thoughts, the end result of a world ruled by genetically perfected rich human beings would exacerbate the current problem of the widening gap between the rich and the poor. Therefore, we cannot create a new social distinction that puts improved humans on one side and unenhanced humans on the other side. This leads to the affluent having all the opportunities to themselves.

All in all, the evaluation of morals concerning designer babies will continue to rise as more innovation and procedures on human genetic modification adjustment enhance. While there is a need to assess all the greater possibilities that designer babies offer it is important to understand the consequences the points in this essay present. While there seems to be a mass amount of study done on whether there will be long term effects of undergoing genetic design, it is apparent that this issue will continue to elicit debate and controversy in society concerning its ethical side, medical implications, and costly price tag.

References

  1. Adams, J. U. (2015). Manipulating the Human Genome: Are scientist going to far? CQ Researcher, 25(23), 529-552.
  2. Lemonick, M. D., Bjerkile, D., Park, A., & Thompson, D. (1999). Designer Babies. (Cover story). TIME Magazine, 153(1), 64.
  3. Liao, S. (2019) Designing humans: A rights approach. Retrieved from EBSCO eBook and Audiobook Collection database. Embodiment. Retrieved from EBSCO eBook and Audiobook Collection database
  4. Kwak, J., & Straub, S. (1998). Customized Progeny. Newsweek, 132(22), 18.

Effect Of Video Games On Children And Teens

With a few researches done it has been shown that many teens that play an aggressive game with a noble protagonist wont engage in risky behavior. This can seem like it will lead to positive affects, but there are many different facts that say otherwise. There are effects on the players, but are they positive or negative Many children that play video games will often be referred to as addicted(Memisevic). The new apps that we can get on our phones and the easy access to the media can impact the next generation as well. The video games some children play can lead to stress in the real world, because of the stress in their video games. There have been some cases where children that are too involved in their video games will become isolated. A few of the more aggressive games may also lead the players to more aggressive tendencies(Gilboa). There are some positive and negative behaviors of players. Though there are many drawbacks on the players of video games there also some benefits.

Video games may be very addicting, and parents may think that their child is addicted. This can make the parents think that video games are only bad for their child, but they can be helpful too. A parent may think their child is addicted because of a want to put off homework to play a video game. Video games can be too addicting if you are getting too involved, you may start to spend too much time on this video games and forget about things that you need to get done. The media can also make a child play more video games or feel pressured to play(Memisevic).

Dr. Deborah Gilboa has been researching the effects of video games, and the impact of media on its users. She has interviewed three people about it. Dr. Brian Primack more aggressive games can cause an attitude of aggression desensitization isolation and fear in some of its players. Directly from Dr. Gilboa’s article she states that (These are games in which the player is creating at least some of the violence. Playing this role too often or for too long increases the chances that a person will react to conflict with aggression.) The media and video games people use can lead to stress(Gilboa).

If you play a video game with a lot of aggression you are likely to show that same emotion, this is the same with stress. When you play a game and your protagonist is in a stressful situation you may experience the same emotions. The same is show with isolation.

Many people associate isolation with video game playing but there are times where the video game is what is keeping them from isolation. This happens most with a multiplayer game in which you must work together with another person to complete your objective, you don’t need to know this person but playing with them and working together can make you more assertive into situations in life(Gilboa).

In the case of aggression in children rising from the video games they play there have been some studies showing that the “first-person-shooters” lead to aggressive tendencies when playing for too long. An intense first person shooter player may react to a conflict in a way of aggression. This can prove that playing a video game for too long can cause aggression, but it is more likely to happen if you play a first person shooter. Although there are many negative effects there are still a few positive effects(Gilboa).

The video games a child or teen plays can give their parent insight on the way they feel. The parent may be able to critically look at their child’s behavior through their video game use. A study was conducted that showed that children that play video games for an hour or less a day are happier than the children who don’t play at all. There are many games that can help with a child’s life skills, and help you look at your own behavior(Gilboa).

(Most of the popular media will put an emphasis on the aggression on video games.) Says Jay Hull a psychologist from dartmouth college. A study in 2009 showed that playing an action video game can increase your contrast sensitivity. This is great for night driving, though this doesn’t work with a non-action video game. An open world game can help with some skills in life like problem solving, because in the world of this game you will run into obstacles that you have to get past.

According to Linda Searing a freelance journalist, some children who play video games excessively have shown academic failure, aggression, and antisocial behavior. Other video game playing children have shown a better built relationship building skills, and critical thinking. Another study showed that playing a multiplayer game that is very competitive has decreased loneliness, and anxiety.

Children and teens who play a one player game have shown a better educationally engaged personality. Though the good news is the education Hull also found that aggressive video game players often participate in activities such as binge drinking, smoking, and unprotected sex. Dartmouth professor Jay G. Hull also said that, the aggressive video games that are played by many children and teens can lead to dangerous driving.

In conclusion, it seems that the effects of video games on children and teens are more negative than positive. Next time you play an aggressive video game think about how it could affect you and consider switching the game.

Works cited

  1. Gilboa, Deborah. ‘Effects of video games on teens: The good, the bad and the useful.’ Your Teen Mag, 2019, yourteenmag.com/technology/teens-video-games. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.
  2. Inzunza, Jasmine. ‘In what ways do affect children and teenagers?’ Mindmeister, MeisterLabs, 2019, www.mindmeister.com/657600528. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.
  3. Memisevic, Fadila. ‘HARMLESS FUN OR BAD INFLUENCE?’ The Post – Standard, 21 Apr. 2011 [Syracuse, N.Y.] , p. 5. ProQuest, search.proquest.com/docview/862890896/ADD28BBDEBE4C28PQ/1?accountid=142874. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.
  4. Searing, Linda. ‘The effect of video games on kids’ behavior and achievement.’ Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2015, www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/the-effect-of-video-games-on-kids-behavior-achievement/2015/04/06/0781f084-d96f-11e4-8103-fa84725dbf9d_story.html. Accessed 19 Nov. 2019.
  5. St. Fleur, Nicholas. ‘Playing Video Games Can Help Or Hurt, Depending On Whom You Ask.’ npr, npr, 8 Aug. 2014, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/08/338855459. Accessed 18 Nov. 2019.

The Correlation Of Children’s Mental Health And Domestic Violence

Development and Attachment

According to attachment theory, an attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another person, across all space and time. If an infant does not attach to a primary caregiver within 5 years, then the child can face developmental problems. If a child is growing up in a home where they are being exposed to domestic violence, it is harder for them to form a secure attachment to a significant adult in their life. A secure attachment is needed for a healthy development (4), and helps a child experiencing domestic violence to cope (4). Without a consistent caregiver in a non-violent environment, development is severely affected (3). Issues and problems in early attachment can have dire and extreme consequences, which can affect them whilst they are being subjected to watching and/or experiencing domestic violence; and the repercussions can follow them deep into adulthood, and even remain with them for life.

“Toxic stress in the prolonged activation of stress response systems in the absence of protective relationships. Toxic stress can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse (6)”. Infants and small children (in early attachment stages) who are exposed to domestic violence in their home, are suffering from such a great amount of toxic stress, that it can harm their development of the neural wiring in their brain. This can lead to an impairment in their cognitive and sensory growth (1). The formation of basic specific neural wiring is essential to even the most primitive cognitive and sensory growth. Without it, the formation of much more complex neural pathways cannot be properly formed (4). This unequivocally damages them for life. When toxic stress is experienced for a prolonged amount of time after the attachment period, physical consequences are still suffered in vast amounts. Consequences of toxic stress can be as extreme as the development of diabetes, hypertension, and even cardiovascular disease (4).

A plethora of problems can arise from a lack of secure attachment through witnessing and/or experiencing domestic violence. Children who go through this, have to, in most cases, also go through the problems that are associated with it. They can have issues with bed wetting, potty training, and language development. These are all crucial developmental skills we learn in order to be accepted as part of society. Lack of language development from children in homes where domestic violence is common, so a mixture of this and poor concentration and focus results in their reading abilities being 40% lower than children in non-domestic violence homes (1). Children from these homes tend to have a much lower IQ compared to their peers; a whole 12.2 percentile lower than their peers from non-violent homes. Issues potty training and bed wetting tend to stem from similar issues surrounding sleeping issues, feeing/eating issues, and poor weight gain. These factors make child victims of witnessing/experiencing domestic violence physically weaker and thus innately less healthy and less able. The lack of attachment also affects them emotionally; children with no attachments are more likely to become jealous, aggressive, and violent in later life (3).

In England and Wales alone, 140 men and women each year are victims of uxoricide (one parent killing the other parent). This leaves their child without any significant caregiver, as one parent is dead, and the other is most likely incarcerated. Children who are made to experience the effects of uxoricide do not tend to cope well as they do not have a secure attachment to a non-violent adult anymore. This makes them much more susceptible to the effects of no secure attachments. Not all children who are experience the effects of uxoricide are left with no secure attachments, but the majority are (4).

The ramifications of domestic violence can affect the development of the child before it is even born. Pregnant women are less able to defend themselves than non-pregnant women. Women who experience the effects of physical domestic violence whilst pregnant are more likely to have a miscarriage before birth, or to give birth to a still born baby. If the baby survives the physical domestic violence in the womb, it is also more likely to have a long-term disability as a result.

Behaviour

Behaviour is how a living organism outwardly reacts to the external stimulus it experiences i.e. how it externally responds to its environment. Some behaviour is innate in all of us, however most behaviour is learned. Behaviour is learned through both classical and operant conditioning. Behaviour in children is greatly influenced by their surroundings and subsequently their home life. If a child is exposed to a certain behaviour regularly, then they can either adapt that behaviour or reject that behaviour; depending on how they react to it. Social learning theory states that we reproduce behaviour if we experience vicarious reinforcement from it. Vicarious reinforcement is when we see others being a rewarded for a behaviour, so we copy that behaviour as a result. For example, if a child saw their dad being aggressive to their mum, and their dad getting what they wanted, they would see aggression as a positive behaviour to display and therefore display that behaviour themselves.

When a child experiences low amounts of warmth from their parents and siblings, they are more likely to become aggressive themselves (2). Research by Penn and Waller suggests that lack of parental warmth can lead to callous-unemotional traits and aggression (7). If your family acts cold and distant towards you, you will in return be cold and distant, which in virtually all of cases leads to aggression. Children who witness/experience domestic violence tend to have much lower empathy for others vs children who have no experience with domestic violence (1). Low empathy towards others is an example of a callous-unemotional trait. The lack of empathy towards others can result in social isolation (1), extreme withdrawal (3), and anti-social behaviours (4).

Every child behaves differently when left unshielded and alone, living in a house where domestic violence occurs. However, there are many common patterns in their behaviour. These children tend to be irritable, in constant emotional stress, immature etc. Confusion over what normal behaviour constitutes is also a prevalent issue (1). Even though there are common patterns, there are of course other factors which can determine how children living with domestic violence behave. Gender can influence how you process this type of trauma, boys tend to differ to girls in how they react to domestic violence as a stimulus and vice versa. Girls are more often likely to internalise their issues with this stimulus, which can manifest itself in anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. Yet, boys are more likely to externalise their issues with this stimulus, often manifesting as aggression and disobedience (3). The extent of how severe the domestic violence is, also plays a large factor in determining behaviour. As the intensity of the domestic violence witnessed/experienced increases, so does the negative behavioural consequences; such as fearfulness and aggression. The more they perceive their mother as being subjected to conflict, the more acute distress they display. Subsequently, this leaves them feeling more fearful than their peers onlooking any form of adult conflict (2).

Exposure to domestic violence as a young child does not only affect you as a child, it can also affect you in your teenage years, and furthermore as an adult. Teenagers who were subjected to being exposed to domestic violence as a child, are more likely to be aggressive during late teen hood and going into adulthood. Teenagers who experience the effects of domestic violence are in fact 3 times more likely to be violent and engage in fighting. Moreover, an Australian study found that just over 40% of chronically violent teenagers had been subjugated to witness/experience extreme levels of domestic violence in the home (1). As an adult, you are more likely to be passive, withdrawn, and have a much lower frustration tolerance than your peers. Health problems are also more likely to occur; issues as serious as hyperarousal (a symptom of PTSD) can be a direct result of merely witnessing domestic violence in the home (3).

Psychopathology

Psychopathology is most widely referred to as the scientific study of mental illness and disorders. Our psychopathology influences every aspect of our day to day life- from our ability to function adequately; right down to what job we are able to obtain and retain. The psychopathology of children often dictates how they live out the rest of their lives. It is vital for healthy mental development throughout our live, that as children we have a strong foundation of positive psychopathology. The basis of our psychopathology is formed during the first 5 years of childhood. If, during these critical years, something negatively impacts your ability to attach to a significant adult caregiver; all aspects of your emotional and physical wellbeing can be affected in a disruptive way. Oftentimes, children who have to endure witnessing/experiencing domestic violence in the home, will not attach to a significant adult caregiver securely. Consequentially, they can go through their lives with a poor psychopathology.

Psychosomatic illnesses occur when a physical illness or condition is caused, worsened, or exasperated by your mental state/wellbeing, i.e. internal conflict or stressors.

Relationship Between Grandparents and Grandchildren: Essay

10 Lines On Grandparents For Kids

  1. Unconditional Love: Grandparents shower us with unconditional love, always ready with open arms and warm hearts. They create a loving environment where we feel safe.
  2. Wisdom and Knowledge: Grandparents are like walking encyclopedias, filled with stories and wisdom gathered over a lifetime.
  3. The Importance of Family History: Grandparents help us understand our roots. They link to our past and keep family traditions alive.
  4. Role Models: Grandparents often serve as role models. Their life stories of resilience, perseverance, and love can inspire us to be better individuals.
  5. Cultural Exposure: Grandparents can help maintain cultural continuity, passing on values, rituals, languages, and foods from their own upbringing.
  6. Nurturing Relationships: The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is unique and special.
  7. Emotional Support: Grandparents provide emotional support and stability. They listen, comfort, and give advice when we need it.
  8. Teaching Skills: From cooking traditional recipes to gardening or knitting, grandparents often teach us practical skills that can’t be learned in school.
  9. Fun and Recreation: Grandparents tell exciting stories, play games, and often spoil us with treats, making every visit a delightful adventure.
  10. Lessons of Patience and Understanding: Grandparents are patient, kind, and understanding. They teach us the importance of these virtues in our lives, shaping our character.

Grandparents Essay 1 (200 words)

The magic of grandparents is deeply woven into our lives, and their influence stretches far beyond the traditional stories told around the fireplace or the secret cookie recipe that no one else can quite replicate.

Grandparents, often the first people we turn to for comfort, provide a profound sense of security and affection. Their hugs are safe havens, their smiles infectious, their wisdom immeasurable. With an ocean of patience, they tolerate our tantrums, decipher our incoherent babble, and celebrate our small victories.

They serve as our earliest educators, sowing the seeds of curiosity and kindling our imaginations with tales of yore. These stories are not merely entertaining but impart lessons subtly, shaping our character and instilling values such as empathy, kindness, and resilience.

Grandparents also connect us to our roots, reminding us of our cultural heritage and family traditions. They live chronicles of our familial past, bridging the gap between generations. Their anecdotes give us glimpses into a world that once was, allowing us to understand our history and identity better. They lend an empathetic ear to our fears and concerns, helping us navigate life’s ups and downs. In doing so, they imbue us confidently, inspire self-belief, and encourage emotional expression.

Grandparents Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction

Grandparents are the heart and soul of a family, embodying wisdom, love, and warmth. They are the thread that knits the fabric of familial love, preserving traditions and weaving tales that pass on life’s most significant lessons. This essay seeks to encapsulate my profound love and admiration for my grandparents.

Why I Love My Grandparents

My love for my grandparents is ineffable, stemming from countless moments of joy, learning, and comfort we’ve shared. Their home has always been my sanctuary, where I am loved, cherished, and listened to with patience and interest.

Their stories, filled with wisdom and life lessons, transport me to a different era, providing me with a glimpse into the past while teaching me how to navigate the present. Every tale, whether it is about my grandfather’s school days or my grandmother’s childhood adventures, holds a valuable lesson – courage, honesty, perseverance, or empathy. These stories have become my moral compass, guiding me through twists and turns.

My grandparents’ unconditional love manifests in various ways, from surprise treats to comforting hugs during tough times. Their eyes light up at my achievements, no matter how small, and they are always there to lift my spirits when I stumble.

They have also instilled in me a deep sense of cultural heritage, bridging the generational gap with traditional customs, rituals, and recipes. The aroma of my grandmother’s cooking, and the resonance of my grandfather’s folklore, are parts of my identity that I cherish deeply.

Conclusion

To encapsulate the love for my grandparents is like trying to count the stars; it’s immeasurable and infinite. They are my guides, teachers, cheerleaders, and safe haven. They enrich my life with their wisdom, their love, their stories, and their presence. Without them, my life would certainly be less vibrant, less enlightening, and less comforting.

Grandparents Essay 3 (400 words)

Introduction

Grandparents hold an irreplaceable place in the family, their wisdom providing guidance, their stories offering inspiration, and their love bringing comfort. In this essay, I delve into my deep admiration and fondness for my grandparents, the twin pillars of strength and love in my life.

My Grandparents

My grandparents, twinkling eyes and radiant smiles have been my constant source of love and learning. My grandfather, a man of few words yet profound wisdom, embodies resilience and integrity. His tales of valor and perseverance, of his days as a young man overcoming adversities, have shaped my worldview and instilled in me the values of courage and determination.

My grandmother, a beacon of love and patience, is the heart of our family. Her tenderness, matched only by her strength, is a testament to the indomitable spirit of womanhood. Her tales, imbued with sagacity, reverberate with lessons of empathy, respect, and kindness. She is a walking chronicle of our familial history, her narratives painting vivid pictures of our ancestry and cultural roots.

Their home, filled with warmth and the sweet aroma of my grandmother’s cooking, has been my sanctuary. Each visit is a journey into age-old traditions, shared wisdom, and unconditional love. It is where I learned to knit from my grandmother, helped my grandfather in the garden, and discovered the joy of storytelling.

My grandparents have also played a crucial role in molding my emotional understanding. They have encouraged open communication, ensuring that I feel heard and validated. Their reassuring words during my moments of doubt and their ceaseless cheerleading have nurtured my self-esteem and confidence. Their legacy is not just their stories or lessons but also the values they have instilled in me.

Conclusion

In the grand canvas of life, my grandparents have painted vibrant strokes of wisdom, love, and compassion. Their presence has been instrumental in shaping who I am today – their values, my pillars; their love, my strength; their stories, my inspiration. They have not just been my grandparents but also my mentors, my confidantes, and my most ardent supporters.

The lessons I’ve learned at their knees, the values they’ve sown in my heart, and the love they’ve showered upon me are treasures I will carry with me forever. They’ve been the roots that keep me grounded and the wind beneath my wings encouraging me to fly high. In every sense, they are my past, my present, and the bridge to my future.

Grandparents Essay 4 (500 words)

Introduction

Grandparents are often synonymous with warmth, wisdom, and comfort. They are the family’s bedrock, providing a unique blend of love, guidance, and connection to our roots. In this essay, I reflect on my grandparents’ invaluable role in my life and their profound impact on my personal development.

Grandparents are True Blessings

Grandparents are true blessings, enriching our lives in numerous ways. Their deep reservoirs of wisdom gleaned from life experiences provide guidance during our moments of confusion. The old adage that grandparents are like parents with lots of frosting is a fitting depiction of the warmth and indulgence they bring into our lives. They love us unconditionally, spoiling us with treats, showering us with praise, and teaching us about values, empathy, and respect.

The unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren transcends the usual boundaries of love and care. It’s a relationship that fosters emotional growth, cultural understanding, and character development. Grandparents are our link to history, helping us understand our heritage, familial traditions, and cultural practices.

My Grandparents

My relationship with my grandparents is a kaleidoscope of cherished memories, lessons learned, and unconditional love. My grandfather, a man of great intellect and moral strength, has always been my pillar of support. His stories of his youth, filled with anecdotes of hard work, struggle, and eventual triumph, have taught me resilience and the power of perseverance.

My grandmother, with her ever-present warm smile and loving nature, is the glue that holds our family together. Her stories about her childhood, filled with the richness of cultural practices and familial bonds, have given me a sense of belonging and a strong connection to my roots.

Their home is a haven of love and wisdom, a place where time seems to slow down, where modernity gracefully blends with tradition. I have spent countless hours listening to their enriching stories, learning life skills, and basking in their unconditional love. These experiences have deepened my bond with them and played an integral role in shaping my character and values.

Moreover, the emotional support my grandparents have provided cannot be overstated. They have celebrated my achievements, comforted me during my failures, and consistently encouraged me to pursue my dreams. This unfailing support has been a significant factor in my growth and confidence.

Conclusion

My grandparents are, indeed, the treasured blessings of my life. They have sculpted my thoughts, guided my actions, and nurtured my spirit with their boundless love and wisdom. Their life lessons have become my guiding principles, their tales of yesteryears, my source of inspiration, their values, and my moral compass.

They are the torchbearers of our family heritage, passing on the torch of traditions, values, and stories from one generation to the next. They are the storytellers who have painted the canvas of my life with hues of wisdom, strokes of love, and the glitter of cherished memories. My grandparents are my roots, history, safe haven, and guiding stars. Their influence has been profound and indelible, a testament to grandparents’ incredible role in shaping our lives.

Grandparents Essay 5 (600 words)

Introduction

Grandparents are a gift to every family, embodying wisdom, love, and tradition. They are the keepers of family lore, the protectors of heritage, and the nurturers of the next generation. Their influence on our lives is profound, shaping our values, our personalities, and our perceptions. This essay delves into my unique relationship with my grandparents and the vast ocean of love that binds us.

I Love My Grandparents

My grandparents have been my guiding stars, illuminating my path with their wisdom and their unwavering faith in me. They’ve nurtured my curiosity, encouraged my dreams, and celebrated my achievements. Their words of encouragement and their consoling embraces during my failures have instilled in me resilience and self-belief.

My grandfather, with his twinkling eyes and warm smile, is a fountain of wisdom and life lessons. His stories of overcoming struggles, attaining success through perseverance, and the importance of integrity have shaped my understanding of life. His unwavering moral compass, reflected in his actions and principles, has inspired my own values. He became the person who taught me to believe in myself.

My grandmother, a woman of boundless love and resilience, epitomises warmth. Her tales of family, tradition, and the virtues of kindness and patience have been my earliest lessons in empathy and compassion. Her delightful recipes passed down through generations, have brought our family together in celebration of our shared heritage.

Their home is my sanctuary, where I’ve laughed, learned, and loved. It’s where I’ve come to understand the beauty of simple joys, the importance of family bonds, and the value of traditions.

Grandparents Love

Grandparents’ love is a unique blend of warmth, indulgence, guidance, and nurturing. It’s a love that knows no boundaries, a love that’s a constant source of comfort and joy. It’s in the way my grandmother’s eyes light up when she sees me, how my grandfather’s tales always have a special lesson tailored for me, in their unfailing support and encouragement.

Their love is also manifest in the wisdom they impart. Every story, every shared memory, every lesson is an act of love aimed at shaping me into a well-rounded individual. Their knowledge and experience, embodied in their advice and teachings, guide me as I navigate the complexities of life.

Moreover, their love is the foundation of my emotional well-being. My grandparents have always been there to cheer me on during my triumphs and pick me up during my lows. They have taught me to embrace my emotions, to express joy and sadness, hope and fear, thereby fostering emotional intelligence and resilience.

Conclusion

My grandparents’ love is the warm blanket that comforts me, the guiding light that shows me the way, and the strong foundation that grounds me. Their wisdom and values have been the building blocks of my character, their stories are the roadmap of my journey, and their love is the fuel that drives me.

They are my pillars of strength, my reservoirs of wisdom, and my biggest cheerleaders. They have shown me the power of patience, the virtue of kindness, the value of hard work, and the importance of integrity. They’ve taught me to value my roots and have nurtured me to become a better version of myself.

The bond I share with my grandparents is not just one of love but also of respect, learning, and mutual admiration. They have played a pivotal role in my life, impacting my personal, emotional, and moral development. Their love has been my stronghold, their wisdom my guiding light, their life stories my inspiration. In every sense, my grandparents are my treasures, their love my richest possession.

Grandparents Essay 5 (1800 words)

Elderly Raising Youth

There are many negative effects on the elderly raising the youth due to the opposing generations, psychological risk, and the contrast of financial viewpoints. Children who are raised by the elderly are exposed to a higher chance of emotional and behavioral problems. Another issue that occurs is financial debates. With the elderly being much older, they tend to think they have more knowledge. Historic parenting styles from the elderly raising the youth cause multiple issues due to the fact of how the elderly grew up.

One negative effect that comes from the elderly raising the youth is the risk of the children having emotional and behavioral problems. Those risks include behavioral and emotional difficulties such as depression and anxiety. These problems can alter the learning development of children(Smith, Gregory C., and Patrick A. Palmieri) such as facing those adversities of psychological risks due to the type of situation the elderly grew up in. Experiments show that the children’s actual parents encountered a type of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, death, illness, suicide, divorce, and incarceration(Kaminski, Patricia l, and Bert Hayslip). For example, in the novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” The main character Janie Crawford was conceived from her mother being raped at seventeen years old by a white school teacher. After Janie’s mother gave birth to her, she vanished for good and left Janie with her grandmother. With Nanny being Janie’s grandmother she was responsible for raising Janie. Those encounterments may have left an emotional or mental scar on the child. This means that an ample amount of parents leave their children for the elderly to take care of their responsibility. Most children build up animosity towards their parents for neglecting and denying them, which leads to the main cause of behavioral and emotional problems. Interactions with family members can also create more problems for the youth. For example, visitation from parents every once in a while can lead to an emotional breakdown. This often leaves the youth feeling lost and denied. Another negative effect is that the age difference between the elderly and the youth could lead to a disconnect. Children that suffer from these issues need the right approach to help solve their issues. The solutions could include counseling, therapy, and positive outlets to distract them from the main issue.

Financial problems can occur while the elderly are raising the youth. “ Census

Bureau data shows about 2.7 million grandparents are raising grandchildren and up seven

percent from the year 2009. A quarter of those families are living in poverty” (Gabriel-Douglas). About two-thirds of grandparents cited finances as their top concern regarding raising the youth(Monica Steinisch). This means that the elderly are not financially stable to take care of the youth. The elderly who already retired have a fixed income. With the elderly being unemployed, it causes potential challenges. Such as paying the bills and providing the necessities for the youth or child. In the novel “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, Nanny was lucky enough to have assistance raising Janie. The Washburns helped Nanny massively. They helped Nanny by giving her a place to live and a job. Nanny and Janie lived in a house in the backyard of the Washburns. They also clothed Janie with the old clothes they had. This took away a financial expense from Nanny. The cost of living is not the same as it was when the elderly grew up in. The economy continues to change. Without being financially stable the elderly could lose their grandchildren due to not being able to take care of them. This causes a lot of stress on the elderly because they are in a position to lose a loved one they don’t want to lose.

Another downfall is health issues due to the aging of the elderly. This can cause a large amount of stress by worrying about taking care of yourself and someone else. Stress can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, and many more. The elderly are more often to receive these symptoms due to their age. A cause of stress can occur from the elderly having too much going on. As the elderly continue to age, they require more medical needs, and while raising the youth. Many health issues can cause problems while raising the youth. Researchers show that this is extremely problematic for the elderly of color(African American) who have higher health risk factors(Deborah M. Whitley Susan J. Kelley Theresa Ann Sipe). Studies show that the elderly raising the youth are more likely to experience depression and health problems. This is due to the stress and physical demands of raising children. It also has to do with the aging of the elderly. This means that the elderly raising the youth has become the main issue of public health concerns. The elderly are most likely to have a low income and education level which causes them to live how they lived. Studies show that some grandparents raising grandchildren alone experience declines in health(Prb).

Smoking, a lack of physical activity, and diet are all risk factors for cancer, which is a health concern. Studies show that there is evidence that suggests that these risk factors in early stages can increase the chance of cancer in adultery (Science Staff Medical Xpress). With that being said, people who smoke cigarettes are caused by secondhand smoke on the youth causing future problems for the child. Cancer and asthma can be caused by secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard that can cause lung cancer and death. Secondhand smoke contains many chemicals which are toxic and carcinogenic. Those toxic and carcinogenic chemicals can cause respiratory tract infections, sudden infant death syndrome, and asthma flare-ups in children(American Lung Association). Respiratory tract infections, sudden infant death syndrome, and asthma flare-ups are all proven to be fatal for the youth. More studies have been done to show the harmful effects of elderly smoking. For example, researchers John S. Torday, Ph.D., and Virender K. Rehan, MD found that pregnant rats that were given nicotine produced asthmatic pups and then went on to produce more asthmatic pups of their own. The findings from that researchers show that nicotine can leave heritable genetic marks on genomes, which makes the future offspring more susceptible to respiratory conditions such as asthma. Researchers John S. Torday, Ph.D., and Virender K. Rehan, MD cited children’s Health Studies from Southern California. The study shows the results of smoking during pregnancy increase the risk of asthma in the youth. t (John S. Torday, PhD, and Virender K. Rehan, MD). The researchers concluded that the cause of the second generation’s asthma was epigenetic. These researches show that the elderly that continue smoking can have a harmful and fatal impact on the youth. Not only is smoking a huge concern for the elderly and the youth’s health, but the lack of physical activity and dieting causes a problem as well. With the elderly being much older, it is harder for them to exercise. Exercise and a proper diet are essential in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and live longer. Studies shown in the journal “PLOS ONE” insists that the spoiling of the youth by the elderly may have a negative effect on the youth’s health. The areas of weight and diet would be affected by spoiling grandchildren. The weight and diet would only be negatively impacted by overfeeding and lack of physical activity ( Welch, Ashley). Grandparents are known for signature dishes, but those dishes from scratch may contain many unhealthy ingredients. Many grandparents use sweets as a reward, to express their love, and to strengthen their bond (Welch, Ashley). Some sweets are unhealthy and this can be harmful to their grandchildren. Those sweets and unhealthy home-cooked meals could have a negative impact on the grandchildren being raised by grandparents. That is because those foods and sweets could be fattening for both grandparents and grandchildren. Fattening foods with a lack of exercise can cause obesity and other health concerns such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Some grandparents and their outdated parenting styles could have a negative effect on the grandchild. Those grandparents feel that because they successfully raised their own children into adulthood using their own parenting methods, then those same methods would work and be safe for their grandchildren. In 2017 at the Pediatric Academic Society meeting, research was shown that grandparents were surveyed on childcare techniques ( Jimison, Robert). Those outdated techniques included tasting solid foods in the first months of life and putting a child in an ice bath to reduce a fever. Many grandparents think those methods are safe but in reality, they are not. Putting a child in an ice bath to reduce a fever is actually dangerous. That is because the cold ice water could drop the body temperature too much and cause hypothermia (Jimison, Robert). Many grandparents believe they know what’s best for their grandchildren. That could pertain to who their grandchildren marry and when they actually marry them. This is another outdated parenting style that some grandparents portray. This parenting style was very evident in the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston. Janie who was raised by her grandmother Nanny was affected by her grandmother choosing who she was going to marry and when they were going to marry. Nanny thought she knew what was best for Janie. The reason why Nanny wanted Janie to marry her first husband Logan Killicks was that she felt like he would be a good husband for her. Nanny felt Logan would make a good husband for Janie because his house was bought and paid for and he also had sixty acres of land (Hurston,16). Little did Nanny know, Janie was not happy with him and she did not love him. Janie went through physical and mental abuse in her marriage. This goes to show that Nanny’s old fashion way of marrying someone for external things instead of internal feelings was harmful to her granddaughter. Though the novel takes place in an earlier setting, it is safe to say that just like many other grandmothers and their old-fashioned values, Nanny felt as if happiness comes with someone who is able to provide for you.

There are many negative effects of grandparents raising grandchildren such as greater psychological risks in children, financial matters, health concerns, and outdated parenting styles. Those negative effects are proven to be harmful to grandchildren being raised. They could possibly have a harmful impact on the society around us. Some of those grandparents were left to put together the missing pieces that their own children left them with raising their grandchildren. The main focus is, do the negative effects have too much of an impact to overcome in the process of raising grandchildren.

Relationship between Parents and Children: Essay

The relationship between the parents and the child is amongst the most prominent relationships in the life of an individual. Young children depend on their parents to provide them with fundamental needs as well as their parents provide their children with guidance and support to build their future generations. Communication is the source of social structures and the value of the partnership or its collapse lies in it. Communication entails listening, communication, comprehension, empathy towards each other, and emotion. Communicating basically means understanding how to give and realizing how to receive. Communication has been the most realistic way of exchanging ideas, information feelings, and emotions in a certain period of time one individual to the other. The desire of humankind to love, defend, and provide for their children have emerged from the concepts of biological evolution in accordance with evolutionary psychology. Communication is not terribly difficult among families but involves specific capabilities, flexibility, and space. Communication is a natural ability to express thoughts both verbally and non-verbally. Communication has a route on how people learn and as such it’s essential for human development. Communication is not just a way of getting longing for life rather it’s important by far any other factor to understand life and live successfully. Parent-child relationships depict many significant experiences in communication. Parent-child communication involves as much as valid expression. Parents try to be comprehensible to the child in respect of both the specific features of the interaction and the overall content of the communication.

Communication is not just a way of getting longing for life, rather it’s more important by far any other factor to understand life and live successfully and confidently. To care for children, parents should understand and respond to children’s needs and interests and help them to communicate with much assurance. Good communication interaction aids in developing positive relationships between parents and a child. The way parents interact with other family members and in society gives children motivation and influences children’s communication skills. Parents should always listen to their children attentively with eye contact to the child. In order to help a child or children interact and deal with their emotions, parents should always respect and accept the feelings of their child or children. It’s essential to identify feelings instead of denying the feelings of a child and comfort the child. To interact more with a child or children the parents should always move closer to the child and get their attention by getting down to their eye level as well as parents should talk clearly, use short sentences, and use positive language so it will aid the child to understand well. Modeling good behavioral patterns by using positive words, maintaining a positive calmness and a confident voice with a steady pitch, tone, and volume will aid children to pay attention. Children always look up to real models to help them shape their personalities and they always try to imitate the behavioral patterns and appearances of people who are desirable and close to them.

Currently, there seems to be more controversy regarding communication but inevitably, there’s less exchange of information. Modernist people have a certain tendency to communicate vaguely on the ground, but it is quite risky. People speak more now than ever over how essential the communication process within the family is, yet we can’t resist but wonder about what might be necessary for parent-child communication. In the absence of communication, family responsibilities will not be scientifically justified whereas communication creates and preserves relationships among parents and children. Via communication feedback, the interaction between parents and children will become more useful and effective. Parents could recognize, know and instead meet the real needs of children through communication as the framework of the motivational process; contact between parents and children contributes greatly to the development of effective and efficient interactions, understanding, and mutual acceptance between parents and children. However, the concern in the contemporary family is not whether the parent or child is engaged in the communication process, but whether they understand how and when to interact and if they thrive in convincing each other what he or she wants via the message conveyed. Sometimes when the child may not understand the actual meaning of a message, the blame almost always belongs to the parent that has failed to grasp himself and has not chosen the most effective way of communicating the message to his or her own child. Communicating when a child is distressed or sad could be comforted only by the parent’s physical presence. Acknowledging the child’s feelings by speaking to the child can make the child understand their own emotional state.

Members become progressively accessible to others in family relations as they build more trust. Cooperative, not unilateral, communication contributes greatly to this accessibility and the development of relations in relationships between parents and children. The use of an appropriate vocabulary involves two important implications: on the first hand, it suggests using terms and words that a child would understand as well as grasp easily and on the other hand, it entails the extent of culturally acceptable appreciation of all the vocabulary used to interact with children. A soothing voice and tone used in communication contribute to psychological comfort will be generated and stimulated, and the message will be faster and more efficiently interpreted than when an aggressive tone and voice is used by the parents. Rage that affects communication contributes to anxiety, fear, and communication confusion, and prevents feelings as well as affects the interaction process. The interaction-related body language may contribute to the parent’s or child’s acceptance or rejection of a statement. Once the parent tells the child that he or she is pardoned yet this message is complemented by a smiling face, the child can understand the message that is sent and considers it much better than a frown that could accompany the message for forgiveness. To always be easily understood and accepted, the message should be compatible with body language while preventing the ambiguity which may arise in children’s minds. Effective day-to-day communication with the child improves the parent-child relationship as well as the harmonious and dynamic progress of the latter.

Communication as a variable includes listening, understanding, appreciation, and proposing to the child how he thinks as well as feeling what his or her parents feel about him or her. A healthy relationship with the family depicts the environment as well as the good family atmosphere, strong emotional dynamics, the availability of comfort and support, lack of controversy, parental animosity, and abuse. This interaction profoundly affects the actions of the child as well as the growth and natural development of the mental and physical attributes of the child. Children’s harmonious growth seems to be the product of good family member interaction Which gives children the potential to establish their unique concepts but also provides a favorable position throughout the cultural universe.

Socialization is one of the parent-child interaction mechanisms that are most common and widely reviewed is socialization. Socialization is usually the process of sharing beliefs, attitudes, behavioral patterns, and views of the world. The impact of parents on children is especially prevalent and long-lasting since there are many possibilities for social interaction over a life of a child and prolonged exposure to similar socialization experiences is quite strong. Parents are socializing children for beliefs like faith, economy, and morality. Parent-child social interaction emerges via interpersonal mechanisms such as narration, modeling, developing and following the rules, having a conversation, and delivering unforgettable communications or vital signals that are taken forward by parents to affect their actions, judgments, and behavioral patterns.

Love and affection are always ubiquitous throughout the parent-child relationship, or indeed any verbal or nonverbal communication that suggests a strong sense of love for another. Trust reflects its dedication to it as well as the emotional investment in the relationship, as per the concept of affection interchange. Love and affection is an evolutionarily conserved conversational behavior that can foster a feeling of belonging and also has consequences for the parent as well as the child’s personality and linked health.

Parents socialize their children with specific health behavioral habits, values, beliefs, and practices. Children learn better regarding their behavioral patterns and improve them once they see their parents as confident and able to communicate healthy habits efficiently.

Studies suggest that even a child’s perception of identity tends to evolve at an early stage, and the same-sexed parent is the major source of identity socialization for the child. Gender socialization emerges via the perceptions of parents to gender-specific toys, perceptions of stereotyped aspects of boys or girls, reinforcement of in-home help, and expectations in schooling and relationship. A wide range of gender socialization studies illustrates the important roles parental interaction plays a major role in shaping a child’s perception of identity. Communication between parents and children strengthens their bond and acts to socialize children such as gender, occupation, values of relationships and skills, and habits of health, provides social support, shows affection, makes sense of their lives, and conflicts, handle private information, and create an environment for family interaction. While the relationship adjusts over the transitional phases of their lives, however parents and their children handle these roles and changes over time. The Communicated Sense Making (CSM) procedure involves telling a story and using story-like tools to coordinate and process one’s life experiences, interactions, personalities, and relationships.

The relationship between mother and child is an especially important source of strength and comfort in a life of a person, identification development, cognitive development, and social interaction. Mothers always establish deeper relationships with their children compared to fathers and communicate with their children quite regularly and with much more emotionality. One of the most significant, emotionally linked, interconnected, and complex relationships in the lifetime of a woman is the bond between mother and daughter. The bond between mother and daughter grows, strengthens, and redevelops throughout the years, evolving with the women’s various roles and personalities, and identities. Mothers and daughters are more prominent in the choices and preferences of each other to obtain mammograms when they trust, support, value, respect, and engage in bidirectional communication instead of just mono-directional conversation. Such results emphasize the importance of the relationship between mother and daughter on the physical, emotional, and mental health of women. Mothers have a significant and strong influence on the communication skills and behavioral patterns and well-being of children. There is considerably less focus on father-child interaction in comparison to the literature on mother-child communication. But somehow today, men are attempting to become much more deeply involved, affectionate, and emotional with their children in the new ‘changing world of fatherhood.’ Current fathers continue to remain working to make awareness to develop their identities as fathers in which they are more engaged, affectionate, and committed as well as determined to interact with their child or children.

Parents who’ve already received a good score on the parent-child interaction parameter suggest that most of the principles of effective communication are in the cycle of communication to their own children: enjoy talking to the child without ‘sermonizing;’ do not make comments which might hurt; listen attentively to anything the child says, encourage children to communicate and express and share their emotions as well as feelings; The present study emphasizes the importance of communication among parents and children, which plays an important role in establishing relational engagement between parents and children. Everything takes a lot of hard work and practice to be successful, as good communication. Children might realize and understand that they’re not going to change overnight. Mistakes will happen. What really is essential is that parents make an attempt to communicate effectively with their children unless they are very young. This will contribute to a much closer and more productive relationship and interaction between parents and their children. Sean Covey says “I think the greatest challenge between a child and parent is communication”. Therefore, the more parents communicate with their children, the more the children will develop their communication skills and have a better relationship, interaction, and connection with their parents and the people around them.

“The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day”

~ O.A.Battista

References

  1. https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=2ahUKEwiEhLPlsvjlAhVIinAKHX1PBzIQFjACegQIDRAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS187704281201350X%2Fpdf%3Fmd5%3D38864ba888e7e3b0e92fa9368997a08f%26pid%3D1-s2.0-S187704281201350X-main.pdf%26_valck%3D1&usg=AOvVaw1j7t6e4jHywUs9pJxfK32t
  2. https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=15&ved=2ahUKEwiEhLPlsvjlAhVIinAKHX1PBzIQFjAOegQIBRAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fpublication%2F308021134_Parent-Child_Interaction&usg=AOvVaw21OStpZihyt7iRsHuYB5iZ
  3. https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=19&ved=2ahUKEwiEhLPlsvjlAhVIinAKHX1PBzIQFjASegQICxAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parentingni.org%2Fblog%2Fparent-child-relationship-why-its-important%2F&usg=AOvVaw3TmsD8D4S5jX7D1DgTFedr

Please refer to the Instruction Sheet.

Violence Against Children In The United States

Violence is a prominent characteristic of the United States. Despite the efforts made to make aware that it is an issue that must be diminished, it has become a social norm that many are numb to. Specifically, violence has increasingly spread to children, who have now become both perpetrators and victims. According to “Children’s Exposure to Violence”, in 2014, 37 percent of children were physically assaulted and about half had been assaulted during their lifetime. In cases like these children’s involvement with violence is caused by a few reasons including, social norms, the “institutionalization of violence against children”, and “the secondary status of children”. (Tolan and Guerra 196). This then leads to physical injuries; “impaired development to the brain and nervous system”; “negative coping and health risk behaviors”; and negative “impacts on opportunities and future generations” (“Children’s Exposure to Violence”).

Children have always been impressionable to their environment, especially in contemporary society where they are exposed to the entire world with the touch of a button. On the internet social norms are being circulated so that young kids and adolescents are learning how to behave. Frequently, television programs depict violence as part of its plot. The programs are glorifying violence as a behavior that is acceptable merely because its portrayal is entertaining. This is an issue especially as children get older because “not only does risk for victimization increase, but the most likely perpetrators become other youths” (Tolan and Guerra 198) because they are learning to handle situations with peers with aggression. However, this is not the only place that teaches them this type of behavior, if a children’s home environment is stressful, they’ll sometimes resort to using violence. In this type of home, the child is weighed down by the persisting family problems so once they’re interacting with peers, they have no patience left to handle situations with any stressors. As the years progress, this is becoming a popular trend as “over 70% of violent crimes against youths aged 12-19 are committed by other youths” (Tolan and Guerra 178). Most likely the children are mimicking behavior they experienced with their parent and as they’re growing older, they’ll tend to make violence a habit.

The pattern of children’s involvement with violence has become a cycle much like the sequence of life. On the parents’ part their violent tendencies are usually triggered by poverty and economic issues. The adults are unable to control their difficulties and instead project their anger onto something they do have control over, which is their children. Furthermore, society is accepting of “parents’ rights to raise children as they see fit… akin to property owners’ rights” (Tolan and Guerra 202). This ideology encourages treating children as if they’re second class citizens. Adults will pay a great amount of attention to this hierarchy when interacting with children, so they are sure to make known of their dominance; and violence has shown to be a full-proof way of doing so. Without much of a voice, children have no other option but to obey the adults in their lives. The relationship between children and their parents is therefore based on standing beliefs created thousands of years ago.

Many cases of violence against children will have an immediate effect on the victim; the most tolling of these is death. Violence appears within the top 3 causes of death of youths in the U.S. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “as many as 53,000 children are murdered worldwide each year” (Javanaud). The perpetrators are determined on making certain that the victim is punished for their actions to a point where they feel pain; however, this form of corporal punishment goes too far when death is the result.

In regard to frequency, physical injury from violence occurs several times more often than death. For every death, there are hundreds of adolescents who sustain physical injuries. Injury can range anywhere from marks and bruises to cuts and broken/sprained bones. Largely, violence against children is a repeated act so children are falling victim to physical harm often. Each time a child will suffer from another mark, another bruise, another cut eventually leading them to a state that they cannot recover from.

Exposure to violence starting at a young age can impair development of the brain and nervous system. During these years, kids have multiple critical points, which must happen during a certain time frame, as they’re growing and developing. Surrounding these points, children are increasingly becoming aware of their environment and learning how to respond to it. Effectively when a child is witnessing violent and aggressive behavior their body is making use of the sympathetic nervous system that controls the fight or flight response; however, because the nervous system is still growing it’ll adapt to violent environments. The adaptation may prevent the nervous system from properly acting in various situations. Furthermore, it is known that abused kids show noticeable “linguistic competence…in the very early years” (Javanaud). Similar to the critical points of development, once the child is older it will be extremely difficult to compensate for their lack of vocational skills. These impairments will follow them all throughout to adulthood.

Subsequently, violence leads to negative coping and health risk behaviors. Youth involved with violence have a substantially increased risk of behavioral issues. The list includes but is not limited to smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, and engagement of “high-risk sexual activity” (“Violence Against Children”). Each of these behaviors and many more are key factors for downward spiral leading to a point where “the chances of running into conflict with the law as a juvenile are increased by 59%” (Javanaud).

Accompanying the negative coping behaviors are the presence of mental and physical health illnesses. The mental health problems associated with violence are not limited to specifics because of the varying degrees and nature of the abuse experienced. According to the Child Protection Hub by the age of 21 around 80% of people affected by violence had a psychiatric disorder. Two prevalent disorders are anxiety and depression. Anxiety disorder is defined as a state of excessive uneasiness and apprehension, typically with compulsive behavior or panic attacks; anxiety has many different branches which are also dependent on the person’s circumstances. Depression is defined as feelings of severe despondency and dejection, also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, and often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Both disorders will persistently affect the functions and interactions of everyday life.

One of the more long-term consequences is how violence impacts future opportunities and generations. All of the results mentioned above are contributors to the path of the child’s life. If the person becomes victim to any of negative coping behaviors, impaired development or mental health issues it will be difficult to find jobs; and even if a job is found it’ll take a great deal of effort to sustain their position. Again, the cycle continues as adults who were impacted by violence as a child end up portraying the same qualities and displaying similar behaviors as their perpetrators.

It is apparent that violence against children is a broad topic consisting of complex branches, all of which have their own causes and effects. However, the prevailing causes of social norms, standardization of violence against children and secondary status of children proved helpful in identifying outcomes ranging from injury, negative coping behaviors, mental health issues and to an impact on the future. Nevertheless, violence is ultimately a cycle where each outcome leads to another until it is time to repeat again.

Leticia And Discrimination In Obtaining Quality Medical Care

Discrimination based on cultural differences within the medical field is unfortunately common in the United States, particularly when it comes to vulnerable populations. Despite how far we have come as a nation and as a profession, research has shown that ethnic minorities and those living in poverty receive a lower quality of care and have a higher mortality rate. The quality of care is due to several reasons including: access, fear, and financial difficulties. Undocumented immigrants are especially affected by this trend, and because of their legal status, quality medical care can be hard to obtain.

In the case of Leticia Renteria, she is an undocumented immigrant who although is married to a United States citizen still lived in fear of being deported. She has had three children since coming to the United States, all of whom suffer from asthma and lack of necessities such as food and clean living conditions. Her living conditions do not help with managing their illness. The rural trailer park she lives in falls bellow livable standards. “Water coming from the well has recently been tested and reveals impermissibly high levels of arsenic contamination…homes are relying on septic systems, which unfortunately frequently fill or clog up, resulting in overflow, stench, …. down the street sits an illegal dump, …which now causes an unbearable stench and sometimes smoke in Leticia’s settlement” (Hutchison, 2018).. Leticia like many others in her region is living in poverty, and with poverty comes many environmental factors that serve only to exacerbate her and her family’s illnesses. Her living situation also increases their chances of contracting a more dangerous disease such as “toxocariasis, strongyloidiasis, dengue fever; toxoplasmosis, syphilis, and even leptospirosis”(Hortez,2018). This combined with the lack of constant nutritious meals, due to an insignificant knowledge of food stamps and another government aid has left her children in danger of future developmental problems.

One of the major barriers to quality medical care is access to reliable and consistent transportation. Like many living in poverty, Leticia and her family have only one means of transportation, which her husband takes while she is not working” (Hutchison, 2018). Marcos has the family’s only car at his work,..the nearest public transportation stop is more than 5 miles”. This severely limits her options and impacts both her and her family’s health. Each year over “3.6 million people in the United States” try and fail to obtain quality medical care due to their lack of transportation. Many of them like Leticia face the difficult choice between going to work and going to the doctors. Unfortunately, both Leticia and her husband work in professions where missing a single day of work can be the difference between eating or not eating. Because of this, they often put their health aside and postpone any necessary doctor’s visits. This affects their health greatly, one small medical issues can be compounded into something dire. What once could be treated with a simple medicine regiment now requires hospitalization. The lack of transportation also means that Leticia and her children are often trapped in their homes. The environment of their home is debilitating for their overall health; being trapped there most likely causes them to be sick more often. With the nearest public transportation miles away, even going grocery shopping is impossible “the nearest grocery stores, services, and recreation are more than 10 miles away.” (Hutchison, 2018). This not only limits where they can go, it also limits what they can eat. Without being able to go to the grocery store often, Leticia is most likely reduced to instant and frozen meals. These kinds of meals offer minimal nutrition, increasing the chances of malnutrition to set in along with all the health issues that accompany it. Even when Leticia manages to go to the doctors for her children’s asthma, she only goes to a small local clinic. This clinic, while it provides her medication does not have the resources to fully help with her families health issues.” the community clinic …does not keep any data related to these kinds of causes and does not connect patients’ health indicators to any environmental factors'(Hutchison, 2018). Because of this, not only are her children in danger of even worse health issues, the clinic may not have access to information that could provide Leticia better options for treating her children’s asthma, or how to manage her environment to hopefully limit the impact it has on their health.

Leticia’s lack of financial resources also has affected the quality of health care she and her family receives. Leticia and her family live in poverty, not making enough for necessities such as food shelter and medical care “ only bringing home a little more than $20,000 per year. This is far from enough to support their family of five” (Hutchison, 2018). One of the reasons Leticia only goes to the community clinic is because they cannot afford to go to a different better doctor. The annual cost for treatment of asthma is $3,266 per person all three of Leticia children have been diagnosed with some degree of asthma, which equals $ 9,798 total. That expense is almost half of their annual income. Because of this Leticia like many others, most likely either limit the use of medication to emergencies or share prescriptions. Those living in poverty face a difficult decision, between food and shelter or medications. The degree of discrimination increases, when dealing with undocumented immigrants. Many of them like Leticia are unable to find consistent and safe work due to their status. Many higher-paying jobs require potential employees to submit to either a background check or to provide a social security number. Because of this many are often forced to take seasonal low paying jobs. Leticia is forced to take jobs where she feels unsafe just get by, she is unable to complain because of her status as undocumented.

The last factor in the discrimination of medical care is fear. Leticia like many other undocumented immigrants fear being deported to their native country. This fear leads many to avoid seeking medical care even when they are gravely ill, choosing instead to self-medicate with over the counter medications in hopes they will get better. It is unfortunate that discriminatory practices exist within the health care system, while undocumented immigrants are protected under HIPPA there is still underlying fact that it just takes one anonymous call to ICE by a medical professional to have them deported. Many immigrants fear speaking their own native language. In the current political climate, speaking Spanish could have law enforcement called on you. In response to this, many immigrants who do seek medical attention go to lower quality establishments that do not ask many questions. They might also choose not to fill out prescription, to avoid being noticed by officials. As a consequence Leticia and her family’s health is poor, her children are in also in high risk for irreparable damage or death due to their asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition and requires not only medication but consistent doctors appointments to manage their symptoms. After her traumatic experience of being stopped and deported , when going to work she will most likely fear keeping up with doctors appointments anymore if was before in fear of being incarcerated again.

Leticia Like many other undocumented immigrates face challenges in obtaining medical care that many cannot fathom, due to circumstances outside of her control. Leticia came to the United States in search of the American dream, but because of her legal status she faces discrimination in medical care , making it almost impossible for her and her family to receive quality care that all Americans live healthily lives. More safeguards need to be put into place to not only protect undocumented immigrants like Leticia, but also their legal children .The of fear retribution or deportation has stoped many parents from looking for aid to help their children.

References

  1. Hacker, K., Anies, M., Folb, B. L., & Zallman, L. (2015). Barriers to health care for undocumented immigrants: a literature review. Risk management and healthcare policy, 8, 175–183. doi:10.2147/RMHP.S70173
  2. Hotez, P. J. (2008). Neglected infections of poverty in the United States of America. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2(6), e256.
  3. Hutchison, E. D. (2018). Dimensions of human behavior (sixth edition.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Incorporated.
  4. Social Determinants of Health Series: Transportation and the Role of Hospitals: AHA. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.aha.org/ahahret-guides/2017-11-15-social-determinants-health-series-transportation-and-role-hospitals.

Should Violent Video Game Be Banned?

Video games are defined as ‘games that we play thanks to a story-based audiovisual device’ (Esposito, 2005). In recent years, there has been an increase in the amount of scientific research on video games (Hamari and Keronen, 2017). Almost all children enjoy playing video games and it provides a great pass time activity for them. A child’s game can be good or bad in his life. For example, children who learn to play chess at a tender age usually show signs of high intelligence are the one. Instead, it does not extend to violent video games. Parents can sometimes be stunned by all the violence and aggression that they see in the video games. Some people might say that it is just a game and there’s nothing to think about. The question is if parents see their children playing violent video games, what will they do? Will, they let it be temporary interest or should they ban the game? It is a controversial topic with no clear answer. Nonetheless, the parents may take into consideration the following reasons for against playing violent video games so that they can make the right decision.

Furthermore, the potentially problematic use of video games may lead to psychological difficulties because it decreases players’ time and opportunity for real-life activities (Gentile 2009). People advocating against children playing violent video games say that it will lead to real-life violence. Children were unable to completely separate the actual and the virtual world. The correlation between violent content in video games and depression is possible in the light of research showing that the exposure of children to real-life abuse, either as victims or witnesses, is associated with poor mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Fowler et al, 2009). In general, studies have found that high exposure to violence is associated with increased levels of depression among children (Janosz, 2008). For the undeveloped young mind, this distinction is very fuzzy. Additionally, research of Anderson and Bushman (2001) has also argued that violent video games, without a doubt, pose a threat to children. The two definitions are often confused, assuming that what is appropriate in the virtual world would also be perfect in the real world. Therefore, they bring this aggressive attitude of aggression into their daily lives, hurting the people around them. And then they can’t understand what they’ve done wrong when they have to pay for the consequences of their actions.

Although there are strong reasons for those who want violent video games to be banned, there are reasons it should not. A suggestion was given by Bissell, 2008 state that violent video games can help people to relieve their stress, especially to those with high temperatures. When people engage in video game and shootout with an enemy, they might feel the mission has been accomplished as they have a way to release their stress. It like people feel entertained when they watching football matches and it brings the same effect on bringing the same to the group of people playing violent games. Besides, the doctors have shown that despite violent games being useful in releasing anger, it is also helpful to help the patient reduce the pain. Current hospital efforts show that this is being done to install such games. More importantly, the games help to entertain the plays as well as the viewers. There is a fact have shown there are over 70 percent of American youth are playing these games, if it is banned, they would engage in even more risky activities in their quest to be entertained, for example, drug abuse suggested by Goldstein, 1998. Compare for the teenagers to involve in social problem, staying home playing online game is a better option for them.