The area of the world I chose to
learn more about is Latin America and the Caribbean. The reason why I chose this region is because
I am working with more and more students from this area and I wanted to learn
more about children’s rights in this area.
Children in this region of the
world are confronting many challenges.
HIV and AIDS is killing children and is leaving children to grow up
without their parents as well. In Latin
America and the Caribbean alone about 50,000 boys and girls under the age of 15 are living with the
virus (unicef.org, n.d.). Hurricane disasters are not uncommon along
with floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
There is poverty, exploitation, discrimination, and little access to
education. Also, with the drug cartels
infiltrating small towns and government, there is fear and violence everywhere.
These experiences might have an
effect on children’s emotional wellbeing and development. Growing up as an orphan has it’s emotional
challenges and their healthy development may hindered if they are not receiving
the proper nutrition in their situation.
Natural disasters affect children in traumatic ways through violent
visceral images, fear, and the feeling of loss and confusion after. All of these challenges have negative effects
on children’s emotions and development.
Plus, the lack of access to education does not help children to reach
their full potential and instead of living healthy and happy lives as
productive members of society they might possibly fall into a downward spiral.
The insights I gained have made
me more aware of the severity of the challenges that children are facing in
this region and everywhere in the world. This has influenced me as a person and as an
early childhood professional in a way that I see how important my role is to
support children. By understanding the
challenges they face better I can be more sensitive to their needs and also be
an advocate for their rights.
Reference
UNICEF
(n.d.). [Website]. Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/
Rosana,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you, this research does make you more aware of the challenges children face all across this nation. It is overwhelming to me to see how children are suffering and dying because they lack basic necessities to survive. No child should have to suffer and all deserve access to a healthy life and the best education. But due to a lack of much needed resources the chances are very slim.