Noise is a common stressor in most African countries. I know of someone who grew up in a noisy part of Nigeria. She got accustomed to all manner of noise like horn blasts, children screaming and shouting while playing, noise of old cars and lorries, noise of heavy duty machines, very loud music of neighbours, etc. To this effect, she finds it difficult to sleep in a quiet or peaceful environment and may have to play some music while she sleeps. Reading without a music playing for is her is almost impossible as she said she does not enjoy silence. For me, I think it might be difficult for her to meditate or concentrate as these skills are needed for cognitive development. I feel this would have affected her ears too as she hardly hears low tone conversation and shouts while making phone calls. She probably might end up being a shouting parent in my opinion.
As I thought of a country to study about, South African Apartheid came to my mind and I am glad I did a research on it. I used to believe that apartheid has been completely eradicated in South Africa, but to my utmost surprise, I read that it still exists. South Africa has in existence more than one stressor like racism, violence, disease, hunger and poverty. South Africa has been called one of the most psychologically ill societies in the world because of the following reasons: high rates of family violence
It's among the highest divorced rate countries in the world
Fifth highest in the world coronary disease
Has a high rate of motor accident
Experience traumas linked to political unrest .
South Africans (Blacks) still face racism daily as it is reported that a black child is 18times more likely to grow up poor than his/her white counterpart. About 60% of children survive on 575rand($67 or 51euros); or around 2/3 of black children that are 18yrs and only 2% of white children--this is incredible! Ironically, out of 10million children, 8million are blacks.
All these of course affect their development. They have a high rate of disease amongst the children and malnutrition is common in the rural areas. 1/3 of under 14 are stunted and under weight. Some schools for the blacks lack cognitive tools to teach hence they are mentally retarded.
Sources:
AFP, 2012,Oct 17. South African Children still face apartheid- like inequality. Retrieved from
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i2lY455I6yN3_HCfTOk4mONdAe9A?docId=CNG.c87c030182d8aa078508c64fcad776ba.3b1
Hickson & Kriegler (1991, June). The effects of apartheid on the mental health of South African Children. International Journal for the advancement of counselling Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF00117733
Hi Toluwalope,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these information. It is truly sad to know that many children around the world suffer from racism, poverty, violence, and malnutrition. in fact, political corruption is a main reason for all these problems. Unfortunately, children are always victims of such irresponsible systems.
Hi Toluwalope,
ReplyDeleteIn reading your blog it caught my attention about divorce and violence within the family. I can relate to this due to the fact that my parents were divorced. I was an adult and had already started my own family. However, even as an adult you go through so much stress not knowing what’s going to happen within the next few minutes. I can just imagine how a little child would have to react to seeing some of the things that I saw between the two people that you love with all your heart. I cannot see these children being able to function correctly with all the changes and fear going on within the home.
Hi Toluwalope,
ReplyDeleteThe information that you posted was very imformative. In reading your opening paragraph, I realized that I do many of the same things when it comes to loud speaking and noise, I always have to have something on in the background when I am working.
Thank you for sharing your information on South Africa, Toluwalope. It is so sad that such inequality is existing in this world today. Children should not have to be dealing with issues of racism, violence, disease, death,hunger and poverty. It saddens my heart.
ReplyDelete