In my efforts to reach out to other professionals in the
early childhood field, I have failed to receive positive responses to making
connections. As the alternative to this project, I have listened to the podcast
by Maysoun Chehab. She is the Regional Early Childhood Care and Development
Program Coordinator at the Arab Resource Collective (ARC). During her podcast,
she discussed the effects war had on families and the reactions to children’s social
and emotional development along with the supports offered to parents. She made
a note that stuck with me when she described how when parents themselves do not
have support, they then cannot support their children. Her organization worked
to support the parents and provided training in coping techniques and strategies
in helping themselves which affected their confidence in helping their children.
The struggles a parent goes through during war can be
difficult especially when a child is involved. Having positive support networks
can greatly influence the parent’s ability to cope. This in turn enables the
parent to be better emotionally capable to care for their child as well. This
can be seen when looking into poverty situations as well.
In India, many programs have been implemented over the past
few decades to improve the economy and have had a positive effect according to
the Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre. India has the second highest
population and is home to the majority of poor people in South Asia. There are
three main types of anti-poverty programs in India: rural employment creation
and infrastructure development programs; self-employment; and food subsidy
programs. One area mentioned that still requires improvements are the
differences in gender equality despite efforts of civil society and government.
Girls continue to have limited life chances in health and education beginning
at birth.
Whether poverty begins from war or from increased population
and rural living conditions, positive support networks from either private or
government programs can make a big impact on a family’s well-being.
References
Glad you were able to listen to such an informative podcast. It must be difficult for children and their families to live in poverty but it must be even worse when children are affected by the vicious cycle of war.
ReplyDeleteTerri,
ReplyDeleteThis was very informative.I must admit I have never thought about the poverty that can come from war. This is something that an educator of children of war must be informed. And I agree it must start with rehabilitation and emotional support for parents. Parents I believe are the first teachers, therefore they must be emotional stable to support their children.
Terri,
ReplyDeleteParents are the sole providers for their children so when they can't provide for them then their children suffer when they shouldn't have to. War can cause many issues that may cause families to suffer as far as taking care of their children.