Malnutrition is defined by the Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, as a "lack of some or all nutritional elements". Imaging this on a world wide level. It is hard to believe and sickening to think of us Gallaudet students throwing away so much food and take advantage of three or four plates on random snacks. It is said that 1.02 billion people are undernourished. Three reasons are ignoring agriculture that is run by poor people, the economy struggling on a world wide level and the increase of food cost. This is said to impact 32.5% of children in countries that are developing. It is also said the 70% of children who are malnutrition live in Asia.
In the United States articles claim that 13 billion children are hungry. With the new "epidemic" in the US regarding obesity, this number it hard to believe. Can you imagine that one in every ten homes have children that struggle with hunger issues. It is said the first in these households that go without food are the parents, but overtime the lack of food effects the children as well. I wonder about matters such as this and if the government takes these children from their homes. Who reports these families and why are they not getting welfare, food stamps or going to shelters?
Articles on hunger explain around 11 million children around the age of five (kindergarten age) will die yearly. Half of these children's death is due to hunger, whereas a few are completely starved. In under developed poor countries about 25 % of children are underweight. This is a problem that should be protected under children's rights. All of this information is very disturbing and donating to organizations or volunteering in food shelter may make a difference.
WWW.worldhunger.org/articles/04/editorials/hungry_us_children.htm
WWW.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20facts%202002.htm
WWW.freedomfrom hunger.org/info/
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The United Arab Emirates
In class we had the chance to pry into a world that was unknown to me. I have heard stories but was never educated on their cultures and lifestyle in the UAE, which is part of the United Nations. Our guest speaker Khaled Almansoori gave a great presentation that focused on a wide range of topics. I learned that the seven emirates consisted of Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Abui Dhabi, Dubai (which I have heard plenty about from a friend who once visited), Umm al-Quwain and Ras al-khaimah. At first it was shocking to hear there was one president to run all seven Emirates until he compared that to the United States. I realize in a way it is similar to how the President Obama looks over all fifty states.
He emphasized the flourishing economy (with the help of export petroleum), health care, high literacy rate and the open mind they have on human rights. They appreciate tourism and do not judge if they are not dressed according to their standards where he is from. I was comforted to know I can one day explore his homeland and be welcomed. Moreover, I was impressed with the illiteracy rate being a low of 7 %. It was mentioned that those with high education must work. He further discussed health care and the fact that it is covered in full by the government. I was impressed and wish that was the case with me considering I am always going to the doctor.
I enjoyed his presentation thoroughly and learned a lot regarding his upbringing and the culture of UAE. The one fact that sticks out in my mind it $100 U.S. dollars is equivalent to $360 of their money. Naturally I thought "why not just move there and get a huge home for cheap", but he burst my bubble when he explained the cost of living was very expensive.
Overall, Almansoori was a friendly, informative presenter and I appreciate the time he took out of his day to share a bit about the UAE.
He emphasized the flourishing economy (with the help of export petroleum), health care, high literacy rate and the open mind they have on human rights. They appreciate tourism and do not judge if they are not dressed according to their standards where he is from. I was comforted to know I can one day explore his homeland and be welcomed. Moreover, I was impressed with the illiteracy rate being a low of 7 %. It was mentioned that those with high education must work. He further discussed health care and the fact that it is covered in full by the government. I was impressed and wish that was the case with me considering I am always going to the doctor.
I enjoyed his presentation thoroughly and learned a lot regarding his upbringing and the culture of UAE. The one fact that sticks out in my mind it $100 U.S. dollars is equivalent to $360 of their money. Naturally I thought "why not just move there and get a huge home for cheap", but he burst my bubble when he explained the cost of living was very expensive.
Overall, Almansoori was a friendly, informative presenter and I appreciate the time he took out of his day to share a bit about the UAE.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Chronic Poverty
Imagine a life of struggle. I am so fortunate for the life I live, the meals I look forward to and the shelter I take advantage of. After taking a deeper look into the lives of those who live in poverty, I have a much greater appreciation for the situation I was born into and the life I have lived. It breaks my heart that the children worry about their health and food and do not get to grow through imagination, education and play.
There are two forms of poverty. The one we will take a closer look at is known as chronic poverty. According to an article on Chronic Poverty Facts and Statistics, a staggering number of 320 to 445 million people are stuck in the cycle of chronic poverty. These people will not just go through rough spells, but rather continue fighting for their survival their entire lives. Many children who are born into this lifestyle are forever more going to deal with issues of money and much more. Knowing those in third world countries who live in these conditions have to worry about water conditions and their health tears me apart. Considering the fact that most people who live in chronic poverty have a voice that goes unheard we can speak up for them and collect money or donate our money to non-profit organizations trying to make a difference.
Chronic Poverty can lead to abuse, trafficking, starvation, single parents, illiteracy, death and the list continues. A households demographic is another influential factor for those in chronic poverty. Through my research of child sex trafficking, I learned many families who struggle with money and are stuck in poverty start making desperate attempts for survival that I find immoral on many different levels. It is said some parents will sell their children to men in order to make survive.
Thanks to Overseas Development Institute, they are putting together research to reduce the amount of chronic poverty and look for helpful resources. Creating gender equality can be very helpful and moreover offering social protection are steps in making a difference.
Chronic Poverty-Themes. Overseas Developement Institute,
www.odi.org.uk/themes-poverty/>
What is Chronic Poverty? Chronic Poverty Research Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
United Nations
What are two countries that are not apart of the United Nations and why do they refuse to join? I found that Taiwan used to be part of the United Nations, but after the year of 1971 they were replaced by China. It is interesting that still to this day Taiwan is not considered independent, although it meets the requirements. This is mainly because of political reasons. Whereas Kosovo it a country who took it upon themselves to be an independent country, which has the right to observe the United Nations. Apparently there is a specific number of criteria that must be passed in order to meet the requirements to join the United Nation and Kosovo is one of those countries that meet the criteria.
Case Two
Lucy is a 12 year old Thai girl who is forced to work as a prostitute in Japan shortly after reaching her 10th birthday. This is a common occurrence for many girls from Thailand. The number of ways this issue is morally wrong and devastating is outrageous. By becoming a piece of meat or and item sold you lose an important part of what makes you unique; your identity. In the article read it also mentioned men who are found and deported without being questioned if they were victims of trafficking is normal. If young girls like Lucy are not trafficked through porn, prostitution, or commercial sex, than the hard, gruesome labor expected from these individuals is nothing less than slavery.
It is against social justice in my opinion that the government undermines the Trafficking Victims Protection Act that could possibly save Lucy from emotional, mental and physical scars. It said that imprisonment started at a one year sentence in certain cases. I feel raising the minimum punishment will cause offenders to think if what they are doing is worth the consequences. I too find it asinine that men are not protected for labor trafficking. Those law enforcement officials who were compliant should receive equal punishment and definitely lose their badge.
Several Articles were mentioned in the Convention of the Rights of the Child that fit the link that was given to us to read:
Article 27 states: child have a right to standard living and adequate physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development
Article 32: "...Child should be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely hazardous or to interfere with the child's education or be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development"
Article 34 mentions it is unlawful for a child to engage in sexual activity
Article 35 says a child an not be sold or trafficked
37 and 39 mention children should be protected from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
and 42 states that these rights should protect children and adults alike.
According to the Ecological Model, the child being influenced by all the factors surrounding him or her. It is important where a child spends their time, the families influences, the community and how it supports the child and provides for a better life. A child of ten years of age is still learning the value of trust, building their identity and learning the importance of social connections. If everything around that child is based upon exploitation and sexual advertising many issues will lie ahead. The family could make a difference by finding other means to make money other then selling their children and the community can make a difference by turning in people they know that are doing such acts. Establishing more safe houses and becoming more strict with the criminal justice system and the punishment of preditors may be a start in the right direction.
It is against social justice in my opinion that the government undermines the Trafficking Victims Protection Act that could possibly save Lucy from emotional, mental and physical scars. It said that imprisonment started at a one year sentence in certain cases. I feel raising the minimum punishment will cause offenders to think if what they are doing is worth the consequences. I too find it asinine that men are not protected for labor trafficking. Those law enforcement officials who were compliant should receive equal punishment and definitely lose their badge.
Several Articles were mentioned in the Convention of the Rights of the Child that fit the link that was given to us to read:
Article 27 states: child have a right to standard living and adequate physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development
Article 32: "...Child should be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely hazardous or to interfere with the child's education or be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development"
Article 34 mentions it is unlawful for a child to engage in sexual activity
Article 35 says a child an not be sold or trafficked
37 and 39 mention children should be protected from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
and 42 states that these rights should protect children and adults alike.
According to the Ecological Model, the child being influenced by all the factors surrounding him or her. It is important where a child spends their time, the families influences, the community and how it supports the child and provides for a better life. A child of ten years of age is still learning the value of trust, building their identity and learning the importance of social connections. If everything around that child is based upon exploitation and sexual advertising many issues will lie ahead. The family could make a difference by finding other means to make money other then selling their children and the community can make a difference by turning in people they know that are doing such acts. Establishing more safe houses and becoming more strict with the criminal justice system and the punishment of preditors may be a start in the right direction.
Case One
Rudolph is a 10 year old boy from Delphi, India who has been forced to work in a glass factory nearby. He comes from a family of ten, and both parents are illiterate. Last year the father lost his leg in an accident at work and was laid off. My first thought immediately went to the ethical standpoint. Having said that 85% of children under fourteen work in agricultural setting made me cringe. The heavy loads of works placed on young children, the long hours and the heat alone are factors that I feel are not morally right health conditions for children. 9% were reported to be placed in fields related to manufacturing, which steals time away that should be spent on education to avoid illiterate children. Last it said .8% are working in factories with sharp objects such as glass and chemicals that can do internal harm to the lungs, or even damage and infect skin that gets cut. Children should play and go to school, which in turn will give them future opportunities , help them become well rounded and understand interaction amongst their peers.
I understand issues such as success of the country comes from the social engineering and economic growth according to the article, but in my opinion putting a child to work is ethically wrong.
As far as social justice is concerned, when I first read the scenario I thought why not have children work at a later age when their personalities have developed and their education is well maintained! Where is the welfare for the parents who are injured or an act such as the Americans Disability Act that would provide the father with compensation? There should be economical infrastructure supporting these people. According to Article three in the Convention on the Right of the Child, it states that the "best interest of the child" should be a determining factor. Article 27 states the "parent(s) or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, the conditions of living necessary for the child's development". This was the case until the father lost the job and forced his ten year old boy to work, which in my opinion is not providing a financially secure home.
As I red on I realized many Acts were set up such as Enactment of Children Act, Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, and organizations such as the Child Labor Technical Advisory Committee, to help deal with the rights of children. Although laws have been placed such as children after the age of fourteen are put to work, they get educated for two hours daily and work six hours in non-hazardous workplaces, I still find this morally wrong. Article 28 focuses on the education of a child, and personally I feel India falls short from their responsibility as a country by providing only two hours for children about fourteen. Article 32 states performing any work that interferes with a child's education and receives pay less than minimum wage is banned. I am sure children are being taken advantage of and are receiving less money than an adult in the same position would.
Bronfenbrenner's chart helps explain emotions can be first found within the family, but external forces shape them as well. With a family who is not secure and working conditions that put limitations to a persons childhood, it can be damaging. School is emphasized on the chart and is critical in my opinion to developing relationships. What we can do as a community is trying to advertise the situation here in the United States and donate to the non-profit organizations that are trying to put child rights laws into effect.
I understand issues such as success of the country comes from the social engineering and economic growth according to the article, but in my opinion putting a child to work is ethically wrong.
As far as social justice is concerned, when I first read the scenario I thought why not have children work at a later age when their personalities have developed and their education is well maintained! Where is the welfare for the parents who are injured or an act such as the Americans Disability Act that would provide the father with compensation? There should be economical infrastructure supporting these people. According to Article three in the Convention on the Right of the Child, it states that the "best interest of the child" should be a determining factor. Article 27 states the "parent(s) or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, the conditions of living necessary for the child's development". This was the case until the father lost the job and forced his ten year old boy to work, which in my opinion is not providing a financially secure home.
As I red on I realized many Acts were set up such as Enactment of Children Act, Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, and organizations such as the Child Labor Technical Advisory Committee, to help deal with the rights of children. Although laws have been placed such as children after the age of fourteen are put to work, they get educated for two hours daily and work six hours in non-hazardous workplaces, I still find this morally wrong. Article 28 focuses on the education of a child, and personally I feel India falls short from their responsibility as a country by providing only two hours for children about fourteen. Article 32 states performing any work that interferes with a child's education and receives pay less than minimum wage is banned. I am sure children are being taken advantage of and are receiving less money than an adult in the same position would.
Bronfenbrenner's chart helps explain emotions can be first found within the family, but external forces shape them as well. With a family who is not secure and working conditions that put limitations to a persons childhood, it can be damaging. School is emphasized on the chart and is critical in my opinion to developing relationships. What we can do as a community is trying to advertise the situation here in the United States and donate to the non-profit organizations that are trying to put child rights laws into effect.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Saudi Arabia
Culture in my opinion, is what helps mold our individual identities and makes us the kind of people we are today. Without our culture, traditions and values are of less significance. I learned a lot of interesting information regarding Saudi Arabia, which had only has access to technology for the past sixty to seventy years.
First, I will start off by discussing the king himself. I always assumed like in the movies, that the first born son gets the thrown when his father died. I was intrigued and surprised when he said it is the brother who gets the thrown since he would be old enough to preserve and cherish the Saudi Arabian culture.
The education system seemed to be similar to her in America. A Deaf child placed in a hearing school naturally will struggle and feel frustrated if there are communication barriers. Deaf institutes are available and the Deaf support one another.The main difference between American and Saudi Arabia's education system is the fact all girls and boys are separated in the Saudi Arabian schools. I was have to agree that coming to Gallaudet would be a culture shock and especially that here in America there is a lot of public affection displayed.
Respect seems to be enforced and deeply rooted in their culture and identity. It is of utmost importance to respect the mother of the household above the father. I feel that there is more dysfunction amongst the families here and that fathers tend to get the most respect. As mentioned in class, by the way both presenters handled themselves and took turns sharing their perspective of their culture, there was no doubt in my mind that this trait came with the territory. Brothers and sisters here in America are almost expected to have a relationship full of arguments, which lead to disrespecting each other. This does not mean siblings here are not close or do not have each others back, but simply unlike Saudi Arabia family in general seems to be more flexible.
First, I will start off by discussing the king himself. I always assumed like in the movies, that the first born son gets the thrown when his father died. I was intrigued and surprised when he said it is the brother who gets the thrown since he would be old enough to preserve and cherish the Saudi Arabian culture.
The education system seemed to be similar to her in America. A Deaf child placed in a hearing school naturally will struggle and feel frustrated if there are communication barriers. Deaf institutes are available and the Deaf support one another.The main difference between American and Saudi Arabia's education system is the fact all girls and boys are separated in the Saudi Arabian schools. I was have to agree that coming to Gallaudet would be a culture shock and especially that here in America there is a lot of public affection displayed.
Respect seems to be enforced and deeply rooted in their culture and identity. It is of utmost importance to respect the mother of the household above the father. I feel that there is more dysfunction amongst the families here and that fathers tend to get the most respect. As mentioned in class, by the way both presenters handled themselves and took turns sharing their perspective of their culture, there was no doubt in my mind that this trait came with the territory. Brothers and sisters here in America are almost expected to have a relationship full of arguments, which lead to disrespecting each other. This does not mean siblings here are not close or do not have each others back, but simply unlike Saudi Arabia family in general seems to be more flexible.
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