Abstract This paper examines the problems children face upon the loss of a parent due to divorce or death. The paper provides a literature review which includes long-term studies on the effects of divorce on children. The paper further explains that these effects may include school problems, or more serious issues such as dropping out, drug use and crime. The author cites research that supports the view that the trauma of divorce for children is in some ways more complex and has wider developmental and psychological ramifications than the experience of death. Both death and divorce are extreme experiences in a child's life and both can have a wide range of native psychological and developmental repercussions.
From the Paper "The possible long-term impact of divorce can be seen in recent figures which show that children from broken homes are often more prone to drug addiction and the dependency on chemicals. A study by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta states that, "... 75% of children/adolescents in chemical dependency hospitals are from single-parent families." (A Generation At Risk) The reason for chemical dependency among children from divorced homes can also be linked to the development of behavioral problems that can result for the effect of the loss of a parent. As a finding for the National Center for Health Statistics states: "1 out of 5 children have a learning, emotional, or behavioral problem due to the family system changing." (A Generation At Risk) "
Abstract This paper discusses how the death of a parent can be a wrenching experience for the children left to grieve, though the degree of psychological turmoil may depend on a number of factors such as the age of both parent and children, the circumstances of the death, the structure of the family and so on. It examines how the type of death involved can make a difference in terms of how long it takes the survivors to come to terms with that loss. It shows how the response of adolescents to the death of a parent involves a complex interaction of feelings, thoughts and behaviors and how research shows that social support is one of the most crucial requirements for helping individuals come to grips with the grief process. It also looks at how the death of a spouse results in grief, depression, tension, anxiety, confusion and a severe sense of loss. It discusses how most of the feelings experienced by death do decrease over time with varying courses of treatment by the end of a bereavement period.
From the Paper "Before any person can begin to recover from the grief associated with a sudden and serious loss, he or she must acknowledge that a problem exists. Most people, after someone really close to them dies, believe that no one understands the pain they are experiencing. In a recent book written by one of the co-founders of the Grief Recovery Institute, the author mentions that the length and intensity of the relationship with the deceased determines the amount of pain the survivor will suffer (James, 1986, 18). That book recommends that people experiencing grief find "a fellow griever so you can learn and recover together" (James, 1986, 19). The author says that many people are able to grieve with fellow family members who are experiencing the same loss. That book suggests that people recover quicker and more fully when they are able to be around other individuals who are also suffering traumatic losses. Some sort of human support is important during a survivor's period of grief."
Abstract This paper studies the particularly difficult social plight of children in Brazil. As the author explains, there are fifty five million children under the age of sixteen in the country, of whom as many as twelve million are homeless, living on the streets and/or working in child labor, including in extremely abusive situations. The paper provides a detailed assessment of the various problems (as shown in the below outline) and then discusses solutions to them, both governmental and non-governmental. The paper concludes with a number of case studies about non-profit organizations that have endeavored to change the situation for Brazil's children.
Introduction to Brazil
Introduction to Societal Problems Involving the Children of Brazil
Homelessness
Death Squads
Child Labor
Child Prostitution
Sexual Abuse from Working as Domestic Servants
Why the Children Work
Solutions
Solutions Regarding the Death Squad Killings
Governmental Assistance
Law and Enforcement
Education Initiatives by the Government
Children Working and Attending School at the Same Time
Specific Targeted Programs
Assistance from Various Organizations
Happy Family
Amizade
Goat-to-School Program
Eliminating Child Labor in the Shoe Industry
Hope for the Future
From the Paper "Surprisingly, for its rather quiet history, and in spite of its rapid industrialization and economic growth, Brazil has some very serious social problems today. Cities are polluted and crime is rampant. The gap between the rich and poor continues to grow. The gap, in fact, is among the most substantial in the world (1999 Country Reports). As the United States Department of State noted, in 1995, the richest twenty percent of the Brazilian population received 63 percent of the nation's income, and the poorest fifty percent of the nation accounted for only twelve percent of the nation's income. The widening gap between rich and poor also may be seen in the availability (or lack thereof) of food, education, medical care, and services such as water supply, sewerage, electricity, and other basic needs required for daily living (1999 Country Reports)."
Abstract Summary: Children's literature can be useful in aiding children in this aspect of their growth. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the representation of death, and the fear of death, plays a prominent role in terms of character, plot and setting. The character of Harry Potter is defined, from the outset of the book, by the death of his parents.
Abstract The paper discusses the effects of secondhand smoke on children, that include asthma, a variety of other respiratory illnesses as well as a tendency for those children to become smokers themselves, thereby developing a lifetime of health problems. The paper also relates that babies exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The paper concludes, however, that through increased science-based education and outreach, the risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure and children may be significantly reduced.
Outline:
Second-Hand Smoke and Respiratory Disease
A Lifetime of Health Problems
From the Paper "The public debate over the health effects of smoking is barely half a century old, and the discussion initially focused on smoking as a one-victim crime. Even as science began to uncover links between smoking and cancer, respiratory diseases and other ailments, the prevailing wisdom was that smokers were only harming themselves. Science began to emerge in the 1970s demonstrating that people exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke could develop health problems, such as asthma and sinusitis, and in 1977 Berkeley, California became the first city in the nation to ban smoking in public places, such as bars and restaurants (Murphy, 2006). The dam really broke in 1986, when the U.S. Surgeon General released a report claiming that secondhand smoke was a serious health risk to non-smokers, and children in particular, leading to restrictions in hundreds more communities throughout America (Murphy, 2006)."
Abstract This paper examines the international history of the death penalty and then takes a closer look at the use of the death penalty in the United States. The paper highlights the fact that in most countries, gender and age discrimination are not a factor with regards to the death penalty. The writer points out that there are juveniles on death row. The writer also looks at different religions and their opinion on the death penalty. The writer concludes that until the law changes, law enforcement and prosecutors should continue to advocate the death penalty in cases of murder and crimes involving children. The writer also believes that the death penalty is the only punishment that sends the message to criminals that murder and other acts of violence and crimes are absolutely unacceptable.
From the Paper "There are crimes considered by our society to be so atrocious and intolerable such as murder or rape of a child that if convicted, that the only punishment suitable for committing these crimes is the Death Penalty. The Death Penalty, also called Capital Punishment, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as reprisal for crimes known as capital crimes or offenses. This type of punishment is set aside for crimes like premeditated murder, espionage and treason. From the primitive people to the modern world as it is today, the death penalty remains the largest and most controversial part of the criminal justice system. Supporters of capital punishment argue that it deters crimes, while opponents of capital punishment argue that it violates human rights. As we explore this much debated topic, we will discover the past, present and future of death penalty."
Abstract This paper examines the moral as well as legal issues regarding the sentencing of a minor to death for crimes. It argues how the sentencing of minor to the death penalty is wrong because it undermines the rehabilitation system that is currently in place throughout the United States. It stipulates how all citizens of the world, especially children deserve a chance to turn their lives around rather than have them cut short by a no turning back death sentence and how there are many reason why capital punishment for minors should be re-examined, from the costs of execution to the simple fact that a person does not develop fully until later in his or her teenage years. It looks at some of the underlying factors that cause juvenile crime and the debate of the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent versus the cost of capital punishment. It evaluates other ways to deal with young offenders such as the different probation programs available.
From the Paper "It is hard to comprehend the effects of the death penalty on a country, especially on as large as the United States but the reality of the situation is alarming. The facts are that as of 1996 over fifty percent of the prisoners on death row have the educational equivalency of an eleventh grader. This means that fifty percent of inmates on death row have had little or no chance to progress in their home, community, city, state, and country. These death row inmates have no chance to change, learn, or make anything of their lives. They have been sent away to rot in a cell while they awaits their execution and while their minds lay dormant. There have been several cases where minors have been sentenced to death. The Supreme Court has wrestled with this dilemma for a while and found that there are no clear objections from any region of the United States to executing a person as young as sixteen."
Abstract A comprehensive analysis of the legality of parents denying their children access to health care on the basis of their involvement in a "faith healing" religion such as Christian Science or Faith Tabernacle. The paper explains that for some residents of the United States, traditional medicine is not religiously acceptable in the face of sickness. On the contrary, these residents are so strongly against medicine that they will not even allow their children to see a doctor if they suffer from life threatening illnesses. It discusses how many followers of these religions are denying the use of traditional medicine and joining a movement that shies from what society considers the norm for treating sickness by putting their belief in God's ability to heal their family's illnesses. The paper argues however, that parents' religious convictions about the disuse of any type of medicine for their children should not be allowed as a legal means of denying their children this medicine because these convictions often cause the needless deaths and suffering of many children whom medical care would have helped.
From the Paper "For centuries America has debated to what extent church and state should be separated. More recently the argument about the disuse of medical treatment for religious reasons and the resulting deaths of the children of certain religious organization's followers has arisen. Since the seventeenth century when settlers came to America to escape religious persecution and seek religious freedom, the issue of separation of church and state has been in debate (Council 1). However, not all religions were given equal rights before the Bill of Rights was created: in Boston anyone preaching outside the established church could be fined or banned from the settlement (Weiss 11). Also, in areas that practiced South Anglicanism, those who spoke out against the Christian faith were sentenced to death (Weiss 11). However, the first amendment to the American Bill of Rights, which was passed in September of 1789, changed these discriminatory practices on a federal level and caused less religious discrimination to occur (Weiss 31). This amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Bartlett 3). This amendment did not, however, guarantee the protection of United States citizens from state religious discrimination; but the fourteenth amendment, which was passed at a later date, did (Weiss 32). Opponents for and against parents' rights to deny their child medical care based on religious convictions are eager to solve the question of the relationship of church and state and the necessity of parents to obtain medical care as required by state governments. This issue has thus become a pressing argument that must be solved quickly because many children's lives are at stake."
Abstract This paper is an argument in favor of the death penalty. The author uses several examples to support his position, including the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and the Oklahoma City bombings in 1991. The author looks at how, since colonial times, it has become progressively more difficult to be sentenced to death. The author also presents evidence that the death penalty does serve as a deterrent for some criminals. The author also states that especially since September 11 there has been a change in many people's feelings about capital punishment, and this evolution needs to be acknowledged when deciding when to apply the death penalty.
From the Paper "Once upon a time the things for which you could be sentenced to death were not so heinous. For example, in colonial America, ?offenses such as striking one's mother or father, or denying the "true God," were punishable by death.? However, that is no longer the case. Surely if we had such small crimes, no one in this modern age would care. But today we have ?More executions now per year than in any single year between 1600 and 1880.? Why? Because today there are more criminals that deserve to die. There is no state today where deny God can get you executed. The only capital crimes in America are murder along with (in various states) kidnapping, narcotics conspiracies, and treason. Despite the fact that we have more executions now than ever before, there is still a decrease in real punishment. ?Indeed, a calculating criminal might look at the extreme rarity of the death penalty and thereby be encouraged in his murderous course.? While we executed criminals every year, there are thousands more we fail to execute, and thousands more that spend the entirety of their natural lives on death row appealing their fates. This is not right."
Abstract This paper explores how several factors directly relate to the likelihood that children will be subjected to violence at some point during their lives. In particular, it looks at how social, economic, demographic, and physical factors all have a dramatic impact a child's development, either positive or negative, and how these factors also influence whether or not a child is more or less likely to be subjected to violence. It examines how children living in high risk environments typically serviced by human service agencies, including poverty stricken areas and foster care living arrangements, are among the children who are at increased risk for violence and abuse; children subjected to violence are much more likely to subsequently exhibit violent behavior later in life as well. It argues that it is the responsibility of caregivers and human services professionals to identify patterns leading to abuse and to teach children and parents to cope with the stressors that increase the likelihood that violence will occur.
From the Paper "Some additional and alarming statistics reveal that in 1997 the National Health Center for Health Statistics "listed homicide as the fourth leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 4, third for ages 5 through 14 and second for children aged 15 up" (NCHS, 1997). Violence seems to be occurring at a more rapid pace for very young children, those 5 and under. When social services is not available to intervene, this age group is the least likely to have resources to defend themselves, and thus often suffer the most. Children subjected to violence at this young age to exhibit more disturbed behaviors later on in school and in life. Many are incarcerated for committing crimes at a young age, and are released to society without ever having learned proper nurturing tools with which to survive."
Tags: poverty, death, foster, care, social, services
Abstract The paper explores the Children's Crusade in 1212, when thousands of children in Germany and in France marched willingly to their deaths in the horrifyingly naive belief that they could return the Holy Sepulcher into Christian hands. The paper discusses how this is among the more lugubrious tales that have been passed down to us from the Middle Ages. The paper reviews what made these children believe they could do what battle hardened armies could not and it examines how they behaved on their fateful march and what ultimately became of them.
Abstract This paper explores the existence of life after death. One of the primary sources is Raymond Moody's book "Life after Life", which describes people who have Near Death Experiences (NDE's) and have survived to tell about them. The author relates that, for centuries, many individuals have experienced spiritual events throughout their lives. The paper relates that, for most religious people, including the author, the Bible and other scriptures are the final word on what they believe.
From the Paper "Moody became known as the de facto expert on NDE's and his subsequent writings on the subject were greatly anticipated. One of his next books seemed to totally denigrate his earlier efforts and musings on life after life. One critic wrote, "By reducing the NDEs experience to a big joke, Moody in effect retracts the significance of the book that made him wealthy and gets the last laugh on the reader who buys his latest book expecting to see a serious philosophical analysis of NDEs." Does this mean that Moody completely changed his own viewpoint on life after death?'
Tags: righteous tunnels joyful children, right temporal lobe
Abstract This paper compares and analyzes two poems about death that were written almost three centuries apart. The reviewer believes that the poems "Death be not Proud" by John Donne and "On Death, without Exaggeration" by Wislawa Szymborska demonstrate the beliefs of two different generations on the topic of death. The reviewer further describes the former as condemning death's pride, and the latter as mocking death's frailty. "Death Be Not Proud" speaks of death as a subtle reality of life, whereas the modern-day poem "On Death, without Exaggeration" criticizes the imperfection of death.
From the Paper "Donne goes on to say that death is similar to natural rest or sleep. "From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be" (1453) implies that every time a man falls into sleep, he is performing an innocuous practice for the experience of death; however, death remains a part of life from which no one is exempt. Death, inevitable as it may be, is an assurance of Donne's believe that there is a supreme destination after death. It is a component of humanity and causes the poem to reflect a reverence toward and optimism about death."
Tags: John Donne Death Be Not Proud Wislawa Szymborska On Death, without Exaggeration
Abstract This paper examines death as addressed by two influential philosophers, Socrates and Epicurus. These philosophers take different approaches in viewing death and both have their own distinct reasons regarding it, however they reach the same conclusion, that death should not be feared. The paper discusses how Socrates addressees the uncertainty that follows death and how death may be even more pleasant than the life we once lived, while Epicurus addressees the non-existence of death, and illustrates how death does not affect us.
From the Paper "We shall begin our examination by looking at Socrates and the various arguments he makes. Socrates, a prolific philosopher in ancient Greece, was sentenced to execution and though given the chance to escape chose to stay and accept his punishment. According to Socrates, death is the will of the Gods and they alone know what lies after death. Mankind does not have the ability to acquire such knowledge, and therefore the afterlife is unknown to man. Socrates believes that individuals fear death because they fear the unknown, he therefore concludes that "fear of death is indeed the pretence of wisdom" (Plato, p. 3-4). Socrates gives two possible scenarios of what the afterlife may be like: "Either death is a state of nothingness and utter unconsciousness, or... there is a change and migration of the soul from this world to another" (Plato, p. 8). Socrates contends that there is no reason to fear an endless sleep, as it is a placid period which is pleasant to oneself."
Abstract In this paper, the writer makes use of the views of a doctor and of Socrates to demonstrate different views on death and dying. The writer examines the concept of a "good death" and death with dignity. The writer discusses how death with dignity currently refers more to medical science easing the pain of death, than to the Socratic idea.
From the Paper "A great deal has been written in recent years about the concept of a good death or death with dignity. Sherwin B. Nuland stated that an entire mythology has grown up around the process of dying. Like most mythologies, it is based on the inborn psychological need that all humankind shares. The mythologies of death are meant to combat fear on the one hand and its opposite wishes on the other. It will be argued in this report that death with dignity is now understood ... "
