Blog Assignment: Impacts on Early Emotional Development

I had chosen the East Asia and the Pacific because I would like to learn more about the current events that is affecting the families and children in this region.  My roots came from the Philippines and whatever happens in this part of the world greatly affects my family and the country I grew up in general. I have never been concern in a wide scope before and this course had opened my mind to a lot of things most especially – awareness on how social issues such as poverty, war, terrorism, abuse, calamities and other challenges the family faces could impact the child’s well-being and development .

The challenges that children in this region faces is the child protection because there is not enough law or implementation of the law that protects children. The challenges children in this region faces were the use of children in armed conflict, the sale of children and child prostitution and child pornography. I felt like children were treated as shields and commodities and not as human beings worthy of respect and love.

These experiences will have a lasting effect on children’s social and emotional development as well as the totality of his or her whole development. I could not imagine the pain and suffering for both the families and children experienced being taken away and never knowing where you are going and what are they going to use the children for.  Nurturing parenting is first and foremost a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of raising children in a warm and trusting environment. I believe that children who are cared for can learn to care for him or himself and can transfer their caring for others and to the environment.  What they are given is what they will give. To nurture is to promote the growth and development of all positive traits, qualities and characteristics. So how can these children develop into good and positive children if they did not learn how?

It is really saddening to hear that this is still happening on this part of the region or probably all around the world.  New technologies continue to improve, developments in land and construction are expanding and commercialization of a lot of merchandise continues to grow, everything focuses on financial growth of each person or country but there is one important growth we have forgotten in our lives- the value of human life and well-being especially our children.

Having learned about the issues and challenges facing the future of our children, I felt committed to do something to advocate for children’s and family’s rights.  I will start by keeping myself updated on what is happening around the children in my care, their families, then my community, my country and the whole world and see what I can do to help protect our children’s rights.  

The UNICEF has done a great job in advocating for the rights of children, although they are faced with lots of challenges, the steps they do such as informing the world- they are here and something has to be done to protect these children is already a big contribution in preventing if not totally eliminate the use of children in harm’s way.  

Child protection is among our highest priorities in the region. When they are given the best start in life, children grow up to be healthy and well-adjusted, both intellectually and socially (UNICEF).

Reference:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/eastasia.html