Stess of Racism

Racism was a big stressor for me when I was young. I'm from a small town that didn't have many minority. When I started 1st grade I was sent to an elementary school about 5 miles from my house in the woods. In this elementary school I was the only minority in the whole school.  As a 1st grader you are small compare to the 6th graders. So you are not notice alot of times. I overheard some of the older children speak about my race in an awful way and it frighten me. I didn't want to go to school because I was scared, but I wouldn't tell my parents. I didn't have any friends in my classroom and the children were not pleasant to be around. I was so terrify by everyone in the whole school. I really didn't talk to anyone or participate in class. My teacher notice there was something go on, so she set up a conference with my parents. They ask me "what was wrong" and I didn't say anything. They ask me "did someone say something to me". I was so scared I didn't say anything until I got home. I had to repeat 1st grade because I couldn't comprehend any informatin in class. I was so stress about someone harming me because of my race. Till this day I can think back and cry because I know what it feels like for other children to be terrify in school. I don't know how I coped with it. All I can remember is my new 1st grade class and how much I like my teacher. My teacher made all my fears go away because she was so attentive to me and my needs.

The other country I looked up on stressors was Japan. Some of the researcher had several studies on what age group stresses the most. The older children in Japan stress more than younger children. Most older children stress about education, health fitness, and peer relationships. In Japan there is a certain standard to up hold.  "It is certainly true as students they must strict conformity demands of behavior and appearances to inhibit individual expression"(Kilburg, 1999) In American children worry about just getting to school and being present. In Japan they have different stressors. They have to worry about appearances if their hair is light it has to be dyed. Culture is big so that is something else they have to abide by. To me we have common stressors in American. In Japan children have our common stressors, but also additional ones.



 Kilburg, D. (1999, April). Socialization of emotional adaptation in japan:fundamental concept. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/donkilburg3/1999-socialization-of-emotional-adaptation-in-japan

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is an important topic for mothers and babies. I support breast feeding %100. When I was pregnant with my first child. I took a breastfeeding class and I recieve so much information why breastfeeding is important. I decide to breastfeeding both of my children. I believe that breastfeeding creates a close relationship between mother and child. Breastfeeding is so meaningful to me because there are so many way it benefits the baby such as fighting diseases, providing antibodics, and nutrients.  The word bonding comes to mind when I think of breastfeeding.

In Asia breastfeeding has came a long way. In 1970s breastfeeding wasn't popular in Asia. As the years go by the percentage of women breastfeeding has increased. In 1990's the formula scandal was going on and women started to breastfeed even more.After the scandal about formula, the percentage of women breastfeeding has went down mainly because of  traditional beliefs or misconceptions about breastmilk; the lack of public facilities to accommodate breastfeeding mothers; a maternity leave of only three months; and the aggressive marketing of infant formula. I learned that in the majority of china's hospitals breastfeeding is not promoted as much as formula. Women are discovering that hosiptal show no support toward women who are breastfeeding. Some hospitals offer free breastfeeding class, but they are given by the people from the formula companies. Most women do not see support from hospitals, markets, and families in China.

All this information is going to help me better inform parents from other countries about breastfeeding. In the United States we have several immigrants moving from different countries. Some of these countries either don't promote or educate people about breadfeeding. So when we meet parents that are from another country who are pregnant. We as teachers are entitled to educate them about breastfeeding and it's benefits. We can do that by providing information on the parent's board or a handout.

Wiens, V. (2011, August). Breastfeeding a baby in china. Retrieved from http://www.havingababyinchina.com/reference/breastfeeding-a-baby-in-china/

Ying , S. (2012, May). Social media campaign offers critical support to breastfeeding mothers in china. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/china_62387.html

 

My Own Experience

I had the privilege to have two precious children from God. I took different approaches to each birth. My first birth was my daughter.  I was amazed  every time I would go for my prenatal visits. I love hearing the information I got from my doctor and the experience of hearing my daughters heart beat. When you hear the heart beat it gives you this feeling that is unexplainable. I took some birthing classes before I had her to prepare for the birth. I also researched and made a decision to breast feed. During my contractions, I decided to get an epidural for the pain. And I also came up with a plan when she was brought into the world. My plan was after I had my skin to skin bonding, my husband was to give our daughter her first bath. Then he got the chance to have skin to skin contact with him.
My son's birth was kind of the same but I took a different approach with the pain. My husband and I decided to have a doula assist us with the pain of the contractions. I love having a doula. I also decided to do all my laboring at home. So when I was on my way to the hospital I was ready to give birth in the car. I didn't because the doula helped with the pain, so I wouldn't push. After the birth of our son, my husband and I did the same thing with the bath and bonding.

The reason I chosen both of my births because I took different approach with each one. The things I have chosen to do during the birth and after the birth was for the development of my children.  The decision I made such as breast feeding, first bath, prenatal check ups, and the bonding moments were some of the things that I felt would help my children develop. I believe we as parents should research and make healthy decision for our children when they are brought into this world. When having a child your focus should be on the development of that child.

The country I research about was Haiti. I found that there are differences and similarities in birth experiences compare to the U.S. Some of the differences that I was amazed by was that the women do not have the option of getting an epidural for the pain.  And some Haitian women may eat clay/dirt during pregnancy. Now, the reason why is they believe it will help to balance minerals, vitamins, and also help with the nausea during the pregnancy. One of the similarities  that I found was that breastfeeding is encourage and practice in Haiti. They continue breastfeeding for nine months just like some people in the U.S.

Reference
Background on Haiti  & Haitian Health Culture
www.cookross.com/docs/haiti.pdf‎