Week 3: BLOG #5 Topic Proposal

1) Narrow scope of the problem: Focus your initial topic. (5 points)

In this course there have been many topics that got my attention, but the one that I would like to conduct further research on would be on the child brides. I would like to know more about the history of child brides and why many parents agree to have their children married at a very young age. In the documentary, Child Brides many of the women were married when they were fifteen or younger. Child brides are seen in many developing societies for instance, it is typical in Afghan. What got my attention on this particular topic was reading an article in which an eleven year old Afghan girl was forced by her parents to quit school and become engaged with a forty year old man. This research would also include some of the potential problems and concerns associated with these marriages without their consent. I believe that many of this children that are becoming child brides should have an option to deciding what to do with their life’s and live a normal childhood. Children are going thru many things in today’s society, but sometimes justice is not enough. There are many children that commit horrendous crimes, but in this particular case children are being maltreated by their own family and are becoming part of a horrendous crime.


NOW: Child Brides
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/341/video.html

2) Explain the types of sources you will be looking at for your paper (5 points)

For this particular paper I will be looking at some academic journals as well as outside readings. I will be looking into some current cases of child brides and how this has impacted the child’s life. This week we took a closer look at the problem associated with child exploitation as well as sexual abuse for which has become a severe problem. These children are forced to have sexual encounters with many men at a very young age. The potential benefits that will be drawn from these sources will be current events that are currently occurring. In the article, Stolen Lives, it gives an explanation on why many parents are marring their children at a young age. For instance, in Lebanese thirteen year old teenagers are being forced to marry because of the economic crisis. In this article it also gives on explanation on how religion plays a big role with these marriages. In the Muslim circle it is said that girls as young as nine are suitable for marriage.

http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/pqdweb?index=4&did=1897336191&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1279941192&clientId=25164

In the article, Poverty Trap-Child Brides, many assume that needy families in Arab are marring their daughters so that they are not trapped in poverty. It is amazing to know that this is the most recent article dated on July of this year. This also explains how the parents escape financial responsibility. But, it still amazing to know that this is actually happening know and that money is more important than their child as a whole.


http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/pqdweb?index=0&did=2077481961&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1279941615&clientId=25164


3) Provide a clear structure for the type of paper you wish to write (5 points)


The structure of my paper will have to do with the history, the problems and what is going on currently with child brides. I would like to understand why some parents do this to their children and how having a low wage can contribute to this child humiliation. Understanding the history of child brides could be a good starting point because this could help me understand the parent’s point of view and whatever stress they are facing. For instance, in the two articles that I provided, they only explain that parents do this for financial circumstances that they are being surrounded by. But, there are apparently more reasons why this keeps on occurring until this day. In the video, it provides some information about child brides in Afghanistan. I will compare them to other child brides in other parts of the continent. It is interesting to know that many children become brides at a young age based on their religion.

4) Provide a clear explanation about how your topic addresses issues of youth &
justice we’ve covered in the course (5 points)

This topic addresses issues of youth and justice in many ways because a teenager is becoming victimized by their own family. It is amazing that this is still happening in many of the countries. This later becomes part of normal life and nobody is doing anything to help these children who are in need of assistance. This case is significant because children are being prone to abuse without their consent. As stated in this week’s assignment many of these children are being exploited because they are forced to doing things that they don’t want. The men who usually get married with these children are thirty years old or older. For them there is nothing wrong about it because they are going by a contract between him and the parents. These children need to be protected by their parents and not sold to get out of poverty. These children need help and justice.

Week 3. BLOG #4 Child Labor Exploitation & Abuse - Child Soldiers

TRIANGLE
In the video, Invisible Children, it is clear that many children are becoming part of the violence in Uganda. There is not much that can be done to help these children because it is difficult for them to escape such horrendous life. There is still hope, but the truth is that it could be too late because a lot of children and innocent people are being killed by the Rebels. Power, violence and abduction are the main problem that children from Uganda are facing. Joseph Kony is the leader of the rebels, he has a lot of power including the power to harm innocent people. Having too much power has caused a lot of pain and suffering for those living in Uganda. Many people fear him because they know that he is very powerful and dangerous. Violence grows each day in Uganda; it all began when the rebels kill villagers without sympathy. For instance, when a child was going to escape he was tortured and killed in front of his brother. If the brother tried to cry they informed him that he would also be killed. It is difficult for many children to cry because they know that they will face horrendous consequences. Children abduction has been going on for years. Many of the children that are abducted from their home cannot go back to their family. They are becoming soldiers that kill without having an opportunity to choose their future. If they try to escape they will be killed in very horrific way. Children have been suffering such injustice for a while. Many have tried to stop this, but it has been difficult because Joseph Kony does not want to sign any peace treaty. For instance, in the 2007 when he was going to sign the peace agreement he never showed up. This was a disappointment form many that believed that the war was going to end and peace accomplished.

SQUARE
I agree that there needs to be peace in Africa so that the war can end. This horrific war began when the North and South fought for control in Uganda. If there is peace many of the abducted children can go back home. They do not deserve this much suffering at a young age. Many of the children are tortured and trained to kill; these children are learning to become violent. Joseph keeps on kidnapping children. Child soldier fear him and hide from him. These children need a new beginning they do not deserve the life that they are living.

CIRCLE
I was unaware on to what extent Uganda children were becoming prone to violence. It is not tolerable to know that these children are soldiers at a very young age. Children form ages nine to twelve are the biggest target because they can help with further abductions that take place in the schools. Many of these children are being killed without sympathy and they are facing a lot of suffering. When will this stop? How can these children be helped?

Week 3: BLOG #3 Child Exploitation & Abuse-- Youth Sex Workers

TRIANGLE
It is devastating to know that some children are becoming abused at an early age. Despite of this many do nothing to help these children. Sexual abuse, prostitution and exploitation on a child are the main concerns. In the video, Very Young Girls, it was interesting to know that some of these girls began with this trauma when they are only twelve years old. But, some of them keep on doing what they are doing for a long time. One of which still obtains a relationship with an older partner. Many of this girls reported sexual abuse form close family members, which began with molestation. The problem begins when these teenagers are charged with prostitution even when they are only sixteen. Some individuals don’t believe that charging an adolescent with prostitution is the right thing to do. Instead, they believe that these teenagers should receive help and support from outside sources and not become sentenced for being forced into prostitution. Exploitation is one of the biggest issue surrounding children that become sexually abused. In the video, Children for Sale, many of the children that were being abused were also being exploited by their owners. For instance, some of the children in Cambodia are being sold as slaves for sex. Some of the victims are as young as five years old. Some of these children are forced to have sex with grown men, this is horrendous. Prostitution in Cambodia is illegal, but children have become the biggest target. This was surprising to me because it helps us realize that many bad things are happening around us and sometimes we don’t even notice.

SQUARE
I agree that sexual exploitation is a nationwide problem. In the reading, Child exploitation in the U.S.A, it is estimated that around 300,000 children and adolescents are victims of domestic trafficking and sexual exploitation every year. This has become a cycle of abuse for many, it is said that family dysfunction causes prostitution in the United States.

CIRCLE
It was shocking to know that many young children have been forced to having sex with older men. This has become a nationwide problem and their needs to be a plan in place so that this could have an end. In the reading of Montgomery, it was interesting to know that out sixty five children that were interviewed twenty five were involved in sex work and nine of these children claimed that they were supported by foreigners. How can child exploitation and prostitution be prevented?

Week 3; BLOG #2 Child Labor in the U.S and Internationally

TRIANGLE
There are many places in the world today that still perform child labor. In the video, Working to End Child Labor, it gives clear examples on how five children work in India to help their parents maintain their home. India is one of the countries that have many children that work and become uneducated. Many of these children are paid low wages and for them play is a luxury. Child labor has negative effects on a child because they do not enjoy a normal childhood. There are many negative factors to child labor such as health problems, education and exploitation. Many of the children that are labors can have serious health conditions as they grow older. This is caused by working in factories that have toxins. According to the Journal, The health impact of child labor in developing countries: Evidence from cross-country data, mortality rate among children aged ten to fourteen is an important health indicator, commonly related to accidents. Many of the children are susceptible to malaria and this could have a negative effect in their health. Children that work do not have an opportunity to have an education because they are working for ten to fifteen hours a day to help support their family. In the other hand, in the website Youth Rules, it states that there are limited hours that a child can work based on their age and on the state that they live in. For instance, in Arizona, the minimum age for employment is sixteen and fourteen hours in a school week. Exploitation is a big problem when children are employed, employers do this because they believe that they will make a profit out of the children that they are giving employment to. They take advantage of a child life as well as the parents. This is more likely to occur when the parents are ill and unable to work. Children should have the ability to enjoy their childhood and not work at a very young age because this could be a generational issue.

SQUARE
I agree that child labor is an easy way out for many employers because they pay the children less than what they would an adult for the same job performed. For instance, in the video, Working to End Child Labor, the little girl that worked in architecture was forced to work by her father, and if she did not work the employer would go and yell at her father for not appearing for work. The child’s parents should take the initiative and protect their child of their type of predators that only want to take advantage of their child’s labor. If the parent forces their child to work it is impossible to end this type of injustice.

CIRCLE
I was unaware that in some states a fourteen year old teenager could work, I believe that the minimum age was sixteen, but this is not true for some states. I believe that the United States has come a long way avoiding child labor, even though it did occur in the past. There has been many ways in which we have come forward with positive laws that give advantage to a child and basically force them to have an education until they reach a certain age. Why do some countries still face child labor? Can child labor be avoided?

Week 3: BLOG #1 Convention on Rights of a Child

TRIANGLE
The convention on rights of a child was signed by all the countries in the world to protect all the children. Its main focus was survival, protection and development. The convention was adapted because many of the children across the world have suffered in a way or another. Children survival is important to the convention, according to the article there are less deaths of children from 12.5 million in the 1990 to 9 million in the 2008. This has been a big difference than what it was before and they are working towards a better survival technique for a child. Some of the vaccine given to these children has also changed the survival rate of these children. Breastfeeding has also been a good survival tool for children because they breastfeed until they are six months and this makes a difference in a child’s life. Many children need to have protection because without it they will be victims of violent acts. According to this article their needs to be an establishment of a protected environment. This is done to prevent threats in the environment, which could include traditional harm. This is a vital step which helps us understand that children need to be protected not exploited. Development is also important for a child because they need to live a normal childhood and not be a child bride. Due to some traditions children marry adult males but, they are barely in their developmental area. This is why it is important for a child to have rights.

SQUARE
I agree that a child has to have freedom like everyone else. In Article 13 Freedom of expression, it states, that the child has the right to express his or her views, obtain information and make ideas or information known, regardless of frontiers. For a child this is important because many children have been forced to be child brides at a very young age. The convention is somewhat comprehensive, but it still needs to progress and improvement.

CIRCLE
Many times the rights of a child have no meaning to many individuals. Many children are suffering from malnutrition, HIV and other deceases that can be prevented. But, many do not do anything to prevent this, instead they exploit this children. This problem is work in progress, even if many countries signed this convention it is imposable for many to abide to the regulation. In the video, The State of the Worlds Children, it had some astonishing images of children as soldiers and as brides. It is incredible how some countries do not overcome some of the past traditions. What can be done to protect a child in a place that is not abiding by the convention?

Week 2: BLOG #5 Youth Homelessness

TRIANGLE
Many children who become homeless have many things that they are facing in a daily basis. In the journal, From Home to Street, many had left their home due to physical abuse, family conflict and poverty. Physical abuse causes harm to the victim as well as their children. It is something that is difficult to repair and it will leave a scar for life. In this journal, Twig was a child who was pushed and hit several times by his step-father, but his mother did nothing to change that situation, because she was financially dependent on him. This led him to leave the household, but it was not as easy. For instance, he had several foster placements which were unsuccessful and he ended up leaving all of them within a short period of time. Although the circumstances of each placement varied, he described his struggles as trying to fit into a foster placement that did not acknowledge his past experiences. Family conflict is another way for which a person finds a way out without taking into consideration the possible struggles that this decision could later bring. Many times families are not supportive when there is family conflict; they tend to manage the situation differently. In which young homeless people often perceive themselves as antagonists in their life journeys. Poverty is a main issue from which a person leaves their home behind; many times when a person loses their jobs it is impossible to sustain their family for a long time. This can raise conflict of interest with the landlord and most likely will cause eviction. In the long run it could be difficult for a person to find a way out of a situation and most likely take life as its coming. Homelessness affects a large population in the United States, and it affects everyone.

SQUARE
In the Skid Row documentary, I agree that substance abuse is the major form of violence that there is. Substance abuse appeared to be a big issue in Los Angeles. According to the documentary, there are many people selling drugs, they do this without taking in consideration who is around. For instance, violence is seen every time without anyone doing anything about it. Franklin gave his testimony on how he saw a women been murdered and instead of getting anyone’s assistance they only kept watching on how she was getting stabbed.

CIRCLE
It is important to understand that even though there are many homeless individuals. There are many places that can help them with social services. But, despite of this many of the shelters are not that big enough for many of these individuals. Anyone can get the help that they need by going to the right place. Can homelessness be stopped or will this be an ongoing situation? What effects does it have on children?

Week 2: BLOG #4 Poverty and Schooling in the U.S. and Internationally

TRIANGLE
The article, Orphans in Africa had valuable information on schools and orphan children. It mainly focused on orphans school progress, enrollment and discrimination. According to this article, children who lose a parent through death often experience additional changes in the set of adults who provide them with care. They may also experience many changes in their lifestyle and this could have a negative affect for them in the future. School progress has been different for these children due to the lack of interest. These children cannot concentrate as well as they would if they were with their parents. This has a revolving issue for the child as well as the school staff. Enrollment tends to be lower than what anyone would expect with these children. Many of the children are facing problems of their own which could discourage them to attend school in a daily basis as well as their ability to learn. This article explains that low enrollment is not caused by being wealthy or not. This was concluded by a study conducted in Africa which found that enrollment was based on the gap between the schooling of orphans and no orphans, which explains the greater tendency of orphans who live with distant relatives or unrelated caregivers. Discrimination begins when the caregiver gives preference to its own child, but not to the orphan child. For instance, in this article there was a hypothesis, which considered that adult caretakers are less likely to invest in children who are more distantly related, holding both household wealth and the returns to schooling. It also explained that many adults are willing to invest more in their own children because they are more likely to receive transfers from their children later in life. This is sometimes not true when a caregiver cares for an orphan they might see them as their own child but this is always a challenge.

SQUARE
In the video, Through a Child's Eyes, many of the children that were being interview lived in extreme poverty. When a child lives in severe poverty the similarities are the same because they are lacking a good education and health care. Many of the children that were interviewed had the same points of view. For instance, many wanted to have a better place to live. I agree that a child should have a desire in life, of what they want to become later in the future. Many of these children have hopes and dreams. This is very important because they have hopes for a better tomorrow.

CIRCLE
It is important to understand that a child lives in poverty because it is a generation issue. Low wages is a big factor that contributes to poverty within this children household. Some of these children parents work hard most of the time, but in return they do not get much. They basically live on a daily basis. The quality of schooling for these children is different because some of the teachers have some training and they have a crowded classroom. Many times poverty can contribute to violence, because many children who are in need of something may be tempted to steal and this could become a major issue. What can be done to prevent violence in a community filled with poverty?