Representing And Experiencing Childhood & Adolescence

1. Representing And Experiencing Childhood & Adolescence TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

2. Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................................3 Representing and experiencing childhood and adoloscence......................................................................3 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................8 references...................................................................................................................................................9 TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

3. INTRODUCTION Childhood is a concept or phenomenon which gets affected or influenced by a large variety of factors and forces, because of which it needs utmost attention to be paid by adults to ensure that they do not get hurt in any way and that they are able to lead a healthy and positive childhood as well as adolescence (Schilling, Aseltine and Gore, 2007). War and armed conflicts is one of the major reasons that affects lives of children. There have been many wars over the years, which essentially has significantly influenced childhood. It can be supported through cases and situations of wars such as the World War I & II, etc. The present report sheds light and discusses how such wars and armed conflicts have transformed lives of children, due to which their lifestyle has been affected in a variety of ways. THIS IS A SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT BUY QUALITY ASSIGNMENT FOR A+ GRADE CONTACT US: TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com REPRESENTING AND EXPERIENCING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE Childhood and age of adolescence is one of those times which are very crucial in the lives of an individual, primarily because of reason that it is the foundation time for them where they learn things from their surroundings. It is due to this fact, many authors and child experts have said that it is imperative to provide conducive life to children so that they may learn new things and can later lead a healthy as well as positive life (Zielinski, 2009). In this sense, it may not be wrong to say that children learn from their surroundings and the people they share their lives with, like parents, friends, relatives, etc. Crooks and et. al, (2007) states that if any mistake happens during this time period or the children are not provided a healthy environment, then their lives can be affected or influenced adversely, which would gradually destroy their lives. It can be supported through fact that violence, as recalled by Finkelhor, Ormrod and Turner (2007), has a substantial negative effect on the children and also their TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

4. lives. Children are the young victims of war, rather than being a hero/heroine, as described by many terrorist organizations in the world. In this sense, it may not be wrong to say that using children as a vehicle for war and other armed conflicts is morally, ethically and socially wrong, as it has demoralizing and deplorable effects on the young individuals. Since centuries, children have been used a vehicle for war, largely because of reason that they have certain facets which makes them a preferred option over the adults. One of them is intimidation. They can be intimidated easily, i.e. a fear can be instilled in their minds, that essentially would enable them to fight a war. Another one is that children and such young solders do not demand for salaries and/or wages. This money, the concerned army can spend on arms and ammunitions, training, etc. In recent some years, acts of violence, such as wars and armed conflicts have increased by great margins, which in turn has negatively affected lives of children (Barbara, 2006). It is because of this reason, they are not able to learn the things that they should, in order to lead a better life and benefit the society or community they are a part of. In this context Aspelmeier, Elliott and Smith,(2007), opines that by providing a much effective childhood and adolescence, not only can lives of children be improved, but the society in general can also be enhanced. Many authors and child experts have said that children are the representation of the society and community. This is because of reason that they learn from the society, meaning that the trend prevailing in the society would determine their learning curve and also the way they lead their lives. Therefore, for modern day communities and the society in general, it is imperative that they collectively provide a conducive and positive environment to the children, that would help them in leading a comfortable life (Schilling, Aseltine and Gore, 2008). Over the last century, there have been many wars and armed conflicts which have negatively or adversely affected young people, i.e. adolescents and children all around the world. It can be supported through fact that they have to live in a negatively developed environment, that does not allow them to achieve a effective personal and professional growth. Along with this, wars have had their effects in the forms of physical, mental and emotional abuse, which collectively has destroyed their future. Armed conflicts such as the world wars, etc. have changed the whole landscape of how communities around the planet provide a helpful and conducive environment to children and adolescents (Dubow, Boxer and Huesmann, 2008). But Harding, (2013), recalls that war in relation to children must not be concieved only in terms of armed conflicts; or when two or more nations fight against one another through arms TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

5. and ammunitions in a quest for more power (political) and geographical coverage. It can be in the form of child abuse, such as child bearing, foeticide, etc. as well. This can be supported through late 19th century German and Austrian Childbearing, which according to many, is one of the prominent instances of childhood and adolescence being negatively affected by various third party or external forces. During this time, it was observed that mothers were killing their newborns “mercilessly” by smashing their heads (Coll and Marks, 2012). Children used to see their siblings being killed and dead bodies in sewers, roads, etc. which affected them emotionally and thus affected their overall childhood as well. This resulted in total destruction of the time when they should have been learning new things and leading life in a positive way. Main reason behind it, as said by many authors was that the parents used to believe that new born don't have souls, meaning that they can be killed. This concept was also known as 'kind of late abortion'. German and Austrian children used to be terrified as they very often used to see dead bodies around the places they used to live. This created a very bad image in their minds and thought that the dead children must have been 'bad' because of which they got such a fate (Perrin, Bloom and Gortmaker, 2007). Further, its impact on the children can be seen through fact that the young people in these countries, lived a life full of fear, that they would be killed if they don't behave properly or if they don't obey their parents, relatives and other elders. This way, quality of life was severely affected which essentially created a lot of troubles for them and also their future. Further, there was another kind of abuse that happened in these countries with children and young people. They were beaten up regularly by their parents, especially fathers. This instilled a fear in minds of children, severely affecting their quality of life. This was, observed by Barnes and et. al, (2009), a strenuous war against children and adolescents. Aspelmeier, Elliott and Smith, (2007) states that armed conflicts have very severe impact over lives of the children and their growth and development, as it can be supported through fact that in last some wars, it is these young people who have suffered the most. Many studies have found wars and armed conflicts to be a major destroyer of childhood (Finkelhor, Ormrod and Turner, 2007). Studies have supported it through examples of World War I & II, where it was observed that children were being plunged into the war directly, both directly and indirectly. In many a cases they volunteered to fight in the war for country that they belong to; while in some situations they were forcefully involved into the fight, which they did not volunteer for. Recent some years, a lot many examples of children being used solider in wars TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

6. have emerged. The latest of them being the example of the terrorist outfit Isis. This organization, recruits and trains thousands of children with a view to turn them into 'warrior' and provides them information on using different weapons. There are a variety of ways in which the organization uses children in wars. It uses them for guarding different places in its territory; or to arrest civilians; as blood donors; child combatants, etc. In a latest video, Isis shows a child beheading a prisoner. Main reason behind it is that the terrorist group aims at becoming world's most feared terrorist organizations and for that it has used a wide variety of techniques. But, according to many authors, using a child to kill prisoner is the most shocking as well as effective one. Isis's approach of complete indoctrination is another reason behind using children as combatants. THIS IS A SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT BUY QUALITY ASSIGNMENT FOR A+ GRADE CONTACT US: TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com It provides them education in using different weapons as well as trains them in hand-to-hand fights. Brain washing can be touted as one of the reasons for involving them in wars. Furthermore, another way that Isis uses them in wars is to carry weapons, or to be used as human shield, snipers, etc. Many studies state that, children and young people of the modern age have only seen violence and wars as a daily part of their lives, because of which it has become very difficult for them to lead a life which would bring positive results to them and help them to grow. In this context Crooks and et. al, (2007), opines that wars have been fought since a very long time and now have become a part of lives of people. But it is the children who have suffered the most (Immel and Goodenough, 2008). It can be supported through fact that one or the other parent joins the war for their country, mostly it is the father. If they die in the war, then the family, their children have to suffer, as they are the ones who get TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

7. bereaved and do not get proper care or attention. Since, they do not get proper care and attention, they do not get a very good upbringing. This is because of reason that the other parent, since is under extreme pressure of handling the family, starts to reduce paying attention to children, their needs and wants as well as the life they may be leading (Schauer and Elbert, 2010). In many cases, it has been observed that such bereaved children take the wrong path to life, as they start doing drugs and other such illegal activities. It is because of this reason, many a times, children do not get the care that they need and deserve. This is also an indication that they in various cases would get bad values and follow the wrong traditions. It would be very hard for them to live a life that may fulfil all their needs and desires and also provide them with maximum care, to lead a comfortable life. Furthermore, wars, as discussed earlier on many instances are joined by young people and adolescents either voluntarily or involuntarily. It can be supported through fact that during World War I & II, children, teenagers were getting involved in the war, as aggressors for their country; while there were some young people who were the victims of armed conflict (Barnes and et. al, 2009). It can be supported through fact that more than 2 million children, around the world were evacuated from their homes and moved to much safer places. During the same time, in addition to their basic education, children were also taught on using gas masks; along with this they also had to suffer rationing, many a times had to live with complete strangers. This left them deeply affected and influenced. Herein Espejo and et. al, (2007), said that impact of evacuation on children happened on the basis of social class and strata they belonged to at that time. The ones who were rich, did not had to suffer too much, as they just had to be moved to their manor houses and continue with their same education. But on the other hand, it was the children who did not belong to a high social class, had to suffer the most. This was mainly because of reason that many of them were separated from their siblings and some from their parents (Harding, 2013). It was due to this fact, they had to suffer considerably and their future life was also destroyed significantly. In this sense, it may not be wrong to say that due to the evacuation process, lives and future of many children was destroyed significantly, as they were left stranded, without any kind of knowledge and know-how of the world and also without their parents and/or relatives. This, in a great essence had left the young aged people with a large number of problems to face all alone. One of the major problems in this regard children faced was in terms of different cultures. Herein, it was observed that during the evacuation process, a lot of children from various parts of the country were TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

8. gathered in a single region or area (Barnes and et. al, 2009). This created some troubles for them, as they had to adjust to different cultures and traditions, which in itself was not an easy task. Considering the fact that they were just children, this turned out be an even more difficult process. Therefore, it may not be wrong to say that war has had significant and substantial impact over the children, which eventually proved to be very damaging for the society as well as the community that they were a part of. There are a large variety of ways in which impact of war on children and other young people can be described and discussed. One such aspect in this sense is that there were numerous children who got themselves involved in the war, although, from a moral and ethical point of view they should not have (Schilling, Aseltine and Gore, 2008). This essentially means that there are numerous children, over the years who have fought wars when they were below the gae of 18 years, i.e. they were minors. In this sense, it may not be wrong to say that they were the ones who fought wars for their country and some of them died in it. At present also, trend of using concept of child soldiers is very popular, as there are estimated 250,000 child soldiers around the world (Crooks and et. al, 2007). These young people, since an extensively long period of time have been used as a vehicle by armies to wage and fight wars, thus proving to be very dangerous for the society as well as the community that they are a part of. Many studies and research report have shown that more than 40% of child soldiers are girls (Espejo and et. al, 2007). They are involved in wars as sex slaves or wives of the male combatants. Due to this very reason, lives; livelihood, etc. of these children around the world are getting destroyed. Therefore, it may not be wrong to say that the war has created large amount of troubles for children, as they are not getting the care and attention that they should. There are a wide variety of ways in which children are used and involved in wars. Sometimes they are used as combatants, while some are involved in the war as cooks, porters, spies, etc. All the facts and figures, point that effects of war on children is substantially negative, which essentially has changed and also destroyed their lives. On many occasions they are treated very badly and are made to undergo severe mental abuse. It has been observed several times that they are forced to kill someone or maim their parents or other such family member, so that all their emotional connect and ties with them can be broken. This has very negative results on their lives (Aspelmeier, Elliott and Smith, 2007). This is mainly because of reason that it demoralizes them TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

9. emotionally, which in turn reduces their connection with the human beings, making them more resistant towards the community in a negative sense. In this context Schilling, Aseltine and Gore, (2007), states that even though the physical scars and marks that these children heal after a period of time, but the emotional and intangible impact that this phenomenon has on them, stays forever. Therefore, it may not be wrong to say that they have to suffer from psychological damages for the rest of their lives. This eventually leads to development of bad and negative results for society in general and gradual decline in their longing towards the society. Furthermore, studies have revealed that there are many children and young people who break away from such groups, but they do not return to their families or native lands, as they are disowned and ostracised by them (Perrin, Bloom and Gortmaker, 2007). This facet becomes all the more dangerous and demoralizing for them, when they are still in their formative years, such as teenage years. Because of this very reason, they are not able to lead a life, which essentially they should have with their parents and family members. THIS IS A SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT BUY QUALITY ASSIGNMENT FOR A+ GRADE CONTACT US: TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com Therefore, it may not be wrong to say that impact of wars on childhood is severe, as they do not get to lead a life which they actually deserved, full of care, attention and proper guidance. In addition to this, facts point that many of the girl child soldiers may have babies, due to which their family may not support and accept them back. Most of such children, since have not attended schools and have very less or probably no education, they cannot get good jobs to support themselves later on in their life, even when they break or run away from such situations (Immel and Goodenough, 2008). Therefore, it TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

10. can be said that the impact that wars and such armed conflicts have on children and their lives is substantial and it takes away all of their freedom and future growth, which actually leaves them stranded and can attain no rela progress or development. According to Zielinski, (2009), there are a variety of ways in which children can be affected due to wars. One of them is that due to wars and armed conflicts, they lose the chance for getting cared and pampered by their parents. Further, they also have to bear with fact that one of their parent may go and join the armed forces and die in field of battle. Because of this reason, the children get bereaved and they have to fight, overcome as well as suffer from the shock as well as after effects of it. Furthermore, since they do not get proper care and attention, they walk on or take the wrong path, which affects them for whole life and they are not able to lead a healthy and constructive life, doing something good with it. The emotional torture that they have to deal with is substantial (Barnes and et. al, 2009). Another way of looking at the impact of war on children is in financial and monetary terms. It can be supported through fact that due to wars, a country's economy is badly affected, which eventually wields its impact on aspects such as disposable income, GDP, etc. (Dubow, Boxer and Huesmann, 2008). Due to this very reason, individuals, i.e. parents of these children might lose their jobs or may experience significant reduction in their salaries and savings. In addition to this, companies in the country may lay them off, meaning that they may lose their jobs and become unemployed. This would result in decline in amount as well as care which the children get by their parents. In this regard, it may not be wrong to say that impact of wars can not only affect children directly, but it can also influence them in some indirect manner, because of which they may not be able to lead their lives in a comfortable, positive and constructive manner. It has been observed many a times that wars, usually do not affect children at a rapid pace, rather, it affects them at a very slow and gradual pace, which then goes on to destroy their lives forever and then not allow them to lead a healthy and comfortable life (Espejo and et. al, 2007). Over the years, there have been many theories and models that have explained the concept of citizenship. One of them was proposed by T. H. Marshall in 1949, and today is one of the most popular as well as effective theories of citizenship. According to him, there are three major elements of citizenship – civil, political and social. All of them have an important role to play, as they help in determining whether or not an individual should be given citizenship of a country or of an area. The civil element of this theory discusses that freedom of speech; faith; liberty, etc. must be the foundation TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

11. of any society. On the other hand, political element of the model states that right to participate and executive power are very integral; while the social component sheds light that there must be some certain minimum standards of living that every person or individual in the society must be provided with. If any of these three elements is missing, then it can be said that the particular community is not suited to giving any citizenship to people. These are the central pillar of any society. Thus in this sense, it may not be wrong to say that this theory of citizenship is applicable in the modern day community, where children are being used in wars and other such armed conflicts. It can be supported through example that the territory and area(s), held by for instance the Islamic State or Isis, actually cannot be termed as an area where its members can be provided with citizenship. This is largely because of reason that in this region, the three elements of citizenship are not maintained in a proper manner. CONCLUSION Wars and lives of children are related with one another in a significant manner, as children are affected and influenced by wars and other such armed conflicts substantialy. During the report, it was observed that wars breaks the children emotionally, psychologically, physially, because of which they cannot lead a life, which actually they should. Furthermore, the report also found that wars affect children financially as well, because their parents in many cases lose their jobs and are not able to support their family and the child as well. In addition to this, major highlight of the report was that children are used not only as combatants, but also for other purposes as well like cooks, porter, sex slaves, etc. TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

12. REFERENCES Books Immel, A. and Goodenough, E., 2008. Under Fire: Childhood in the Shadow of War. Wayne State University Press. Coll, C. G. E. and Marks, A. K. E., 2012. The immigrant paradox in children and adolescents: Is becoming American a developmental risk?. American Psychological Association. Journals Barbara, S. J., 2006. Impact of War on Children and Imperative to End War. Croat Med J. 47(6).pp. 891-894. Barnes, J. E. and et. al., 2009. Sexual and physical revictimization among victims of severe childhood sexual abuse. Child abuse & neglect. 33(7).pp. 412-420. Schilling, E. A., Aseltine, R. H. and Gore, S., 2007. Adverse childhood experiences and mental health in young adults: a longitudinal survey. BMC Public Health. 7(1).pp. 30. Dubow, E. F., Boxer, P. and Huesmann, L. R., 2008. Childhood and adolescent predictors of early and middle adulthood alcohol use and problem drinking: the Columbia County Longitudinal Study. Addiction. 103(1).pp. 36-47. Schilling, E. A., Aseltine, R. H. and Gore, S., 2008. The impact of cumulative childhood adversity on young adult mental health: measures, models, and interpretations. Social Science & Medicine. 66(5).pp. 1140-1151. Crooks, C. V. and et. al., 2007. Understanding the link between childhood maltreatment and violent delinquency: What do schools have to add?. Child Maltreatment. 12(3).pp. 269-280. Zielinski, D. S., 2009. Child maltreatment and adult socioeconomic well-being. Child abuse & neglect. 33(10).pp. 666-678. Perrin, J. M., Bloom, S. R. and Gortmaker, S. L., 2007. The increase of childhood chronic conditions in the United States. Jama. 297(24).pp. 2755-2759. Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R. K. and Turner, H. A. 2007. Poly-victimization: A neglected component in child victimization. Child abuse & neglect. 31(1).pp. 7-26. Espejo, E. P. and et. al., 2007. Stress sensitization and adolescent depressive severity as a function of childhood adversity: a link to anxiety disorders. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 35(2).pp. TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA

13. 287-299. Aspelmeier, J. E., Elliott, A. N. and Smith, C. H., 2007. Childhood sexual abuse, attachment, and trauma symptoms in college females: The moderating role of attachment. Child abuse & neglect. 31(5).pp. 549-566. Online Harding, L., 2013. Syrian war has caused 'collapse in childhood', Save the Children warns. The Guardian. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/13/syrian- civil-war-child-victims>. [Accessed on 21st March 2015]. Schauer, E. and Elbert, T., 2010. The Psychological Impact of Child Soldiering. [pdf]. Available through: <http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/missing-peace/The%20psychological%20impact %20of%20child%20soldiering%20-%20Schauer.pdf>. [Accessed on 21st March 2015]. THIS IS A SAMPLE ASSIGNMENT BUY QUALITY ASSIGNMENT FOR A+ GRADE CONTACT US: TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com TOLL-FREE NO: +61 879057034 EMAIL: help@assignmentprime.com WHATSAPP NO: +61 424715655 WEBSITE: www.assignmentprime.com ASSIGNMENT HELP & WRITING SERVICE AUSTRALIA