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Post by Admin on Jul 16, 2018 17:14:39 GMT -4
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Post by Dariel Diaz on Jul 18, 2018 17:47:04 GMT -4
Separating innocent children from their families, that is what this obsession of Trump with “safer borders” has provoked. The saddest part of it all is that for him, for the president of this nation, the long lasting effect that his actions have on these children is inconsequential. All he cares about is “keeping America safe”, but he does not realize that by separating these children all he is doing is creating lasting damage that might lead these children into dangerous lives, terrible decisions and ultimately foment the same outcome he is trying to prevent. Worst of all, I do not think he ever even asked himself, how would I feel if those were my children?
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Post by AS on Jul 20, 2018 22:21:31 GMT -4
You would think that Trump (or even people filtering his campaign) would learn from mistakes made in history. Just like Healy from the LA Times mentions that Trump’s actions may have ended his policy but it won’t be able to undo the mental and physical damage he has already done to so many children. Creating this separation between children and their parents plays a huge role in social skills that these kids would lack. I agree with Perrin, the struggles of a person’s childhood are bound to make an impact on their future, especially long term. Symptoms like anxiety, depression, hopelessness, trust issues, learning how to express and accept your feelings are situations your parents help you overcome during your childhood. Trump’s obsession and desire to “Make America Great Again” is coming at bigger cost than he will know.
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Post by Divya Kondaveeti on Jul 20, 2018 22:27:14 GMT -4
I completely agree with both of these articles. I took an Endocrinology class in college where we studied certain animals' level of cortisol when they were separated from their parents. Results indicated that the young babies did not develop certain traits that fosters their well being. An increase in cortisol levels were seen and a decrease in Oxytocin was seen. When the babies were not separated from their mothers and there was the proper love, coddling, and parental guidance, levels of cortisol were dramatically low and levels of oxytocin were quite high. Though I simplified this experiment, it supports the two articles' theory on separating kids from their parents causes a development delay and an increase in autonomic activities like fight or flight.
It definitely makes sense that these poor kids being separated from their parents are filled with anxiety and mistrust. Not having a parental figure or someone to take care of the kids creates feelings of grief=, abandonment, and low self worth. I understand that we cannot have a clinical trial in humans, but if we can perhaps keep studying them in monkeys or other animals, perhaps we can figure out how to reverse these negative adaptations aside from protecting them from separation from their parents.
I'm also not surprised that the negative changes in these kids lasts well into adulthood; when all the brain is getting fed are negative thoughts, increased in stress hormones, and anxiety, of course it will get short circuited and evolve into a structure that is suspicious of the world. You see examples of this everyday at PACT with our patients- Most of them have experienced some sort of emotional or physical abuse since childhood, or had parents that were not as supportive which led to them having a lifetime of low self esteem, low trust in others, impulse control, or conduct disorders etc. I have also experienced this first hand having grown up in the Asian diaspora where kids were constantly compared to other kids and negative reinforcement was the main form of parenting. Some of these kids grow up feeling overwhelmed and never good enough and push themselves too hard in fear of disappointing their parents or family members.
This is why I want to go into Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I want to be able to foster a healthy mindset for these children with special mental health needs so they can grow up to be successful and if nothing else, happy, productive adults with a strong sense of self and belonging.
Divya Kondaveeti
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Post by Rafael Arzuaga on Jul 21, 2018 13:15:10 GMT -4
I can’t imagine the stress, the anxiety these kids must be experiencing. The recurrent questions that must be going through their heads; when is my mom/dad coming back? Where are they? That uncertainty might even be misinterpreted in the mind of a child as an abandonment, worst in younger kids stages of development, creating mood disorders in a situation that their parents no longer have control of their freedom. Most of the kids in this situation are not old enough to understand the situation in which they have been brought on. The constant fear and anxiety will force these kids to isolate themselves and become avoidants, later to be grown-ups with mood disorders or anxiety disorders due to an unfair situation of life in which they had no control of.
Also, as stated in one of the articles, the stress of the situation will induce an increase in cortisol levels that will also suppress their immune system. Meaning you have an entrap population of kids with their immune system depressed, how long till they become sick, how many of these kids have been vaccinated? How far along their vaccinations go? God forbid any serious epidemic event may happen among these kids.
~Rafael A. Arzuaga
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Post by Naghmeh Soltani on Jul 22, 2018 12:36:20 GMT -4
Seperating children from their parents, is a zero toleracne to me. With research or without research, it's very logical that it will have long term effect on childen. I read in another article as well that the damage can happens inside and outside. For example, this is what happens inside children when they are forcibly separated from their parents. Their heart rate goes up and body starts to release a flood of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol which these stress hormones start killing the neurons which will have dramatic and long term damage bout pyschologically and to the physical structure of the brain. Those sparated from their parents at a young age will have less white matter and as well less gay matter. Therefore, the children who had been separated from their parents in their first two year of life, usually score lower on IQ tests later in life, and their fight-or-flight response system are usually broken.
As well, the research have shown speration leading to increased aggression, withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties and these children will have more alcohol-abuse problem. Also, according to the reseach on Abroginial children in Australia, the childre who were removed from their families aslo showed long-lasting effects. They were nearly twice as likely to be arrested or criminally charged as adults and hight rates of anxiety and depression later in life.
Naghmeh Soltani
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Post by Rodi Movassagh on Jul 22, 2018 14:10:55 GMT -4
I am not a big fan of our president, but we want to focus on the effect of this separation on the children. As it was mentioned in the articles, there is an immediate effect, which happens right away after the separation by children acting out in response and the long-term effects, that may remain for decades as Stephen Gilman mentioned too.
It's a difficult situation for both children and their parents; there was a reason behind their immigration otherwise they wouldn't come here.
Separating kids from their parent is evil and detrimental to their mental health, and we are not sure how these kids are going to turn out in future and how they are going to deal with this horrible trauma.
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Post by Abraham Attah on Jul 23, 2018 1:28:03 GMT -4
Separating children from their parents is never acceptable. Within the short amount time the law was put in place, over 2000 children were separated from their parents. As stated in the article, this is 2000+ kids who will potentially undergo significant psychological/biological changes, affecting the way they develop in the long run. Although the law has now been repealed, it is indeed sad that these children might never experience normalcy for the rest of their lives. I hope deliberate attempts are made to reunite the kids with their parents, follow them up and provide as many families involved with Medical/Psychological support.
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Post by Calbert Strawn on Jul 24, 2018 23:48:46 GMT -4
Contemporary U.S. political issues seem to be among the most complex that any society has ever had to contemplate, and the issue of border security is certainly no exception. On the one hand, a porous border is a major national security issue that needs to be addressed. Alternatively, many pounce on the opportunity to demagogue the issue by smearing migrants, many of whom’s labor is something on which the U.S. is incredibly dependent. When it comes to the issue of removing children from their detained parents, it stands to reason that the children will suffer long term effects from this trauma. One can see similar effects with babies who’s social development is severely stunted as a result of neglect or even the that lack significant physical contact. Like the older children on the border, their cortisol levels as well as their levels of hormones linked to bonding and emotion like oxytocin and vasopressin are significantly different than that of their peers. This has a significant impact on the children later in life, and, like the older children who have been separated from their parents, the effects often can not be completely reversed once loving contact (or reuniting them with their parents in the case of the migrant children) is established. As both articles state, these brain altering physiological differences often lead to negative behavioral traits like depression, symptoms of PTSD, aggression, etc. well into adulthood. So if a major goal of a healthy society is the flourishing and well being of its members, then this child removal policy is most definitely counterproductive. In this case it seems like the law needs to catch up with the science if we are to continue moving in a positive direction as a society.
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Post by Joseph Michalisin on Jul 25, 2018 11:16:09 GMT -4
Politics aside, when discussing the separation of a child from their parent the affects are everlasting. Whether it be a child's parent leaving the home early on, losing a parent to a tragedy or in this case separating parents and kids, the emotional response is damaging. Even though at a younger age our brains are still molding and neuroplasticity is still occurring, the stress of not being with a birth parent is overbearing. Cortisol levels increase and the stress can lead to harmful effects on our immune system, memory, and learning capabilities. I am curious with regards to trust issues as well along with speech and language development. Not knowing why a parent isn't there for a child will lead to confusion and potentially closing off the outside world. I believe therapy is essential in times like these as talking through these issues immediately after they're occurring will lead to less damaging effects on the child. Of course, reuniting parent and child immediately is the most plausible answer but regardless I believe therapy must be done to not let the memories have a lasting impact. In the LA time article, seeing examples of conduct disorder, ADHD, and substance abuse were all significantly higher than those that come from intact households. I am glad this decision has finally been reversed and I am hoping the healing process can begin as soon as possible so these children can have somewhat of a normal childhood.
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Post by Erugo Oriji on Jul 31, 2018 10:33:45 GMT -4
The separation of children is not appropriate. It is a shame that this type of thinking still permeates in this country. It bothers me to know that people think that is acceptable that over 2000+ children have been separated from their patents. As a result, these children are at risk for psychological, emotional, and physical ailments which may affect their long term development. It is good to know the law has been repealed however, the damage has already been done to several of these innocent children. I hope that these children are reunited with their parents and are provided with the appropriate resources during this time in need.
Erugo Oriji
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Post by Lashay Hollinsid on Jul 31, 2018 20:17:59 GMT -4
Reading these articles breaks my heart. I think it is so ridiculous that these children are being separated from their families. It is so unnecessary and it is definitely a form of torture for both the children and the adults involved. It is very sad to hear the details of how this will affect these children for life! Hopefully this situation will be fixed soon and the children who have experienced this receive the help that they need to cope.
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Post by sukel40 on Aug 1, 2018 13:29:06 GMT -4
This topic has been very difficult for me to approach since day one. Obviously separating children from their families is sad and damaging for both child and parents. There will be so much room for PTSD and many other psychological problems. But on the other hand, these people were willing to risk everything including their lives across a desert seeking a better life. A lot was involved in that including the risk of incarceration or death. Unfortunately this is all extremely sad and I wish there was a better way.
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Post by AV on Aug 2, 2018 20:39:30 GMT -4
"Make America Great Again" is the slogan for US regression back to an age of darkness and evil doing. Never imagined that this nation will ever allowed one man to influence and destroyed so many lives. Most of this children, even those that have been reunited with their families, only they know how much pain and suffering this whole ordeal have put on them. Many of this children will probably have hatred built inside and suffer from episodes of violence in the future. Many others will suffer from life-long depression and separation anxiety. Who knows how many of these children will attempt suicide or be successful. What the US government has done, in order to satisfy the ego of this president, has no words and is inhumane. I hope that the US is providing for some of these families, to which they have caused so much pain and suffering.
Alex Villafuerte
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Post by Jamila Staples on Aug 14, 2018 11:41:33 GMT -4
I definitely do not agree with Trump's decision to separate children from their parents. In an effort to punish the parents for illegally crossing the border, I don't think he has thought about the fact he is also punishing the children and what effect this will have on them in the future. As a child and family development major, I learned about how the relationship between parents and children affects the child’s “attachment style” and how they’ll be in future relationships. By these kids feeling as if their parents abandoned them, they can develop anxious attachment styles. Not to mention the health effects of being separated from their parents. This truly breaks my heart.
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