The Importance Of Childhood Development In Canada

In this writing it will be discussing childhood development, as well as some vital issues that might come along during those stages of development. Child development consist of the stage where the child is developing physically, cognitively, socially and spiritually. During these stages of development a child is maturing from infancy to becoming a young adult. For many years theorist such as Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, and Lev Vygotsky’s have researched how children mature from infants to adulthood. Each of the theorist have profound facts to how children develop, but which of the three men are correct on their findings?

FGM are “procedures which involve partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital or organs for non-medical reasons” World Health Organisation (2016) and encompasses four different forms: Clitoridectomy (removal of clitoris), excision (removal of clitoris and labia minora and with/without the labia majora), infibulation (narrowing of the vaginal opening) and other non-medical harmful procedures i.e. piercing (NHS 2016). Girls and women can be vulnerable to FGM due to their age as FGM is largely carried out on young girls, the association that FGM is a cultural tradition and it is expected for all girls and women to have FGM within these communities and a lack of education for

In an extensive article, by Richard Griffith he reinstates information from the WHO Organization that “It is estimated that 100–140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM).” (World Health organization, 2008). It is a horrible practice in which young females between the ages of infant and fifteen years of age, undergo a surgery for the alteration, removal or partial removal of their genitalia for religious or cultural reasoning’s. If that isn’t terrifying enough, understand that this takes place against the will of the receiving party. This is reason by itself, along with many reasons to stands up against FGM, as it should be outlawed entirely. But, before we can establish the barrier between necessary and criminal in discussion with this topic, we must look at the research and history of this practice, and let the statistics speak for its self.

100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM.

This initiative aimed to teach the parents about the importance of nutrition in child development and ways to improve lunches and long term negative effects on unhealthy eating as proper nutrition is an important part of healthy child development. Newcomers to Canada are faced with numerous challenges, and by targeting the low income immigrant parents we hoped to provide some benefit from the additional information. The initiative was completed through the suggestion of the principal as he reported seeing a growing number of students bringing unhealthy lunches to school with no signs of improvement. With the increased consumption of junk food, the principal mentioned that some behavioural issues such as hyperactivity and

Female Genital Mutilation, shortened to FGM in most medical texts, is “collective name given to several different traditional practices that involve the cutting of female genitals.” FGM is a common cultural practice in many parts of the world, especially Africa and Asia that was established hundreds of years ago. There are many different types of FGM, ranging from clitoridectomy, to cutting and infibulations (Skaine 7). Even though these procedures are accepted in the areas they are practiced, FGM has become a human rights discussion resurfacing in recent years because the procedures serve no purpose. Female Genital Mutilation is an unethical practice that should be outlawed throughout the entire world.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or a less ethnocentric term Female Circumcision is a form of violence that is approved by the societies in which it is practiced. About 183 million women have undergone such mutilation. The geographic areas of practice include North-East Africa and parts of the Middle East. Although it is illegal in Canada, it is practiced by immigrants from those areas. For the most part, men do not involve themselves in the practice, and its greatest supporters are women in the communities affected. It

The article, Female Genital Mutilation Is a Canadian Issue Too, explores how the act of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a social justice issues beyond the foreign nations it is associated with. While FGM is associated with countries in Africa and the Middle East where it is seen as the norm, we see cases in our modern and progressive nation. The article first defines FGM as girls being forced to have some or all of their external genitalia cut off and, in some cases, having their vaginal opening sown closed. This may be performed on girls anytime from infancy to puberty and can result in multiple life threatening health complications. The article goes on to explain how the act is deeply rooted in different cultures but is also experienced

In our literature review we found that FGM is a culturally rooted practice that has both human rights infractions and health complications, mostly affecting prepubescent girls. We believe this to be a violation of human rights but more specifically children’s rights, as it does not allow these young girls the opportunity to physically develop naturally, with the conditions of health, liberty, dignity and protection from all forms of cruelty (Braddy & Files, 2007). Wide ranging health concerns were found in the literature review: acute, long term, and obstetric health complications, varying degrees of complications from infections to still births and deaths (Braddy & Files, 2007). The complications of FGM are often treatable, however, all of these complications are preventable if the procedure was no longer practiced (Banks et al., 2006). Knowledge or lack thereof in relation to current scholarship we tend to flush out is whether it is ethical for western feminist to disapprove and disregard FGM as a practice and the implications that disapproval has on our understanding of FGM.

I wanted to investigate everything I possibly could for this topic to receive a greater knowledge and understanding of FGM, and why it continues to be such a strong cultural practice, and ‘rite of passage’ for women and girls. Predominantly it was my personal upbringing that triggered my interest in equality among societies, leading me to this topic.

FGM is still practiced by 28 Countries worldwide. Highlighted by the World Health Organisation “three million girls undergo some form of FGM every year in Africa alone”.

According to a Home Office Report (2014) over 60,000 young girls born in the UK to parents who are victims of FGM practice are likely to be subjected to this practice because of the cultural acceptance of Female Genital Mutilation.

This shows that if women are educated and are thus more aware of their rights, the practice of FGM is likely to decline. This implies that females who are not aware of their rights as human beings, and are suppressed, will be less likely to stand up against practices that enforce inequality. But this does not mean that these women truly support FGM and other practices that discriminate and suppress women. In order to find out whether women agree with these practices, equality of the sexes should be promoted in the form of education, so that their responses reflect their true thoughts that are not influenced by persistent discrimination.

Childhood development encompasses the cognitive, physical, social, moral and emotional changes from birth until the end of adolescence (White, Hayes & Livesey, 2013). Throughout childhood, environment and genetics promote or discourage growth and development. This essay will analyse the cognitive, physical, social, moral and emotional domains in relativity to my own development from the prenatal stage until adolescence. Psychological and environmental theories are used to develop the understanding and connection between each domain and stage of development. Lastly, this essay will address the controversial nature verses nurture debate and its relevance to my childhood development.

FGM is a practice which is rooted into the Masaai traditions and culture for decades. It is a procedure that involves partial removal of the female genital organs. It is now recognized on an international basis as a violation of the human rights of girls and women and more importantly highlights an extreme form of discrimination against women. This practice which is performed at a young age violates the individual’s security and health rights. The treatment is inhumane and often leads to torturous consequences with some often resulting in death. The WHO (2013) statistics have revealed that an estimated 100 to 140 million women, girls and children around the world have under-gone this painful procedure with disabling consequences and long term risks and another 3 million girls are at risk of mutilation each year. FGM is seen as an annual ceremony for the community who perceive it as a celebration of adolescence. Within the Maasai community 99% of women have under-gone this procedure most of which are between the age of 12- 14. The procedure is carried out with a sharp instrument known as ‘ormurunya’ after which paste and milk fat is applied to stop bleeding. Women cannot voice their opinion and those who refuse to undergo the procedure are commonly seen as having shunned their culture and therefore face a high risk of being unaccepted by the family and being isolated from the community. There are various reasons to why this procedure is practiced most