Consequences of Stress on Child Development

I was extremely worried about this assignment because I couldn't think of a single stressful event  from my childhood that would be interesting for readers. After talking with my grandmother about her childhood, I finally concluded that her story was amazing and needed to be shared with others. I present to you the life of my inspiration, Sallie Mae DeLoach.

Sallie Mae DeLoach (my grandmother) was born July 14, 1927 in the small town of Boligee, Alabama. She was the oldest of 14 children born to a poor share cropping father and mother. Her life during this time was fascinating and difficult because as a child she was faced with the stresses of poverty, racism and sometimes hunger. Sallie attended school until the 3rd grade where she was removed to help her mom with her younger siblings, assist around the house and help her father in the field. My grandmother stayed on the family farm until the age of 13 years old where she ran away to marry a much older gentleman. She claims that this was the only way to escape from her current situation. She remained married for approximately 4 years before migrating to Wisconsin, Illinois and finally Mississippi. The main issues of her childhood that she recalls include poverty, hunger and racism.

The time frame that my grandmother was born was during the Great Depression so the poverty rate and unemployment were extremely high. She was also born during a time of racial unease in the country especially in the South where people of color were not treated privy to have the same rights as Caucasians. My grandmother credits her will to survive and constant prayer as her coping mechanisms to survive during this time. Her ramifications for the surviving her stress include lack of trust for people and the economy.

I compared my grandmothers childhood stress to children in the country of Africa that are undergoing worse or similar circumstances. Children in Africa face stress during childhood that can include (but not limited to) poverty, racism (sociopolitical) and hunger. Other stress can include violence or abandonment from the family due to death, illness or other issues. Stress for children can be detrimental leaving scars that are not always visible but it can be overcome if we work together for the good of the children.