Drug and Alcohol Families

It is terrible to see what drug and alcohol use by parents can do to their families.  Drugs take such a strong hold on their users and it is very hard to break free from this.  Children are taken away from their parents and put into foster homes because of their parents' addictions.  This is very sad, but it is usually much sadder to see the living conditions some of these children had been exposed to.  Many times drug users leave drugs, trash, and other harmful things around the house that could harm their children.  Parents who are on drugs are not in the right state of mind to be raising children.  Not only are the children in physical danger just being in their home environment, they are also more likely to be abused and neglected by their drug abusing parents.  Living in such a traumatic environment also takes an emotional toll on the child.  These children are more likely to be depressed, emotionally detached, and may eventually start using drugs as well to try to cover up these emotions.  I think it really shows how powerful drugs are that they are able to break apart such a strong bond that families have.  Being a teacher, I think it would be very hard to deal with a situation in which a parent was using drugs.  No one ever wants to break up a family, but we have to do what is best for the children and their physical and mental well-being.

Poverty In America

Poverty and homelessness has a huge impact on children in America.  It leads to both physical and emotional problems.  Children who are in poverty or who are homeless do not get the support and safety that so many people take for granted.  They have to learn to in a sense raise themselves because they either don't have parents or their parents aren't around.  Whether parents are out trying to make money to get out of their current living situation or are sick, children have to learn to survive on their own.  Many times this can cause children to become depressed, at times even suicidal.  Children do not receive the education that they should many times, and are surrounded by things that many people never see in their lives.  They are more likely to become involved with drug use.  Not only do homeless children and children in poverty have to deal with the emotional aspect of their living situation, they also must handle the physical strain put on them.  These children are hungry.  Even if they receive enough food to not starve, they very rarely get the proper nutrition that they need.

As a teacher, I will try to address this problem to the best of my ability.  If I notice that a child may be in a difficult living situation, I will do my best to figure out the situation and handle it as necessary.  I will make sure that the student is treated the same as all of the other children and that they are getting enough to eat while at school.  I will be patient with the student, understanding that they may not be receiving extra help from their parents outside of school, or that they may not be getting enough sleep or not have time or resources to do their homework.  I will do whatever is in my power to make the child's learning experience the same quality as every other child's.  Children may not feel safe at home, but I will make sure they feel safe while at school in my classroom and will always be available to talk to them.