$273 million dollars. That's the cost of a project which launched a satellite into space this morning to study the effect of greenhouse gas. But the payload fairing failed to separate from the rocket. So three minutes after the launch, the satellite fell into the Antarctic Ocean. There's going to be an investigation.
Back on earth and more particularly in the US, there are a growing number of child caregivers.
A 2005 nationwide study suggested that about 3 percent of households with children ages 8 to 18 included child caregivers. Experts say they expect the numbers to grow as chronically ill patients leave hospitals sooner and live longer, the recession compels patients to forgo paid help and veterans need home care.
The article states that Britain and Australia count children in these roles in their census and provide many with resources, such as "patient-care discussions" and show them how "to ask agencies for help or compensation."
In the US, experts say, it is generally a hidden issue. This is added to by the difficulties children find with talking about what's going on at school or to anyone, coupled by the embarrassment adults have with admitting - or realizing- how much they are depending on a child caregiver. Although some children can handle the role, it depends on how much they are asked to do and the child's resources and age.
Another kind of failure to launch, but one that takes its toll more quietly. There is a timely post on this subject, Unfair Burdens, over at Shakesville and the comments to it show the toll child caregiving has taken on some children who are now adults.
Related: 1 million US children are caregivers
State by state listing of caregiver resources
Children as Caregivers by LeAne Austin, RN (This article outlines not only the effect on children who are caregivers, but ways to handle the family situation openly, written by a 39 year old mother who had a stroke)
6 comments:
Wow, this makes me incredibly grateful that my husband can work from home during difficult times and postsurgery, and that I have other friends to help when he can't (I'm sure they'd set up a schedule and divide it up if someone needed from how they've supported others). Sometimes women get criticized for not returning to work when their children are in school, but they really do use a lot of that time for volunteering and helping others.
Yes, they do. The other distinction that isn't discussed here is the difference between physical and other support. For example, as a woman with a disability, I provide support to loved ones, although I can't do physical things.I can make calls, provide emotional support, find resources, etc. My guess is that many women with disabilities also do that, but may not be seen as 'caregivers'at all.
I'd like to see this topic studied with more precision:
-There's a world of difference between an 8-year-old and 18-year-old. Lumping them all together as 'children' is misleading.
-Children in any home help out with adult responsibilities. This is how they learn. Important to distinguish the kids who are doing a normal, healthy amount of helping versus those who are truly burdened beyond what is appropriate.
-Also important not to assume that if the adult is sick or disabled, the child is helping *because* of the illness. Ie my 7-year-old loves to make coffee for the parents (coffee machine), make snacks, etc. Our health has nothing to do with it. But outsiders might make a decision on whether she was a 'child-caregiver' based *their perception* of whether we "needed" her to do those jobs.
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I say all this not to minimize the real problem of children and teens who are forced to bear an unhealthy amount of responsibility for others. Rather, because we do a disservice to the kids who really need support from the wider community when we report on the problem in imprecise terms.
Great issue, deserves attention and action. Thanks for reporting.
Yes, exactly, and I do a lot of this for my kids and family members too. I do think a lot of people wonder what it is exactly that I do as a parent, if anything.
What you say is true, Jennifer, and of particular concern since parents with disabilities can be vulnerable to people misperceiving actions or making assumptions.
Jennifer- good points. There are so many examples of bad reporting in areas like this - making assumptions, not giving concrete examples to show differences, etc. The article does show some examples of situations, but this is a subject that hasn't been given enough attention. There are cultural differences that come into play as well in terms of families reaching out (or not for support).
Frida- yes, the perception of parents with disabilities is yet another problem that ties into this. I've even heard people argue that delegating physical tasks is okay for "someone who can afford it" but when a parent with a disability delegates it, they see it differently.
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