Sometimes I just have to close my eyes and shake my head at the “research” that is carried out. Honestly at times it makes me just wonder who the bright spark was who came up with the idea of the study?
So, they have just unveiled this new study which shows that children who are poverty stricken, who are surrounded by toxic environments, abuse, poor hygiene and diet suffer developmentally. WOW. I mean honestly! What a break through! You guys deserve a medal! Great thinking! As far as I am to understand it, this type of research on this subject has been known since hmmm cavemen time? The better nourished, the stronger the person. The more loved, the happier and more well adjusted. The more successful hunters back in the cavemen times even knew this. Everyone had an “order” to eat just like in the animal kingdom. The weakest of the group get the scraps as their worth to the society is lessened, therefore they don’t ever develop into anything more than they are. Sometimes, they themselves are killed out of need for the rest of the society.
So tell me oh genius ones who do these studies, what was the point here? Was it to study the neuro-development of these children to prevent disease later in life? Or is this it? You are going to leave us with this wonderful, no one ever thought of it piece of documented “evidence” and call it a day? I want to know exactly how much money was spent on this wonder? I bet it was a load.
Understanding medicine, our bodies is indeed a nobel task for those who research tirelessly. But it is hardly newsworthy when the studies are reported like this. I mean we all do understand this one pretty much down the line do we not? Is it the intricacies here that the study was trying to establish of exactly how it affects function? I read the study, and that was well… unclear.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-12-07-childrens-brains_N.htm?csp=34
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hey chick. Okay, this is all being posted in a non-judgmental way. Just a response, okay?
I want to start by saying that your response is to something published by the media (USA Today). NO MATTER WHAT, when you read anything related to science that is published in the media, take it with a grain of salt, and be careful to form an opinion based solely on the report. The media has a long history of presenting things in a distorted fashion, whether due to ignorance or convenience or what-have-you.
That being said, this article is actually augmenting the fundamental intent of the original scientific publication: to bring the REAL effects of poverty and low socioeconomic status back into the limelight. Society has a great tendency to rest contently upon the notion that inequity is a fact of life, and that the effects of poverty should thus be ignored. More importantly, in many developed countries such as the United States, there is this fundamental belief that anybody who works hard enough can level the playing field. Studies like this one demonstrate that from an early age, the effects of poverty produce cognitive impairment that can stay with a child into adulthood, minus "incredibly intensive interventions."
To slam these scientists for continuing to study a desperate situation is, in my opinion, quite unfair. It is important to recognize that the researchers attempted to take what we already know a step further - to translate poverty's ill effects into tangible biological evidence that poverty can present obstacles early on, obstacles which are not easy to overcome.
I would be more critical of society in general if it were to say, "enough is enough. We know what we want to know and we'll do what we want to do." It is indeed frustrating to think that an overwhelming body of evidence is required to convince legislators and society in general to generate a sense of empathy and urgency when it comes to helping kids in impoverished conditions. But if it takes translating poverty into biological effects to produce a response, then that is what it takes.
Post a Comment