What about the children?
http://www.aframnews.com/html/interspire/articles/1333/1/What-about-the-children/Page1.html
Tuala Williams
Tuala Williams is the general manager of African-American News&Issues.By Tuala Williams
Published on 02/1/2010
February 7 has been dubbed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. As the nation draws attention to the plight of African-Americans in the battle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, perhaps the question will arise, “What about the children?”
HOUSTON—The setting is all too familiar. A dark room, a lonely night. Too much to drink, just a little something to take the edge off. Everybody wants to feel good sometime.
The need to feel desirable, wanted, maybe even loved can be a tremendous pull, drawing one into a night of unrequited passion. When the mood is right and the drive is strong, nothing else may seem to matter. Caution to the wind, satisfaction is the aim and pleasure is the game.
It was good for the moment, but what about tomorrow? What about the condom? And what about the children?
There is an ancient saying, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” A more modern proverb is that the children will pay for the sins of the fathers. Every day decisions are made by adults for which their children will spend the rest of their lives paying. One moment of pleasure for an adult, can mean a lifetime of tragedy and pain for a child.
Many Blacks know the drill. Even though African-Americans only make up 13 percent of the population, Blacks account for 49 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases. And most who get the disease don’t live as long as people from other races who develop HIV/AIDS. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, it is the leading cause of death for African-Americans and other Blacks.
When the numbers are broken down, readers see that Black men account for 41 percent of all men living with HIV/AIDS in America, but Black women account for 64 percent of all women living with the disease. The numbers are worse for children.
In 2007, it was estimated that 3,792 children were living with HIV/AIDS in America. The CDC reports Black children account for 66 percent of all children under the age of 13, which were reported from 33 states as having HIV/AIDS.
Typically, children under the age of 13 are infected by their mothers during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. According to Child Trends DataBank, “Children with HIV and AIDS can suffer from many health problems related to their illness. Twenty percent of children diagnosed with HIV develop AIDS and die within four years. The other 80 percent have a slower progression, not developing symptoms of AIDS until they are school age or older. Children with HIV/AIDS often develop neurological problems such as trouble learning to walk, difficulty in school, and seizures. Additionally, they are sick more often and more severely than are other children.”
Many more children are impacted by the illness or death of one or both parents with HIV/AIDS. In fact, it was estimated by the American Academy of Pediatrics that, by the end of the past century, 80,000 youth were orphaned because of the disease.
According to Pediatrics, the official journal for the American Academy of Pediatrics, mothers with HIV/AIDS are often single and left to raise their children alone. The journal reports that when the mother used injection drugs or lived alone, in a shelter, or with friends, almost one-quarter of all children were cared for by their grandparents. Less than one-third of them are aware of childcare assistance centers that are able to help them and only 8 percent actually contact or use those services. The journal concluded, “Increased provisions for child care assistance and planning for future permanent placement of orphaned children are needed.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics states it is often difficult for parents to deal with their own death and the planning for the continued care of their children. The Academy states that concerns include fear of stigmatization and isolation once they reveal their diagnosis; loss of custodial or parental rights; becoming a burden and difficulty accepting their own mortality.
Options are available which offer parents the freedom to decide the destiny of their own children, including the appointment of a legal guardian by a judge. Parents are usually able to designate their child’s guardian before they become incapacitated. This is important if the parent wishes to avoid custody issues, once the parent becomes too ill to care for their child. However, in the absence of a suitable candidate, the parent can ask the judge to appoint one for them. When such a decision is not made in time, children are often placed in foster care.
According to the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, “The estimated lifetime risk of becoming infected with HIV is 1 in 16 for Black males, and 1 in 30 for Black females, a far higher risk than for White males (1 in 104) and White females (1 in 588).”
According to the CDC, unprotected sex with a man is the leading cause of HIV infection in African-Americans. Among African-American males living with AIDS, 46 percent were infected through male-to-male sexual contact. Three-quarters of African-American women living with HIV were infected heterosexually. And of Black men living with HIV, 20 percent were infected through heterosexual contact.
Injecting drug use is the second highest cause for the spread of HIV/AIDS, accounting for roughly 27 percent of all African-Americans living with the disease. According to a study by School of Allied Health Professions, Northern IL University, African-American injecting drug users have a high risk of acquiring HIV and for not surviving long after an AIDS diagnosis. This is because of the tendency to share needles.
Despite the numbers, many continue to indulge in risk taking behavior, believing that they will be the one to beat the odds. And many do, but it is a game not unlike Russian roulette.
“AIDS has been allowed to stalk and murder Black America like a serial killer because we have been a compliant victim, submitting through inaction. It is now time for us to fight AIDS like the major civil rights issue it is,” said Reverend Jesse Jackson, who in recent years became the father of a child born out of wedlock. Although Jackson is now championing the fight against AIDS, it appears he failed to do what was perhaps the easiest method available to stop the spread of the disease, use a condom.
Much attention is given to battling HIV/AIDS and improving the quality of life among populations perpetuating the spread of this preventable disease. The use of a good condom, clean needles and discretion can stop this killer in its tracks. When such life preserving options are not used, children are often the unintended victims, paying the price for the choices of adults.
February 7 has been dubbed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. As the nation draws attention to the plight of African-Americans in the battle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, perhaps the question will arise, “What about the children?”
February 7 has been dubbed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. As the nation draws attention to the plight of African-Americans in the battle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, perhaps the question will arise, “What about the children?”
When being born is a death sentence
HOUSTON—The setting is all too familiar. A dark room, a lonely night. Too much to drink, just a little something to take the edge off. Everybody wants to feel good sometime.
The need to feel desirable, wanted, maybe even loved can be a tremendous pull, drawing one into a night of unrequited passion. When the mood is right and the drive is strong, nothing else may seem to matter. Caution to the wind, satisfaction is the aim and pleasure is the game.
It was good for the moment, but what about tomorrow? What about the condom? And what about the children?
There is an ancient saying, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” A more modern proverb is that the children will pay for the sins of the fathers. Every day decisions are made by adults for which their children will spend the rest of their lives paying. One moment of pleasure for an adult, can mean a lifetime of tragedy and pain for a child.
Many Blacks know the drill. Even though African-Americans only make up 13 percent of the population, Blacks account for 49 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases. And most who get the disease don’t live as long as people from other races who develop HIV/AIDS. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, it is the leading cause of death for African-Americans and other Blacks.
When the numbers are broken down, readers see that Black men account for 41 percent of all men living with HIV/AIDS in America, but Black women account for 64 percent of all women living with the disease. The numbers are worse for children.
In 2007, it was estimated that 3,792 children were living with HIV/AIDS in America. The CDC reports Black children account for 66 percent of all children under the age of 13, which were reported from 33 states as having HIV/AIDS.
Typically, children under the age of 13 are infected by their mothers during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. According to Child Trends DataBank, “Children with HIV and AIDS can suffer from many health problems related to their illness. Twenty percent of children diagnosed with HIV develop AIDS and die within four years. The other 80 percent have a slower progression, not developing symptoms of AIDS until they are school age or older. Children with HIV/AIDS often develop neurological problems such as trouble learning to walk, difficulty in school, and seizures. Additionally, they are sick more often and more severely than are other children.”
Many more children are impacted by the illness or death of one or both parents with HIV/AIDS. In fact, it was estimated by the American Academy of Pediatrics that, by the end of the past century, 80,000 youth were orphaned because of the disease.
According to Pediatrics, the official journal for the American Academy of Pediatrics, mothers with HIV/AIDS are often single and left to raise their children alone. The journal reports that when the mother used injection drugs or lived alone, in a shelter, or with friends, almost one-quarter of all children were cared for by their grandparents. Less than one-third of them are aware of childcare assistance centers that are able to help them and only 8 percent actually contact or use those services. The journal concluded, “Increased provisions for child care assistance and planning for future permanent placement of orphaned children are needed.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics states it is often difficult for parents to deal with their own death and the planning for the continued care of their children. The Academy states that concerns include fear of stigmatization and isolation once they reveal their diagnosis; loss of custodial or parental rights; becoming a burden and difficulty accepting their own mortality.
Options are available which offer parents the freedom to decide the destiny of their own children, including the appointment of a legal guardian by a judge. Parents are usually able to designate their child’s guardian before they become incapacitated. This is important if the parent wishes to avoid custody issues, once the parent becomes too ill to care for their child. However, in the absence of a suitable candidate, the parent can ask the judge to appoint one for them. When such a decision is not made in time, children are often placed in foster care.
According to the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, “The estimated lifetime risk of becoming infected with HIV is 1 in 16 for Black males, and 1 in 30 for Black females, a far higher risk than for White males (1 in 104) and White females (1 in 588).”
According to the CDC, unprotected sex with a man is the leading cause of HIV infection in African-Americans. Among African-American males living with AIDS, 46 percent were infected through male-to-male sexual contact. Three-quarters of African-American women living with HIV were infected heterosexually. And of Black men living with HIV, 20 percent were infected through heterosexual contact.
Injecting drug use is the second highest cause for the spread of HIV/AIDS, accounting for roughly 27 percent of all African-Americans living with the disease. According to a study by School of Allied Health Professions, Northern IL University, African-American injecting drug users have a high risk of acquiring HIV and for not surviving long after an AIDS diagnosis. This is because of the tendency to share needles.
Despite the numbers, many continue to indulge in risk taking behavior, believing that they will be the one to beat the odds. And many do, but it is a game not unlike Russian roulette.
“AIDS has been allowed to stalk and murder Black America like a serial killer because we have been a compliant victim, submitting through inaction. It is now time for us to fight AIDS like the major civil rights issue it is,” said Reverend Jesse Jackson, who in recent years became the father of a child born out of wedlock. Although Jackson is now championing the fight against AIDS, it appears he failed to do what was perhaps the easiest method available to stop the spread of the disease, use a condom.
Much attention is given to battling HIV/AIDS and improving the quality of life among populations perpetuating the spread of this preventable disease. The use of a good condom, clean needles and discretion can stop this killer in its tracks. When such life preserving options are not used, children are often the unintended victims, paying the price for the choices of adults.
February 7 has been dubbed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. As the nation draws attention to the plight of African-Americans in the battle to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, perhaps the question will arise, “What about the children?”