Miguel Flores

Nov 18 2015
Professor Adler
STACC #72051
From childhood to Adulthood
In a traumatic childhood upbringing children can be impacted greatly. What a child goes
through as an infant and toddler can affect them significantly for the rest of their life. Trauma can
be caused by a parent or a family member being violent. It can also be caused by an an abusive or
alcoholic parent, or an abandoning parent. It doesnt just cause them harm as a child but it can
cause that child to have a troubled upbringing. Research from multiple studies indicate that 41%
median of co-occurrence in the United States occurs of childhood maltreatment and adult
domestic violence. In urban areas the exposure to community violence is higher and the exposure
is associated with negative outcomes for children. According to one study that looked at more
than 1,500 cases of children being abused over time or neglected as a child increases the
likelihood of arrests as a juvenile by 51%, and by an adult by 28%, and for committing a violent
crime by 30%. There is an overwhelming evidence that many of the adolescents and young
adults who first become delinquent and later develop into criminals were exposed earlier in their
lives to much violence, disorganized families, poor education, and limited opportunities says,
(Osofsky, 1997). Childhood Trauma connects to the memoir, called A place to stand by Jimmy
Santiago Baca, because of the childhood occurrences he experienced many times as a child, and
the events that lead to Bacas adulthood. He was arrested and was a juvenile delinquent. He is
part of the statistic of those children whove experienced childhood trauma and go on to getting

arrested and becoming delinquents. Existing research on the effects of childrens exposure to
violence covers a broad range of community, family, and media violence, the extent of childrens
exposure to different types of violence varies. Some children, especially those living in low
income areas, experience chronic community violence. Frequent exposure to use of guns,
knives, drugs, and random violence is the common community violence in their neighborhood. A
childs surroundings as they grow up can affect the way they think about society. They get
adjusted to thinking that, its the way life is suppose to be, so they adapt to their surroundings and
live their life thinking that society is suppose to be this way. When in reality it is not, Its the
lifestyle that they are living that is not the right one. That was the problem with Baca, his
surroundings growing up were so terrible that it really affected him later on in life. As an adult he
struggled with the memories of his childhood. The truth of the matter is that childhood trauma can
be prevented, there are many cases of children who have experienced A traumatic childhood and
dont get treated or go to therapy for it. That trauma is carried with them into their adult lives and
dont allow them to live a normal life, because they live with long term effects caused by their
trauma. When traumatizing things occur in the world, like 9/11 or the Sandy Hook shooting, it
would be right to consult with a counselor or a therapist. Children are too young to experience
such horrific events that, in some cases, most adults never even experience. It is important that the
childrens emotions, feelings, and thoughts are heard by a therapist to guide the children into
understanding that what happened, occurred and things like that are not normal and should not
happen in the type of society we are in. Communication with children and parents is one big
factor that should be accommodated. Having verbal communications with children helps them
grasp what they experienced and lets them know that what happened is not okay. Horrific Events

sometimes occur in this world, and children need to be taught that this world is not perfect, that
sometimes bad things happen.

Osofsky, J. D., & Fenichel, E. (1994). Caring for infants and toddlers in violent environments:
Hurt, healing and hope. Washington, DC: Zero to Three Press.
Osofsky, J. D. (Ed.). (1998). Children in a violent society. New York: Guilford Press.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/emotional-and-psychological-trauma.htm
http://www.asca.org.au/WHAT-WE-DO/Resources/General-Information/Abuse-related-conditions