Stressors in Life

• War
• Poverty
• Racism
• Natural disaster
• Isolation
• Hunger
• Noise
• Chaos
• Disease
• Environmental pollution
• Violence

The above list are all stressors that occur in life.  As a child, I did not grow up in an affluent neighborhood.  Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.  I grew up with a loving step mom and dad, and my mom was not really involved in my life.  I lived with 2 brothers and one sister.  I was the second oldest.  We had the basic necessities that every family needed.  Both my step mom and dad worked for Ford Motor Company.  Again, this was a working blue collar community.  I went to public schools in which there were four elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school.  We did not suffer from a substantially high number of violence, but it was more than I would see where I currently live in Phoenix Arizona.  However, looking back, I realize that there was more violence growing up than I realized.  There was a time that we had a lock down in my neighborhood and the SWAT team was going through the homes on my street looking for a fugitive.  Drug deals were happening in the bathrooms of my high school, and gangs were known throughout the community.  I never felt like I was in danger, but I know now that it was not the safest place for me.  My dad did not keep us there for lack of trying.  Homes were not selling and we could not afford to move.  At the time, I compensated by fitting into my community by talking like I fit in.  I used street talk to get around.  Also, my younger brother (unfortunately) was a part of the "bad" crowd, so it kept me safe.  I didn't do anything that would make anyone angry and kept to myself.  I did move myself out of the neighborhood as soon as I was able to.  

A country in which I would be interested in visiting or finding out more about is England.  I have been looking at jobs for teaching in the country and have grown fascinated by its traditions and educational system.  Like any other city, there is violence and poverty that would be stressors for any child.  I enjoyed working in Phoenix last year and am interested if other countries are similar to ours.  Even though London does not seem much different, the more I research, the more I see how different it is.  The country itself is much more beautiful than anything that I have seen in the United States ( I have been to over 30 states).   It has amazing architecture, fascinating people, and beautiful countrysides.  England has a lot to offer in regards to history and education systems.  I would love to see how the children differ from American children.