NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Alcoholism: Children and the family Society faces problems everyday, however individuals learn to deal with these problems and solve them in the best way they can. One of societies problems that has plagued human kind for generations and still is left unsolved is the problem of alcohol abuse or Alcoholism. Alcoholism has been called the most serious drug problem in terms of number of victims and cost to society. Why people get hooked and why they betray family values has baffled scientists for years. The cost of this terrible addiction, unfortunately falls into the hands of the children in the alcoholic I chose to address the topic of alcoholism, because it is of interest to me, and because I experienced it in my childhood. This particular topic was not chosen simply because of the fact that I grew up with it, but because I want to hear what research has to offer on the topic.
I hope that I will have a better understanding of alcoholism and why my father drank so much. It hurts to write about it but I feel that I will grow from this experience. Alcoholism was a part of my life, but I really did not understand what it was all about. I knew it was an addiction and I knew it was common in society. Before writing this paper, I really knew nothing in terms of facts or data related to the topic. All that I knew was that it affected me psychologically because I felt it was in some way my fault.
I thought about it a lot and always tried to put it in the back 2 of my mind. That is probably why I knew so little about it, because I didn't want As I started my research on Alcoholism I found that there was extensive information on the topic. Using the University library I collected sources such as books, articles, magazines and most of all, articles from the internet. Organizing the information was difficult, but was found to be valuable in the end. In helping to organize I used a research notebook. So every time I found a new article I filed it in my notebook so as to keep a neat record.
During my research process much was learned on the topic, foremost that Alcoholism in the family is very dangerous, and as was stated before is a major problem in society. Not only in America, but worldwide. In the family, family members often become obsessed with the alcoholics behaviour. Family members often become depressed, angry, frustrated, confused and need treatment as does the alcoholic. This disease has created such a problem that almost every family is affected by it. According to Joel Dinnerstien, a jewish rabbi and doctor, "Alcoholism is accountable for fifty percent of all the cases brought to family Anger, frustration, these are all outcomes of the terrible addition called alcohol abuse.
Injected into the family core before family members realize, this often 3 scary addiction sends a family into confusion. Some of the greatest pressures fall on the children of alcoholics. Children usually experience their parents alcoholism while they are in their maturing stages, and most often childrens minds are affected for lifetimes. This is not hard to believe due to the fact that many children in America experience these hardships.
Dr. Ron Pitzer of University of Minnesota said, "A large portion of our population is affected, then, since an estimated 30 million American children live in alcoholic homes" (Pitzer par. 1). It is hard to escape the problem of alcoholism, prevalent in home across the country, it's presence like an entity. Children usually grow up, not understanding why their parents drink and often times put the blame on themselves.
This " not understanding" can lead to a cycle from generation to generation. When the child is in the maturing stage he / she is very sensitive to these sorts of problems The child who is in the alcoholic home usually is emotionally unstable, and has a lack of self-esteem. Also the child is aggressive and or antisocial and sometimes is a trouble maker. The child is usually labelled as a problem child. Another result of the parents alcoholism is that children of alcoholics are prone to fighting with those of the opposite sex.
All of these factors create turmoil in the family and in the child's life (Alcoholism: a childrens viewpoint par. 3). 4 Facts are facts, and the fact is that children of alcoholics are at a high risk for alcohol and other drug related problems. Tension, stress, anxiety and depression all are the results of a child living with an alcoholic parent. Children are unfortunately left with the consequences of their parents problems, but it is seen all the time, and it will only get worse if help is not found. An article on When guardians in charge of children are alcoholics, there is strong evidence that children in these families are more likely to develop the disease of alcoholism as well.
The fact is, alcoholism tends to run in families (Boucher par. 1). Children are under pressure and usually can not handle it, it is of no wonder many children of alcoholics end up alcoholics themselves. Usually these children of alcoholics grow up to marry alcoholics and create the same stressful factors they had in their childhood, passing on their alcoholic genes to their children. A student I interview was a product of two alcoholic parents. He believes the gene was passed on to him, for he also is an alcoholic and is trying to quit. He tried to explain his difficulty in fighting the gene by saying: Alcoholism has been a part of my life since I was 8 years old, I grew up with it, but I'm not ashamed.
I had a lot of problems at home and 5 when I felt down, I just started to drink. I came close to dying last year and I hate my parents for what they did to me (Andrews int. ). Sometimes this alcoholic gene skips a generation. For example, the child of an alcoholic may never drink, but then his children become alcoholics.
This skip can be prevented by having the child grow up in a peaceful environment and monitoring the child for adverse behaviour. The children with this gene often has feelings of shame, guilt or loneliness, they may also show off, or act tough. To rid these children of their problem, it is often helpful to get them involved in something about which they feel good. It can be a hobby or a sporting event, or even just spending time with the child. It is also important to not push the child, simply letting him / her to grow at their own pace (Children of Alcoholics par. 5). Society can always try and solve the worlds problems and sometimes succeed, however, to overcome the disease of alcoholism individuals will have to concern themselves with the future, and think about their children.
They are the only solution to this problem. Only through them can the addiction be erased. Whether alcoholism is a gene that runs through the family or just a hobby taken to far, something must be done. Families across America and children around the world are losing their chances to become something better. Children should concentrate on more important things than how many drinks their father had. If a solution is 6 found, children everywhere will have better lives and parents around the world will have a peace of mind where their childrens drinking habits are concerned.
Bibliography:
Free research essays on topics related to: alcohol abuse, children of alcoholics, family members, par 1, part of my life
Research essay sample on Children Of Alcoholics Part Of My Life
