influences of genetic, environment and socio economic factors on the development of the individual
Lifespan Development
Assignment describing the influences of genetic, environment and socio economic factors on the development of the individual.
There are lots of factors that can influence development, for good and bad.
The environment around us can affect our development. So can socio economic factors. Genetic factors can influence development also.
I will be exploring these in my essay.
Each individual will be affected differently by influences on development. Some will be affected more, some will be affected less.
Genetics
Down's Syndrome
Down's syndrome affects one in 1,000 babies born.
Down's syndrome occurs when there is one extra chromosome present in the gene makeup.
Down's syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder, and one of the most common causes of learning difficulties.
Some are more severely affected than others.
It is not known why Down's syndrome happens.
Women born with Down's syndrome will generally have a shorter lifespan then men. (This is the opposite to people not born with Down's syndrome)
There is no cure for Down's syndrome but a range of support and treatment is available to improve the quality of their life.
With treatment and support the average lifespan of someone with Down's syndrome is about sixty years.
Physically, babies will look slightly different to other babies - e.g. Their eyes may slant upwards and outwards, and the back of their head may be unusually flat (Called brachycephaly)
There may also be yellow or white speckling around the rim of the iris, these are (Called Brushfield spots).
Babies born with Down's syndrome usually weigh less than average at birth and are usually sorter as adults.
Also around 40% of babies with Down's syndrome will have a form of congenital heart defect. Surgery can correct this.
Intellectually - people with Down's syndrome have the same abilities to learn as others, just slightly slower.
Most children with Down's syndrome learn to talk, walk and write.
Children with Down's syndrome will not start to use language until their third year, and may use some sign language before talking.
Parents/carers have to watch for health problems with children with Down's syndrome. Especially because their immune systems makes them prone to infections, particularly in the chest and sinus'.
Young people with Down's syndrome have regular physical examinations (annually - or more if needed) including developmental issues, such as physical growth and sexual maturation.
There are higher medical concerns with people with Down's syndrome during health education discussions - the physician should emphasise a health lifestyle for them. E.g. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol, self care, adequate sleep, well balanced - low calorie but nutritious diet, regular dental care, adequate physical activity and generally favourable living and working environment with unnecessary stress.
Adolescents with Down's syndrome will be taught sexual education, carried out in home or at school. Not only the physical side, but relationships, feelings and desires.
They will also be taught socially acceptable, and unacceptable behaviours regarding sexual education.
In order to prevent obesity in Down's syndrome, they need to have a low calorie intake. They also need physical exercise, such as a walk in the park (regularly). Which helps burn calories, to keep a young person with Down's syndrome in shape and to prevent sedentary lifestyle?
Most people will benefit from specialised education (although some may thrive in mainstream schools), occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy and a dietician.
Children with Down's syndrome should have regular sight and hearing tests. This is because they are more likely to be long sighted (hypermetropia) or short sighted (mytopia) and get glue ear, which can result in loss of hearing.
Children should also have all the regular immunisations, the same as other children - they may also be offered a flu jab.
If children with Down's syndrome are encouraged to do things for themselves and they receive appropriate education, therapy and social support - the majority of them can lead fulfilling and productive lives. They can live independently and have personal relationships.
When someone is pregnant and they have been informed it is highly likely their baby will be born with Down's syndrome. It is strongly advised for them to have counselling, and to discuss the results with a doctor, nurse, midwife or partner. This is because the decision to continue with the pregnancy is a very difficult one, because of the amount of support the child will need.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited disorder in the UK. It affects one in every 2,500 babies.
The average lifespan of someone with cystic fibrosis is thirty one years. Before 1930, the average lifespan was only a few months.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease. Symptoms can include; poor weight gain, abnormal stools, salty sweat, repeated chest infections and troublesome cough.
If Cystic fibrosis is suspected, a sweat test will be carried out to look for abnormally high levels of salt in the body's sweat. DNA tests of the gene defect. And an x-ray of the lungs.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease, it affects organs in the body, in particular the lungs and pancreas. It affects them with a thick sticky mucus.
A child that inherits Cystic fibrosis has two faulty genes, one from each parent. Scientists have found that the 'faulty' gene (found on chromosome 7) makes a protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator - which is responsible for the transport of water and salt into and out of the cells that line both the digestive system and lungs. But it usually gives out too much salt, and too little water, which is what creates the sticky mucus.
It is very common for people with Cystic fibrosis to have problems with their lungs. Medication and physiotherapy can help to stop lung disease and infection.
Where Cystic fibrosis affects the pancreas, it becomes difficult for people to digest food. If food cannot be digested properly this could lead to malnutrition. If this happens they may not grow properly, experience physical weakness and their puberty may be delayed. There is medication to stop this happening.
People with Cystic fibrosis have a possibility of getting diabetes mellitus, because of the lack of insulin production due to an increasing pancreas disease. This mainly happens to older people.
People with Cystic fibrosis are prone to osteoporosis, especially in adults because of the steroids they take ...
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Where Cystic fibrosis affects the pancreas, it becomes difficult for people to digest food. If food cannot be digested properly this could lead to malnutrition. If this happens they may not grow properly, experience physical weakness and their puberty may be delayed. There is medication to stop this happening.
People with Cystic fibrosis have a possibility of getting diabetes mellitus, because of the lack of insulin production due to an increasing pancreas disease. This mainly happens to older people.
People with Cystic fibrosis are prone to osteoporosis, especially in adults because of the steroids they take to control lung disease.
Cystic fibrosis may also cause problems with fertility. In most men the tubes that carry sperm are blocked. Because of the problems of malnutrition, underweight women may have irregular menstrual cycles - but they do produce healthy fertile eggs.
People may also experience liver problems, because of blockage of the small ducts. A liver transplant may be necessary. But this only happens to approximately 8% of people with Cystic fibrosis.
Exercise is important for people with Cystic fibrosis, as it helps prevent deterioration of the lungs and develops muscle strength. Posture and chest mobility is also important.
Sickle Cell Anaemia
People with Sickle cell anaemia have sickle haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is a special protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen around the bloodstream. In Sickle cell disease the haemoglobin is abnormal and this causes a change in the shape of the red blood cells.
Continuous oxygen supply is essential for life. Oxygen is carried from the lungs to all parts of the body by the blood.
When sickle haemoglobin gives up oxygen to the tissues, it sticks together forming long rods inside the red blood cells making the cells rigid and sickle shaped. 'Normal' red blood cells bend and flex easily - and are a round shape, like donuts.
Sickle cells get stuck in small blood vessels, stopping oxygen getting to all the organs. This can lead to damage to organs, and severe pain.
Sickle cell anaemia usually shows itself in infants with anaemia or jaundice. They commonly show 'hand and foot syndrome' - which is painful swelling of toes and fingers.
Also there is commonly enlargement of the spleen - which can be felt under the ribs on the left side.
This happens because the spleen becomes packed with broken-down red blood cells.
In some cases the bone above the eyebrows becomes more prominent ('bossing') this is due to the bone marrow there expanding to keep up with the need for more red blood cells.
Everyone has two copies of the gene for haemoglobin - one from each parent. If one of these genes carries the instruction to make sickle haemoglobin, and the other does not. The person has sickle cell trait. So they have to be careful doing things where there is less oxygen. E.g. Scuba diving, mountain climbing, ballooning.
If both copies of the genes carry the instruction to make sickle haemoglobin, the person has Sickle cell anaemia.
Over time the sickle cell sufferers can experience damage to organs such as kidney, heart, liver and spleen. These can lead to death.
Sickle cell red blood cells do not live as long as normal ones (120 days) which causes a chronic state of anaemia.
A person with Sickle cell anaemia can attend school, college or work. Although they need regular medical attention, particularly before and after dental extraction, operations and during pregnancy.
The different types of Sickle cell disorders mainly came from people who originate from Africa, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia (Not south-east Asia)
There is a special blood test - haemoglobin electrophoresis - that can determine whether you have a Sickle cell disorder or you are a healthy carrier.
Sickle cell disease features episodes called 'sickling crises'. Main symptoms of this are gradually worsening pain in bones and joints, severe pain in abdomen, fever, stabbing chest pain on breathing, painful erections in men and blood in urine from damaged kidneys.
Sickle cell disease shows itself mainly through these 'Sickling crises' - these occur when the shape change has happened (in the blood).
It is very important to get medical attention immediately when symptoms of a 'Sickling Crises' occur.
No treatment is needed between crises. A crisis is treated early with infused fluids, oxygen, antibiotics and painkillers.
It is also now possible to test an unborn baby, to determine if they have a haemoglobin disorder. This can be done from early as eleven weeks into pregnancy.
Environmental
Pollution
Pollution in the air effects development, it could even lead to cancer (although this is uncertain) it is the asbestos present in the air that could lead to cancer. Cancer could also be caused by radiation. Although these causes for cancer are varied and not fully understood. If an individual gets cancer, it can make them very ill, experience a lot of pain and shorten their lifespan.
It is questioned whether pollution affects the growth of lung function between the ages of ten and eighteen.
It is also questioned whether asthma is the most common chronic disease in childhood and the total has increased has risen in industrialised countries. Many factors have been implicated this increase, including air pollution.
Facilities
Some people across the lifespan do not have access to leisure facilities. Either because of low income or where they are situated. This could affect them because if people don't have access to a gym, they are more likely to become obese. If people become overweight it puts strain on their heart, and could lead to heart problems including a heart attack.
Some people might benefit from access to a gym, because emotionally they want to keep fit - and they strive for this to reach their potential. So without this they could become depressed and feel unfulfilled.
Some people have access to nurseries and playgroups, whereas others do not. This is also dependant on where they live and on their financial situation - because some nurseries and playgroups charge for the service, this is generally if they are not funded by the government (ofsted) - even so, there would be a waiting list.
If a child didn't go to nursery or playgroup, it could affect them when they go to school, because they might find it very difficult as they have never been around a lot of children of their own age.
Also the parent will be able to continue going to work if the child is in a nursery or playgroup. If this cannot happen, the parent will have to give up their job, and probably go on benefits. Then they would not be able to afford luxuries. They would have to survive on the bare minimum.
Not having access to counselling or group therapy services could affect a person. People may not have access if these services were not available in their area, or they had to pay for them. Generally you don't have to pay for these services if you are under twenty-five.
If people could not access these services and they felt they needed to talk to someone, they might become quite unhappy, or have to rely on medication to help them, when maybe counselling would have been better for them.
Family planning clinics are also good to have access to. If someone wasn't situated in an area able to have access to one of these, they might get pregnant/get someone pregnant at a young age and not be able to bring the child up properly. They may practice unsafe sexual intercourse, and be at risk to STIs and HIV/AIDS.
Socio Economic
There is a drug called anabolic steroids, which is considered dangerous in Britain. But in third world countries is promoted and recommended for children to help them grow. Possible side effects from this drug are: For adolescents - growth halted prematurely. For women - growth in facial hair, changes in menstrual cycle. For men - shrinking of the testicles, infertility.
In addition to these side effects, people injecting steroids run the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, which causes severe damage to the liver.
Income
Development differs in different countries. A lot to do with the counties status.
Some countries are in poverty - which could lead to undernourishment. The term undernourishment means a person is not eating enough, or not eating a balanced diet.
Poverty is the main cause for undernourishment. This is because people in these situations are too poor to buy food, or to buy land to grow food.
Other factors that can cause undernourishment would be if there was a war or an extreme change in climate. This could cause drastic food shortages or starvation. Another thing that could lead to undernourishment is if there is a shortage of certain types of foods - this could lead to deficiency diseases.
How much money a person earns seems to determine their place in society. People who don't have much money may live on council estates, sometimes receive benefits, and cannot buy anything new or go on holiday.
If people cannot spend on themselves, it can bring them down and make them depressed. Especially looking at all the things they want to buy, and seeing people that can buy them.
If people cannot go on holiday, they may become stressed out, and not be able to have a proper break. In extreme circumstances this could lead to a mental breakdown.
When people do have a lot of money, they generally own big properties. They can afford new things and to go on holiday. They can afford expensive entertainment - such as the theatre and nice restaurants.
It may be difficult for people with little money, especially in children and adolescents, because due to peer pressure, the other peers might not think they're 'cool' because they're not wearing trendy clothes.
Also people with little money wouldn't be able to afford things others may take for granted. Such as buying food out, or going to the cinema or going to the gym/swimming pool. If people do not have access to the gym, they may become obese.
Also people with low income wouldn't be able to spend a lot of money on food. Unfortunately food that's better for your health ('low fat', organic) is more expensive. So people may eat the wrong types of food, and their body may experience malnutrition or obesity.
People who cannot afford nice things may feel bored or jealous - as if they not as good as other people or as if they don't deserve nice things.
People with low income can not afford private health care, whereas people with high income could. Meaning they will get seen quicker - and do not have to go on a waiting list and the facilities are much nicer.
Employment status
People's employment status probably determines quite a lot of lifestyles.
For example if you are in a very good job, you may socialise with your friends at expensive restaurants or at the theatre, and drink fine wines at home.
People with a lower employment status, would probably socialise with their friends in a public house - drinking beer, at the cinema or in a fast food restaurant - McDonalds.
People may also feel judged by their employment status. If for example they are a cleaner or a dustbin collector. They may feel looked down on to say what they do for a living.
People who have a higher employment status and have higher income, could be under a lot of stress. They could be in charge of a lot of people or a business. Because of the pressure they are under, they could become very stressed. If someone was to become too stressed they are at risk of serious health problems
- a study showed that short periods of psychological stress can cause the body to take longer to clear heart-damaging fats from the bloodstream. Another study showed that footballers under a lot of stress are more likely to get injured. Some main conditions people could get through stress are: cancer, diabetes, depression, obesity, anorexia nervosa, substance abuse, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss etc.
For people that are stressed they could go to their doctor, who may put them on medication to help them short-term, or refer them to therapy.
Housing
Depending on financial status, different people will live in different housing. Housing in nice areas costs more. Large houses also cost more. If people have a lot of money they will most likely have a big house in a nice area.
But if someone does not have a lot of money they might have houses in not so nice areas - where there is high crime.
Large families might have to share their bedrooms, because they cannot afford a house/flat with a room each. They also might be a lot of people living in one space. So the house might get cramped where people don't get a lot of privacy. Which is likely to be frustrating.
When people retire, they may move into a care home. The type of care home they move into depends on how much money and previous planning they have made.
Some older people will have nicer care homes than others.
Diet
Everyone has the choice what to eat, except when they're children and they eat what's put in front of them.
People who are not properly informed about what they should eat for a balanced diet (or they don't care about themselves enough) might just eat the things that taste nice. Or (if they have the money) only eat takeaways. This could lead to them becoming obese, and putting strain on their heart.
If an individual was to consume 'bad food', not exercise enough, live a stressful and fast lifestyle - these could all lead to heart disease. This is due to a post-industrialisation lifestyle.
Some people, in poorer countries, may not have access to all foods. So they may experience malnutrition. Also if they cannot access water, or they can only access dirty water - they may become ill, and their lifespan shortened.
If there was a war there may be food rationing, which could lead to poor diet, which could lead further to malnutrition.
Peer Pressure
We are strongly influenced by our contact with other people.
Pressure to conform from others around you, particularly in adolescents. If they don't dress the same they might be discriminated against, possibly bullied.
There is usually an 'in' crowd in a school, and others around this group will be seen as not as good. These people may get physically or verbally bullied. When someone is bullied they might receive physical bruises/cuts. They may be frightened to go to school - which would affect their education. They might think something is wrong with them, and start hating themselves for being the way they are. If they start to hate themselves this could lead to psychological problems, such as depression.
People want to be like their friends around them to fit in.
If people around drink alcohol or smoke tobacco, they may do so as well to be accepted. But there are many negative effects of doing this:
If an individual was to drink a lot of alcohol it could lead to liver failure. Many people gain weight if they drink too much. Alcohol strips the stomach of its lining causing gastric conditions, diarrhoea and ulcers. Also continual drinking gradually reduces the size of the brain, resulting in the intellect deteriorating. People who are dependant on alcohol may experience delirium tremens (DTs) - which is when they need a drink and often has the effect of violent trembling, hallucinations and inability to speak coherently.
As alcohol is a depressant and not a stimulant it can have a social effect. It either makes people lively or depressed. It can also make people violent.
There are units to measure the amount of alcohol you should drink, to try and stay healthy whilst drinking. The daily allowance is 2-3 units for female, and 3-4 units for male.
Also if an individual was to smoke too much tobacco this could lead to lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis and breathing difficulties.
People, in particular adolescents (but can vary over most of the lifespan) - may experience drugs. This could be because they are unhappy, or because they are following their peers. Drugs can have a lot of negative effects:
There are two categories of drugs - Prescription and non prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are to improve the quality of people's lives. But non-prescription drugs or 'illegal' drugs - can be very dangerous, people can become dependant on these drugs. They can become physically dependant, where the body gets used to the presence of the drug and starts to need it to function, and after a while the body needs a higher dose to achieve the same effect - the person needs to keep taking the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can range from physical pain to mental anguish.
There is psychological dependence on 'illegal' drugs. This occurs where the person needs to keep taking the drug to cope with life.
'Illegal' drugs are very easy to get hold of, even though they are illegal. Anyone who wants them, would most likely be able to get them. If someone does become addicted, they can experience: mood changes, loss of appetite, behaving irrationally and becoming disinterested in what's happening to them and what is happening around them.
So if an individual was to end up taking 'illegal' drugs this could severely affect them, and they most probably will not be able to function in society.
The effects of the drugs and the 'come down' include: hangover, poor sleep, hallucinations, loss of appetite and co-ordination, confusion etc.
The health risks involved with 'illegal' drugs include: Heart-failure, weight loss, depression, lung cancer, HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, bronchitis, dependency and death.
Reasons people could turn to these drugs could be because they try them occasionally and it ends up being an addiction. Or it could be because they are unhappy, either situational or chemicals in their brain - which would lead towards them taking drugs to feel different.
Peer pressure could create the feelings toward needing to conform. In relation to 'illegal' drugs - adolescents may inhale solvents. This could be dangerous to their bodies. Solvents are not illegal, they can be purchased anywhere, and carried around at no risk.
Solvents could be dangerous if sprayed directly into the mouth, as it could result in suffocation. Solvents could cause poison, e.g. lead from petrol. The combination of fatigue and nausea could cause people to vomit whilst sleeping and choke. Using plastic bags whilst inhaling could cause suffocation. The heart could be affected - resulting in heart attack. There could be possible damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys and bone marrow (uncommon). More vulnerable people may experience more harmful effects and could die from their first experience. Also just generally, whilst people are intoxicated they might behave irresponsibly.
Adolescents are likely to practice unsafe sexual intercourse. This could be due to peer pressure, or just general confusion through the changes that occur at this time.
The dangers through unsafe sexual practice include sexual transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS and pregnancy (When not ready at a young age)
There are at least twenty five different types of sexual transmitted infections. The most common are gonorrhoea, genital warts, thrush, herpes, pubic lice and hepatitis B. These affect both men and women at all ages.
HIV/AIDS could lead to death.
Pregnancy when the parents are not mature enough could lead to the child not developing to its full potential.
Media
The media generally influences everyone. Older people are more nervous of young people because of the way they are portrayed in the media.
In this day and age being thin seems to mean to be beautiful. The media makes people think how they should be. Which is not necessarily good.
Younger people may look at how people look on the television and in magazines, and want to be like them. This may result in people getting an eating disorder, because a lot of fashion models are thin.
If someone gets an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa, bulimia) they will lose a lot of weight, and can become seriously ill. Puberty can also be delayed, in extreme circumstances resulting in infertility.
Culture
Different people live very different lives and mix with communities that have very different beliefs.
What culture people are brought up into will have a huge influence on how they are.
What religion people are brought up into, may mean they do not eat meat, or they fast (don't eat for a certain amount of time) or it could mean they are told their religion is a fact by their families.
If people don't eat meat they could experience malnutrition. Fasting for some people's bodies could be bad for them. Being told God as a fact of life could be bad because, if they reject their religion, they risk being rejected by their family - which is very narrow minded but some people are very fundamental about their religion.
In an extreme situation. Around one hundred years ago and before, in China - all girls had their feet bound, from a very young age. This stopped their feet growing properly.
This was because they thought women should have small feet as it was considered beautiful. Also it was so they could not run away from their husbands. Some women's feet became so mutated and painful, they could hardly walk.
He only reason they stopped binding women's feet was because they could not work. As a result the economy would collapse. So they had to stop, so women could work again and pay their taxes.
Another thing about culture, is prejudices people have about you. Maybe even discrimination. Because you look different to them (e.g. colour of skin) or you believe something different to them (e.g. religion)
Gender discrimination
In the past men were seen as better than women - this is an example of gender discrimination.
You could be discriminated against because of your gender. This could be because you're a male, and you're particularly camp, or spend all your time with females. There is a stereotype of how males should be, they could be discriminated against for acting how typically a female should act. Same goes for a female acting how a male should typically act.
Another way people get discriminated against is in work - men sometimes get paid more then women - even though they do the same job.
Also in-direct discrimination, a person might not be able to get a job because the interviewer would prefer a member of the opposite sex for the position.
Prejudices about roles. For example - Toys given to children (guns for boys, dolls for girls)
Another example is how much alcohol men and women can drink - it is said that men can drink more.
Also women bear children - so they will be out of work for some time. They might not be able to go back to the same job.
There is also the stereotypical roles of women - working in the kitchen, in the home and mothering. Whereas for men that they go out to work.
Education
How educated people get, what grades they get, and how high up in education they go can determine how far up society (work wise) they can go.
If a person is very well educated then they can get a well paid job. If someone has never managed to get any education (where they lived or they had a teenage pregnancy etc.) they may not be able to get a job at all. If they do it would probably be minimum wage.
Although, there are lots of opportunities now for people to get back into education, if they missed the opportunity when they were young. They also don't have to pay if they are on benefits, or receiving low income. Any age can go into education. There are also lots of opportunities for people with learning difficulties. These opportunities boost peoples self esteem.
Michelle Holmes 9500114066
