Death in the Family. 10'Yr Old Childs Perspective

1360 Words6 Pages
Death can occur at any stage within one’s lifetime. However, it is the process of being able to understand the grief and life of those who are affected, by the loss of a loved one. Coping with loss is difficult for any age, however for a ten year old who loses both parents, may be affected emotionally, behaviourally and socially developing, as opposed to the typical growth of a ten year old. There are developmental factors that are need to be known and understood, such as how the death of the parents affect the development of the child, how does the child perceive death and how will they respond. The health and growth of a typical ten year old can be hindered and/or affected through the loss of a parent. A typical ten year old child is in the concrete operational stage (Santrock, 2008), where dilemmas are one dimensional, thus unable to see the abstract and develop possible outcomes. Therefore, peer relationships, hobbies and other activities are considered high priorities, learning off one another, with rules being handed down by adults and cannot be changed (Santrock, 2008),). Within the psychosocial stage of Erik Erikson, the child is still in the stage of industry versus inferiority, where the child is still learning and accomplishing new skills and knowledge, as well as unable to be self-sufficient, relying on the guidance and support of kinfolk (Kneisl & Trigoboff, 2009). Ultimately, children at the age of ten begin to develop a better understanding of death, its permanence, irreversibility and non-functioning of the body, therefore, exaggerated attempts to protect or help their caregivers and family members are often seen (Kennedy, McIntyre, Worth & Hogg, 2008). They have the sense of responsibility to family conflicts with desire to continue social involvement (Barner & Rosenblatt, 2008). Exploring the growth and understanding of a ten year old, a
Open Document