Community (Continued)

Upon reading the question, "Would you like to live in another country?" My immediate response is yes, but when I think about it, I'm not exactly sure that I would. To visit another country, that is a definite yes; to live there for a year or less, there's a plausible possibility for me. However, anything longer than a year, truly living in another country, I don't think I would be able to do it. One factor  as to why I would not want to go anywhere else is due to the comfort, stability, and opportunity that is here. Going on a vacation to another place is enough of an adventure for me and I would not move unless it was truly, truly necessary. Along the same lines as opportunity and stability I mainly refer to career. Child Life Specialist is an up and coming career here, there is still much to be developed. In other countries, there is no idea really about what CLS is and it is not a specified career path. Career goes hand in hand with education as well, although education in other countries, particularly Asia, may prove to be reaping more benefits and successes, I still believe there to be more doors of opportunity here in the states. After all, those people who are receiving an education there seem to eventually end up here. 

My neighborhood and community compared to other neighborhoods and communities in the US seem to be fairly in the norm. There is only a small percentage of elite residential neighborhoods and communities and although there are a greater number of poor communities than wealthy, I still believe my family and I fall in the middle. Also, I believe there to be more urbanized areas vs. rural communities so that is why I think that we generally live in neighborhoods and communities similar to the majority of America. 

As compared to neighborhoods in other countries, I will compare it to the Philippines since that is what I know from visiting there every couple of years. The neighborhoods there are dirtier than our communities here. Also, there are a lot of people in a small area which is cause for congestion regardless of the day or hour. Here, we never usually have congestion in our neighborhoods, they are typically quiet and the large crowds of people are usually sitting on the highways during rush hour and not in the neighborhoods. One thing I notice there in the Philippines that I wish we were able to enjoy more here was the freedom to roam around and adventure with friends as kids. The number of children there skyrocket, they are always seen running around or playing outside and I think it is amazing and exciting that they get to receive some adventures such as that. 

I will leave my "I Understand" statements as they were last week as I have nothing to add or subtract from them. 
I understand child development varies globally.
I understand religion and culture possess a large impact on development
I understand family size and dynamics can greatly improve or cause tension in the development of children.
I understand the parenting styles each have their own pros and cons regarding child development
I understand environmental factors have an impact.
I understand the physical and non physical resources available have a place in the development of children.
I understand social status of the family impacts development.
I understand the method of education (private, public, homeschool) have their various results on development
I understand the surroundings/environment of children, even at a young age, have impacts later on in their development.
I understand the voices and words and the tone they are spoken in has impact on the child's development beginning from those voices heard even while in the womb.
I understand body language plays a large part in the family because even newborns and toddlers can pick up on these nonverbal cues and sense change.
I understand that children are not as fortunate to be able to enjoy playing outside or to enjoy and gain an education
I understand neighborhoods and relationships with those in it affect the development of children, not necessarily direct impact such as people you talk to or play with, but environment as well such as loud parties, and the consistency thereof.