2. Developmental Challenges Faced During
Middle Childhood and Early Adulthood
Among Syrian Refugees
By: Sonya Fiebig, Kimiknu Mentore, Isy Tavarez, Jessica Weber
3. Objectives
• Brief introduction to the current Syrian refugee situation
• Discuss normal developmental milestones of middle childhood
−
Theories of development
• Define Middle Childhood related to Syrian Refugees
•
Implications of Refugee Status Related to Development
•
Promotion of Resilience
• Discuss normal developmental milestones of early adulthood
−
Theories of Development
• Define Early Adulthood related to Syrian Refugees
•
Implications of Refugee Status Related to Development
•
Promotion of Resilience
9. REFUGEES of the Syrian CONFLICT
• 5,000 people flee Syria daily
• 2,034,544 refugees registered with the UNHCR and
expected to increase
Lebanon- 716,000 Iraq- 195,388
Jordan- 515,000
Egypt- 110,000
Turkey- 460,000
N. Africa – 14,959
• Over 50% of refugees are children under the age of
17
10. Demographics of
Syrian Refugees
Male
Percentage of Refugee
0-4
9.4
5-11
10.1
12-17
6.9
18-59
The majority of the
refugees are in the
middle childhood and
early adulthood stage
of development
Years of Age
22.1
60+
1.3
Female
Years of Age
Percentage of Refugee
0-4
9.1
5-11
9.6
12-17
6.3
18-59
23.6
60+
1.6
12. Erikson
• ages 5-12
• Dealing with competency
• Industry vs. Inferiority
• Responsibility
• seeking out tasks they can excel in
• Building self-confidence
• Forming peer relationships
13. Piaget
• Concrete Operational Stage
• Children begin to think more like adults
• Distinction between their own thoughts and the thoughts of others
• Able to classify objects
• Understand conservation and reversibility
• Become less egocentric
14. Implications for a refugee
• LACK OF education opportunities
• Strained peer relationships
• Adult examples are not prime modeling
• LACK OF structured activities, seeking food, shelter play
15.
16.
17.
18. Promoting Resilience
• Providing children with a central location for education
• Encouraging new skills development
• Safe place to interact with peers
21. Developmental Milestones of Early
Adulthood
• During this stage young adults:
• Choose a career
• Begin to develop expertise in their field
• Gain creativity
• Feel control over life events
• Strive to commit to a permanent partner
• Start a family
• Develop gratifying adult friendships
22. Erikson
• Dealing with competency
• intimacy vs. isolation
• Asking themselves: How to balance independence while
fostering bonds in relationships?
25. The men
•
•
•
•
•
•
Increased risk of violence/execution
Lack of socialization
Halt to education
Lack of career development
Lack of control over life events
Lack of independence
26.
27.
28. The Women
Women in the early adulthood phase of
development
•
•
•
Increased risk of physical violence including
rape
Separation from male support
Sole care provider for upbringing of the
children and grandparents.
29.
30.
31.
32. Implications for a Refugee
• No opportunities for career development or higher education
• Difficult to find a life partner
• Difficult to start a family
• High levels of stress
• Isolation
33. Your Purpose as Mercy Corps Aid Worker
1. Help refugees meet basic life needs such as water and shelter
2. Focusing on the impact our work can make on the emotional and developmental needs of this population
35. Sources
“Syrian Refugees Flee Into Neighboring Countries”. Care. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013.
http://www.care.org/emergency/syrian-refugees-in-jordan/index.asp?s_src=redcpcgSyrianCrisis&s_subsrc=syrianrefugees&cr=careisproviding&gclid=CPqXn9P8iLoCFdSY4AodZz4AQw
“Syria Regional Response Rate”. UNHCR. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013. http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php
Smith-Spark, Laura. “Syria: Chemical weapons team faces many danger, says U.N. chief Ban. CNN. 10/08/2013. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013. “
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/08/world/meast/syria-‘civil-war/index.html
“Stories from Syrian Refugees.” UNHCR. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013. http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/syria.php
Goh, Melisa. “Red Cross declares civil war in Syria”. NPR. 07/15/2012. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/15/156808427/red-cross-declares-civil-war-in-syria
UNHCR. “Syria Emergency – Background.” UNHCR. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013 http://www.unhcr.org/pages/4f86c2426.html
“Syria Profile” BBC. 10/08/2013. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703856
Anonymous Syrian Citizen. “Fearing Detention, many young Syrian Men Stay in the Shadow”. NPR. 10/01/2013. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013
http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/09/30/227781619/fearing-detention-many-young-syrian-men-stay-in-the-shadows
Shim, Serena. “Syrian Woman Torches Herself After Being Raped in Turkey Camp”. PressTV. 9/29/2013. Accessed on the web: 10/8/2013.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/09/29/326620/syrian-woman-torches-herself-after-being-raped-in-turkey-camp/
Editor's Notes
Presentation Notes
First Bullet: The conflict in Syria began as a result of anti-gov protests. The Arab Spring is considered the initiating factor.
Arab Spring is CONSIDERED XXXXXXXXX
In July 2012 the conflict between the Syrian government and the opposition (the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces) was officially declared a civil war by the Red Cross (IS THIS INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS…CLARFICIATION NEEDED)
Presentation Notes
Bullet 1: The United Nations state that around 5,000 persons flee Syria each day (updated Sept 2013).
Bullet 2: There are currently 2,034,544 refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or UNHCR with 2,170,431 total persons of concern.
As of the end of August, the United Nations identified 110,000 Egypt; 168,000 in Iraq; 515,000 in Jordan; 716,000 in Lebanon; 460,000 Refugees in Turkey (PLEASE NOTE there are 14,959 registered Syrian refugees in North Africa)
Over 50% of refugees are children under the age of 17
Bullet 3: Over 50% of refugees are children under the age of 17.
Bullet 4: The majority of refugees brought minimal possessions and are dependent on humanitarian aid of the receiving country and international organizations. The large number of refugees are overwhelming the limited resources of host countries, straining infrastructure and available resources. Refugees are increasingly reliant on country and international humanitarian aid.
Bullet 5: By the end of this year, it is projected that there will be over 3 million Syrian registered refugees. NEED TO KNOW THIS REFERENCE PRIMARY SOURCE
Reference for statistics:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=45757#.UlbmKNKsiSo
Reference for PHOTO 1: XXXXXXXXX
Reference for PHOTO 2: XXXXXXXXX
Presentation Notes
Bullet 1: Gender does not play a significant factor in Refugee status.
Bullet 2: Majority of refugees are aged 5-11 and 18-59 years of age.
These age groups can be significantly impacted by displacement from home, traumatic events, XXXXXXXX
Reference for statistics:
http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php
Presentation Notes
From the previous slide we know that there 20% of Syrian refugees are children aged 5-11. This means that 400,000 refugees currently are in the Middle Childhood stage.
Reference for this Definition is XXXXXXXX
*****changed schools because there are schools so I clarified with formalized and consistent*****
Bullet 1: Lack of formalized and consistent education opportunities to be industrious in, to seek out talents
Bullet 2: Peers are available but relationships are being developed under complicated conditions (Peers are available, relationships are able to be formed under difficult circumstances???? Wasn’t sure where this was going so check up on top for correct representation of thought process)
Bullet 4: Adult examples are struggling with no work and there are variable examples of resilience NOT SURE WHY THERE ARE ADULTS HERE Is this suppose to be that they are becoming adults early? They are having to establish resilience in order to survive…looking more to survive than not?
Presentation Notes
From the previous slide we know that there 45.7% of Syrian refugees are early adults aged 18-59. This means that 920,000 refugees currently are in the Early Adulthood stage. (defined in the following slides as 18-40)
Please Note: That the ending of early adulthood is slightly higher than the theories but it is impossible to identify further at this time (WE NEED TO ID IF WE CAN BREAKDOWN THE NUMBERS EVEN MORE FROM UNHCR…PROBABLY can)
I think we need to divide the women and the men here due to the Muslim culture being most prominent (catholic too). Gender roles are important……thoughts?
Men in the early adulthood phase in Syrian refugee camps are sometimes recruited to join the Free Syrian Army. Those that stay in Syria, but choose to not join the military or rebel forces, fear that they may be killed if they are labeled as rebels. Thus, they live their lives in hiding. This has the following implications:
We need to work in exposure to other countries, their laws, culture and societal norms
We also need primary sources related to research already conducted related to refugees and development in camps.
