Please Rate my not completed Article about Deaf children raised by hearing parents

joshy2328

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( It isnt finished yet but please rate it before i go on)

There are overwhelming issues that many Deaf people share in New Zealand. Such issues were raised when five individuals share their experiences at “Deaf Life Panel.” These people were Deaf and all had something to say about family and how tough and disappointing it was to have family members, especially parents that could not communicate with you effectively.

The issue I will hope to share is how Deaf children find it hard emotionally when all family members are hearing and how “communication break down” is at its peak and is the cause of, what I like to call “Family Dispersion.” Also, I will try to convey the importance of NZSL in the home environment.

Truth



To start with, I will introduce a woman who is Deaf (for privacy reasons, we will call her Helen). Like many Deaf people, Helen had hearing parents and siblings. She was sent to boarding school for Deaf children at a young age and spent most of her childhood years there. At the age of 16, she left school and started work. Helen had various jobs in New Zealand but later decided to move to America. She was still pretty young at this age. Helen spent eight years in America and so three children later, she decided to move back to New Zealand.

So as you can see, family is rarely mentioned and there is a distinct separation between Helen and her family.
 
My belief is that the problems come from separating the child from the family at a
young age. The family has the responsiblity to learn Sign Language so they can
communicate. Separation only adds to the childs stress. I have homeschooled all
7 of my children, (with no degree in education) and have been very successful.
The problem is a universal one and not confined to the deaf community. That problem is the giving of responsibility for education and care over to others. The question is not, Should the child be sent away to school? The question is, Should there be schools for young children at all?!
 
Language & Child Development

To be honest, I've read nothing unusual. This pattern has been repeated for decades. Perhaps this article will lead to a deeper observation.

Of course, I can only relate in that three of my parents have come from hearing families. The fourth has five generations of deafness but predominantly hearing. I, myself, grew up within a "Deaf family."
 
I don't think being separated from the family at young age causes this problem. I believe it is the family refusal to learn ASL is the problem. I remember being frustrated with my family when I was a child. My DAY school told my family not to use sign language.
I moved out of state as there is nothing to hold me to my family. I moved back after my divorce and now I am considering moving out of state again.
 
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