In order for an individual to mature into adulthood at the proper rate, certain circumstances must be met for them to prosper. That is why the concept of having a parent and growing up in a safe environment is so important. Children are naive and have to be nurtured in a manner that promotes positivity in their lives. In Sonia Nazario’s Enrique’s Journey, the main character Enrique is a boy who had to endure abandonment from both his mother and then later his father. Because of this, he looked for ways to cope with his neglect such as sniffing glue and smoking marijuana. Neglect made Enrique abuse drugs that would permanently damage him. Many children all around the world are just like Enrique where they must endure the struggles of growing …show more content…
Smoking during pregnancy can lead to increased risk for stillbirth, infant mortality, respiratory problems, slowed fetal growth, and low birth weight, which is an important risk factor for later developmental delay. (DePanfilis). Low birth weight has been shown to be dose dependent, which means the more the pregnant mother partakes in smoking, the more infant birth weight is decreased. Lastly, smoking more than a pack a day during pregnancy has been shown to nearly double the risk of the child becoming addicted to nicotine if they begin smoking. Also, malnutrition has been shown to lead to stunted brain growth and to slower passage of electrical signals in the brain. The most common form of malnutrition in the United States is iron deficiency, which can lead to cognitive and motor delays, anxiety, depression, social problems, and problems with attention (DePanfilis). Society is also negatively impacted from neglect. Child abuse and neglect affects over 1 million children every year; child abuse and neglect costs the United States $220 million everyday (OCAN). The estimated cost of hospitalized maltreated children is $20 million annually, rehabilitation and special education $7 million, and foster care $460 million. The