Shalom! A Journal for the Practice of Reconciliation is a quarterly publication of the Brethren in Christ Church. Its mission is to educate and stimulate Christ-like responses to the needs of society by providing biblical, theological, sociological, denominational and personal perspectives on a variety of comtemporary issues.
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Current Issue
Winter 2012, "Caring for Our Children"
From 1995–1997, more than 17,000 people participated in a study about the effect of “adverse childhood experiences” (ACES). The study showed that two-thirds of the participants reported at least one ACE and 20 percent reported three or more. ACES include emotional, physical and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect; as well as domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness of a parent, parental separation or divorce, and incarceration of a parent. The study also showed that more ACES in childhood increase the risk of things like alcohol and drug abuse, depression, and suicide attempts later in life. In addition, ACES and other traumas or stressors like accidents, war, poverty, and natural disasters have a negative effect on the healthy development of a young child’s brain. Other research has shown that toxic stress (like abuse, neglect and poverty) can prevent the healthy development of the connections in the brain that are the most important for later success in school and work. Information like this is important not only for the public and private human service systems that work with children but also for individual families and the church. The Church should be in the business of helping to prevent adverse childhood experiences and supporting parents in the sometimes difficult task of raising healthy children. As Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, for the kingdom belongs to them."
