Latest news with #childhood
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Health
- Al Jazeera
This is what it is like to be held in solitary confinement in a US prison
Warning: This story contains references to suicide, which some readers may find disturbing. If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help and support are available. Visit Befrienders International for more information about support services. When I was a child, I would spend each summer with my family in the foothills of northern Pakistan's Karakoram mountains. We would spend our days exploring the verdant meadows, forests and lakes in this region known as the "roof of the world" and then return to our lodge for meals of chargha (fire-roasted chicken) and naan, hot tea, coconut biscuits, cashews and dried fruits. At night, we'd make bonfires and tell stories about our family spread all over the world. I remember how tiny I felt sitting wrapped in a woollen Kashmiri shawl on those chilly nights, sitting under skies full of stars. Those trips always carried a sense of adventure - and freedom. One day during one of those summer holidays when I was 12, my Aunt Naseem went for a walk and I tagged along. She was my mentor and confidant and, having never had children of her own, was like a mother to me. That day, we headed to the Neelam River separating Pakistan-administered Kashmir from Indian-administered Kashmir. We walked along the riverbank beside the clear river. We were so close to the border that we could see the Indian army posts, their guns pointed in our direction. Arriving at a higher point, we stood in the Neelum Valley. It had rained earlier and now the air was fresh. Snow-capped peaks rose in the distance. I remember my aunt pulling me into the warmth of her shawl. "Once here, Tariq, you never actually leave. A part of you will always stay in the north, always beckoning,' she told me. Her words enchanted me. "You don't believe me,' she said, her smile widening. "Shout out your name and see what happens." I shouted - as loud as I could. Then it came: an echo that seemed to say my name over and over into the distance. "Now you see. The mountains are too high. They will never let Tariq leave," my aunt told me.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
You And Your Siblings Might've Had Very Different Childhoods Despite Growing Up Together — Here's Why
Hearing your siblings describe their childhood can sometimes be a little jarring. You may even get the sense that you didn't grow up on the same planet, much less in the same house. 'Despite having shared early experiences, it's not uncommon for siblings to have experienced their childhood in a very different way,' said Genevieve von Lob, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Happy Parent, Happy Child.' It turns out this is normal ― and for a good reason. Below, experts break down this phenomenon. The family circumstances a child is born into often differ from when their younger sibling arrives. For example, economic changes may make siblings feel like their childhoods weren't the same. 'Significant changes in family financial status can impact differences in extracurricular activities, schooling, vacations, and other material aspects of childhood between siblings,' said Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, a clinical psychologist at Boston Children's Hospital in Massachusetts. 'These things are very tangible and can feel 'unfair,' even though they are often just a product of changes in circumstances.' Emotional shifts in parents can play a significant role as well. For example, siblings are often born at different phases in their parents' lives, so they might be treated differently. 'Parents may show up very differently for each of their children depending on where they are in their own lives, including their own mental health and stress levels, their significant partnership, support network, work and financial commitments, and whether they have more than one child,' von Lob said. She noted that parenting might feel overwhelming to someone highly sensitive, as their nervous systems become overstimulated more quickly. 'If they have more than one child, other stressors in their lives, or if they haven't had enough sleep and time alone to recharge their batteries, then they can become more drained, anxious, irritated and frazzled,' von Lob said. 'So differences in the way a child is parented can also be influenced by the temperament of the parent and where the parent is emotionally in their lives.' 'Siblings born years apart are quite literally born from parents who themselves are years apart from who they were during the earlier or later pregnancy,' noted Dr. Kevin Simon, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Boston Children's Hospital and chief behavioral health officer for the city of Boston. As parents get more experience raising children, they inevitably evolve in their caregiving style. 'Some parents are more unsure and cautious with their first child and more sure of themselves with subsequent siblings,' Sinclair-McBride said. 'This can make older and younger siblings' experiences different.' Parents may recognize that certain approaches they took with their first child weren't ideal and adjust accordingly. 'Maybe the older sibling was treated more harshly, but the parents readjusted their parenting style and were more compassionate with their parenting moving forward with a younger sibling,' said parenting educator Laura Linn Knight. 'An older sibling also may have experienced or witnessed more than the younger sibling, such as a divorce, so this can affect the way they see themselves in the family dynamic.' Birth order can also shape the way a child perceives and interacts with their parents. 'For example, the oldest child is often expected to take on more responsibilities and look after younger siblings, so may have different expectations placed on them,' von Lob said. 'In this way, they may have a very different experience of their childhood. Younger siblings may have a parent who feels more experienced and therefore may be more relaxed but may have less time to give that child than the firstborn.' 'All siblings are unique individuals ― including twins,' Sinclair-McBride said. 'Having their own personality styles, traits, and characteristics may cause siblings to interpret or experience the same situations or parenting differently. In turn, these differences may impact the way they are parented, connect to their parents and experience their family.' One child may share certain interests and personality traits with one or both parents, while another sibling has more of their own distinct personality and interests. So if one kid is passionate about that same sport or team their parent loves, they may forge a specific bond around that activity. 'Sometimes, a child's personality traits can bring out different sides of their parents, and parents may relate to a child's personality more than another child, which can be seen as favoritism,' Knight said. 'Because of personality traits of the child and parent, you find that parents respond differently to each child or enjoy spending more time with a child that is easier for them to communicate with and enjoy the company of. When we look at differences in personality, temperament, needs and interests of parents and children, it is easy to see that siblings will have their own unique experience.' Even parents with the best intentions don't respond to each child similarly. Factors like personality, past experiences and even societal expectations around gender roles can color each interaction. While some kids are more extroverted and crave attention, others can be more reserved and less open about what they want. 'The gender, personality, needs, mannerisms and behavior of each particular child can trigger parents in different ways, which can result in a sibling who is treated very differently to the other children,' von Lob said. She noted that a parent may find their strong-willed, highly sensitive child more demanding and difficult to manage than their laidback, easy-tempered child ― which can lead to very different interactions over those childhood years. 'Depending on the personality, temperament, and characteristics we're born with, our parents will respond to those differences,' said clinical psychologist and author Jenny Yip. 'Siblings are different individuals who will also respond to their parents differently.' She noted that no two individuals think the same way about a situation. Thus, siblings can have different emotional responses to similar experiences. This is true for how they feel during childhood and as adults looking back. 'It's just like eyewitness accounts,' Yip said. 'You have 10 people who all saw the same thing, but depending on belief system, attitude, and values, they're going to interpret the same incident differently. Another example is like watching a movie. Everyone in the room watches the same movie, but what each person takes from it and relates to it is going to be different depending on your values, attitudes, and belief system. It's the same with siblings who share the same parents.' Siblings can disagree about shared experiences. For example, one may have been more affected by a particularly positive or traumatic event that they both lived through. Or they may simply have a different impression of whether something was positive or negative at all. 'One sibling may have loved the village they grew up in, but the other sibling found it stifling,' von Lob said. 'One sibling may have loved the camping holidays in the countryside, but the other sibling found it boring and remembers wanting to go abroad.' 'It is normal and expected for siblings to have different experiences with their parents,' Simon said. 'This is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It is a natural result of each sibling's unique personality, experiences, and perspective.' Indeed, the fact that you and your siblings grew up in the same home but had very different perceptions of your childhoods does not necessarily indicate a problem. 'Children do not have to be treated exactly the same at all times to be treated equitably,' Sinclair-McBride said. 'Because each individual is unique, they have unique needs and experiences. If those needs were met with love and support, slight differences in treatment do not have to be a cause for alarm for parents or siblings.' Still, the reality is that you and your siblings have different impressions of your childhood, and your parents may feel uncomfortable. That's where talking about it can help. 'Siblings need to recognize and respect each other's differences in how they perceive and relate to their parents,' Simon said. 'Siblings can learn to appreciate and value each other's perspectives, even if they disagree.' Although these differences are natural and understandable, processing them is still helpful. In addition, there might be some negative feelings that warrant addressing. 'If one or more siblings feel that there was unfair and unequal treatment in their childhoods, working through this together can be very beneficial to their relationships,' Sinclair-McBride said. 'Giving one's siblings grace to explain their experiences without judgment and defensiveness can help with perspective-taking and compassion. Trying to change other people's perceptions of their experiences is a futile exercise. Working through one's own experiences can be healing.' 24 Hilarious Comics About Sibling Relationships 35 Too-Real Tweets About The Things Siblings Fight Over 43 Photos Of Adopted Siblings That Show Family Is About Love, Not DNA
Geek Vibes Nation
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Red Island' Blu-Ray Review - A Reflective, Child's-Eye View Of Colonization
Living on one of the last remaining military bases amidst a hedonistic group of French armed forces in 1970s Madagascar, ten-year-old Thomas begins to find cracks in the surface of his family's blissful existence on the idyllic island. Taking inspiration from his comic book hero Fantomette, Thomas spies on those around him, discovering the hidden and tangled political and sexual lives of the colonizers and the colonized. As relocation looms, Thomas questions whether the memories he has made are ones he should remember fondly. Simultaneously a sensual evocation of discovering the adult world and a sober reflection of what it represents, Robin Campillo's anticipated follow-up to his acclaimed 120 BPM weaves together the personal and political in a 'visually spectacular [and] masterful portrayal of colonialism through a child's eyes' (The Upcoming). For in-depth thoughts on Red Island, please see my colleague Will Bjarnar's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality Red Island arrives on Blu-Ray courtesy of Film Movement with a sumptuous 1080p presentation that perfectly captures the look of the film. This is a visually resplendent film with a significant amount of time spent around the community, and the camera soaks up every single moment of it. There is a fetching amount of detail in close-up shots, along with wide shots of the beautiful scenery. Colors are deftly saturated and especially vibrant within the foliage. Skin tones look natural, and there are some wonderful facial details present. Black levels are solid with no obvious crush, and highlights avoid blooming under the bright sun. Compression artifacts and other digital anomalies are fortunately not an issue. The film looks great in high definition. Audio Quality The Blu-Ray comes with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track in the original mixture of French and Malagasy that sounds lovely. The movie is primarily dialogue-driven with room to observe and luxuriate in the soundscape as a whole. Dialogue is clear without being burdened by the score or sound effects. This is not a film that commands a particularly robust low end, but there is some valuable texture at points. The track shakes things up with sounds of nature emanating out of the speakers. The film makes good use of panning effects to make the island come alive. Environmental sounds come through distinctly in the side and rear speakers. Overall, this track does a tremendous job of representing the film. Optional English subtitles are available. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director Robin Campillo provides a commentary track in which he discusses the process of making the film, the inspiration for the narrative, the fairy tale qualities, the performances, and more. Trailer (1:56) Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay 'Masks Off: On Robin Campillo's Red Island ' by film critic Sam Cohen is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis and context for the historical aspects, themes, and plot developments, which strengthens your appreciation overall. Final Thoughts Red Island provides a unique entry point into the colonization of a community as seen through the wide, deeply observant eyes of a kid. Director Robin Campillo weaves in the stories of multiple different members of the community, but the limited lens means that some of the narratives feel a bit incomplete or superfluous. There is a mixture of tones that mostly works out well, but the clashes are jarring in a few key moments. The performances of the young newcomers are quite good, and the adults in the ensemble all feel completely authentic to the time period. It is not always the smoothest path, but the narrative journey is worth taking. Film Movement has provided a Blu-Ray with a splendid A/V presentation along with a valuable commentary track. Recommended Red Island is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Film Movement and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
The noises you make every day fill me with disgust. Now I'm not afraid to tell you
In case you aren't related to me and didn't know, it was my dad's birthday last week. Looking through photos and various paraphernalia to make the perfect post about him that he almost certainly wouldn't see, I found a note I had written to him as a child. In it, using language that would now be considered 'toxic' and 'victim- blaming', I apologise for yelling at him for picking his nose (while also pointing out how disgusting I found it). Not to try and excuse my behaviour which I would describe medically as 'being a little shit', but occasionally in life we can look back at our child selves and understand something we didn't know at the time. This is one of those instances. To me, I can see the little shittery, but I can also see something else that probably caused this behaviour towards my dad, a condition outside my control: misophonia. Now that ADHD has had its moment in the sun, I am here to push for my cause. I have explained misophonia before, but essentially it is a disorder where specific sounds or movements from people around you act as triggers, causing extreme disgust, distress or even hatred. It's not the feeling you get when you're a bit annoyed at someone's open-mouth chewing; it's more like your entire body suddenly overflows with rage and sometimes vomit. The small amount of research into misophonia (it was only named in 2001) indicates it starts in childhood and may initially be focused on one particular family member. Hence, yelling at my dad for picking his nose. Which is disgusting by the way. My misophonic focus soon expanded to the rest of humanity, and since then barely a day has passed in which I haven't experienced some form of trigger. A few days ago I was watching a new Netflix show where one of the main characters was upset by a colleague eating an apple (very familiar) and she said he probably has misophonia, and then explained what it was. I was really surprised by what I felt when she explained it so matter-of-factly, and had it taken into consideration. It was the same feeling I get when I talk to someone else who has this condition, a relief that someone else understands and can give you appropriate support. The feeling that it has been taken seriously as a real thing. Because I know it sounds weird, and probably a bit made up. It's embarrassing to admit that a sound someone is making without even thinking about it has turned your insides into one of those primary school science fair volcanoes with vinegar and baking soda. That you can't listen to a conversation because someone is scraping a bowl. That you can't go to a movie with a friend who slurps their drink too loud. Even though I've written about misophonia, I still find it hard to talk about in real life. I find it hard to admit to a new friend and I find it very difficult to ask anyone to adjust their normal behaviours for me. I don't want to be a nuisance, or burden them. I'd rather put myself through the unpleasantness than ask them to change. But to feel able to ask for these things is a huge relief. Misophonia has clearly been with me forever, but as an adult I've also had the fun addition of some new mental health struggles. I have had a couple of depressive episodes in recent years, one right now as it happens (yes I am a hero), which is another thing I have found it very difficult to talk to people about. I still find it hard to be depressed around other people, even those who love me and will take my company in whatever state it's in. I am on a slow journey with it, but I have found that being open about my mental health with people – employers, colleagues, housemates, etc – has only been helpful. Misophonia feels like a different thing, but it's still related to my mental health – they sort of egg each other on. I am also on the slow journey with talking about it. I want to be more open about it – for most of my life I have gritted my teeth and blocked my ears, only letting the closest people in my life into my unusual reality. It's something that has heavily impacted my day-to-day and I have been too embarrassed to tell most people about it. But alongside society's growing awareness around neurodiversity and mental illness, I am getting better at knowing it is OK to ask people for adjustments to their behaviour, or more care, or a different way of doing things, if it will help. Whether it's depression or misophonia, having it taken seriously by other people is so important. So I am here to start the conversation. I am willing to become the face of misophonia. The face is scrunched up angrily at the sound of someone stirring their tea, but it's out there. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beloved star from Good Luck Charlie is now unrecognizable from her Disney days
Ready to feel old? The adorable baby from the beloved Disney Channel show Good Luck Charlie is now a high school student... and boy, does she look different from her Disney days. Mia Talerico, now 16, was skyrocketed into the spotlight when she portrayed the titular tot in the popular sitcom Good Luck Charlie back in 2010. She started starring in the series when she was only two years old, and her adorable personality and impressive acting skills at such a young age captured the hearts of millions. But flash forward to now, more than a decade after the show concluded, and Mia is all grown up and preparing to start 11th grade. She is now a popular influencer, often sharing videos and photos to her 1.3 million followers. In one recent clip, she showed off her nighttime skin care routine, and in another, she tried on various prom dresses. For the latter, many Good Luck Charlie fans couldn't believe that someone who they watched as a baby on screen was now headed to prom, and they flooded the comment section with posts about it. 'Our little Charlie is all grown up,' one user wrote. Another gushed, 'My childhood show,' alongside a heart. 'Wait! Charlie's heading to prom already!!! Disney please make that reboot before it's too late,' someone else begged. 'I have to keep remembering that you're in high school and Good Luck Charlie is over 10 years now,' a fourth comment read. 'Omg you have prom soon you are about to be all grown up that's insane,' a fifth said. 'Damn Charlie grew up beautifully,' announced a different user. Another penned, 'Oh my gosh you're all grown up!' After Good Luck Charlie ended in 2014, Mia went on to star as Paige in the USA show Mani from 2018 to 2022. She's now gearing up to act in the upcoming family comedy American Summer alongside Steve Guttenberg, Christie Brinkley, and Logan Gray. She has also released her own line of hair accessories, but her main focus seems to be finishing high school. For the latter, many Good Luck Charlie fans couldn't believe that someone who they watched as a baby on screen was now headed to prom, and they flooded the comment section In 2023, Mia reunited with her former Good Luck Charlie costars Bradley Steven Perry and Eric Allan Kramer, and it left fans of the show extremely emotional. Last year, Good Luck Charlie star Jason Dolley spoke about the possibility of a reboot to Deadline. 'I think there's plenty of interesting stories to be told. Personally, I'm interested in what PJ's trajectory looks like as a chef,' he said of his character. 'How far towards Gordon Ramsay does he go? I would just love to work with those people again. I think we all would do it.'
