Counterfeit Only Child
The Reasons for Masking a Sibling’s Death
Topic:
I am working on the topic of how people socially and mentally deal with the death of a sibling because I want to find out why people choose to mask this element in order to help my reader understand the lifelong difficulties that accompany such a tragedy.
Description of Research Topic:
A loss in the immediate family is devastating to all members. As an individual who has gone through firsthand experience, I understand the social and mental difficulties that go along with this heartbreak. Over the years I have dealt with many anxieties in which I have had to attend counseling. I have a constant feeling of loss in the back of my mind. My attempt to mask this vulnerability is covered by my counterfeit argument of being an only child.
On a daily basis, I witness people interacting or talking about their own siblings. I simply observe and think about how truly lucky they are to enjoy that kind of support in this stressful and often hectic life. Many times, I hear of people who no longer speak to their sibling’s, usually because of money matters or a materialistic issue. If only these people understood the feeling of such immediate loss, possibly they would not take for granted this blessing.
My objective with this research paper is not only to help those dealing with loss cope but also to help those who do not fully appreciate their opportunity to have such a relationship. A life is far more enriched when shared with family. I have experienced a loss and gained, not only two parents who I love dearly, but two best friends. From this tragedy I have learned to cherish my remaining immediately family (regardless of what a pain that can be at times).
I hope that through using qualitative and quantitative information I can open up my reader’s eyes to the big picture. Statistics will be beneficial in this research paper; they will allow me to show the rarity of such a loss in the 21st century. When something becomes rare, it becomes extremely uneasy to deal with, therefore when this tragedy happens it hits hard. Through qualitative information I will be able to provide a story. I do not plan to only use myself as an example, although this loss has become more uncommon, it still occurs. Understand the social and mental repercussions is an important part of understanding the loss itself.
Context Description:
My topic could be extremely broad but in order to narrow it down I have chosen to focus mainly on learning how people cope with this tragedy in a social sense. I am going to approach my research with several questions. I will begin with quantitative information.
I have three main focus points for this section. How have mortality rates changed over time? I found a great text by Peter Congdon, “A Model Framework for Mortality and Health Data Classified by Age, Area, and Time”. This journal provides an extreme amount of statistics. Congdon takes into consideration every aspect listed in his title. His research is extensive and difficult to understand yet will be valuable to the final product.
Another source that I have chosen to use is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This site provides key information that will support why loss in the 21st century is so devastating. In present day life expectancy is 77.9 years of age and the death rate is 803.6 deaths per 100,000 population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). These numbers have improved greatly and will be helpful to my research project. This is only an example as to what statistics I will use for this topic.
Another aspect that I will focus on is the amount of children that parents are having in present day compared to past years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides a great deal of information on this subject. In current times, people have far less children than they did throughout history; therefore when we lose a child today, it has even more impact.
“The Long Term Relational Consequences of Problematic Family Backgrounds”, by Robert H. Lauer and Jeanette C. Lauer, focuses on the “conflicts or other problems” that arise from death or divorce (Lauer H, Lauer C 1). This article will be a tremendous help in pinpointing the repercussions of such tragedies.
There are many articles that have been written about this subject; however, I would like to keep my research project narrowed down and focus only on these types of statistics. The rest of my research will be more qualitative.
Citations:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/>.
Congdon, Peter. A Model Framework for Mortality and Health Data Classified by Age, Area, and Time. 1st ed. Vol. 62. International Biometric Society, 2006. 269-78. Print.
Lauer, Robert H., and Jeanette C. Lauer. The Long Term Relational Consequences of Problematic Family Backgrounds. 3rd ed. Vol. 40. National Council on Family Relations, 1991. Print.
You have some really great sources and quantitative information. In a historical context, you have grounded your paper with statistics. For example the present day life expectancy rates and the difference in the amount of children people have today compared to decades ago. Is there any qualitative data that you have found to give your paper some historical context?
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you already have sources and you know how you're going to use them to make and support your argument. A friend of mine who lost her brother when she was very young, didn't talk about her brother openly in classes and in public until her Senior year in High School. I feel as if she was tired of covering it up and thought that bringing it out in the open could help her heal. She made a very great art project about it, and continues to be the best sister she could ever be.
ReplyDeleteQualitative information will be very influential on the reader because they will be forced to see that although they had a childhood with a brother/sister or were a real only child there are other people around them, some that they might not realize, who are covering the death in their family.
You're really making great progress in your paper. I love the idea of including the statistics in your paper. I think that'll make the paper stronger overall, especially because when you think of this topic, quantitative information is what comes to mind. The statistics will be a great addition.
ReplyDeleteI found your topic to be really interesting. I have a long time friend, and it did not come out til recently that she had a twin. For as long as I've known her she has never discussed it. I am curious to know what made her come out now.
ReplyDeleteI like the aspect you mentioned of the social side of this - how people talk about siblings in everyday conversations and how others don't have a strong relationship with their siblings. I think comparing that and other points to the statistics will make for a great research paper.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of people hiding the truth of the death of a sibling one that will be very helpful to others down the road. Almost everyone has a different methods of dealing with such horrible tragedies like this one, so figuring out why people do what they do could maybe lead to helping them get through it easier.
ReplyDeleteYou are way farther than me in the planning stage for your paper! I think it is great how you already have your three main focus points laid out. Definitely agree with the cherishing the immediate family, despite how much of a pain they can be part!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could relate to this topic. I'm desensitized regarding relatives in general. There needs to be more understanding about the intimacy between siblings and how people deal with loss. I can't wait for this paper to open my eyes about concepts that are foreign to me.
ReplyDeleteThis topic is so interesting to me because I never really thought about how uncomfortable or even awkward it may be for someone to admit that they USED to have a sibling. What does one identify that sibling as? I think this will be an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteAmerican studies is an interdisciplinary field so you many want to find some first hand accounts, a more humanist approach to compliment the sociological data that you are able to obtain.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has also lost someone in the immediate family, this topic really hits home for me. These sorts of tragedies alter your life in so many ways, you take on a different perspective towards life. You even begin to notice things you never have before about yourself and others. I agree with Tom I think some sociological statistics would be useful in grounding your argument more. What exactly is the conclusion you are trying to make?
ReplyDeleteI think your inquiries about this behavior of covering being a recent thing is a promising topic. Just by conjuring the stereotypical image of an old farm household or tenement house, you think of two ruddy faced God-fearing salt-of-the-earth people. With a whole litter of kids to use as a cheap labor force. You also had a lot because not all would make it "thru tha wintah"
ReplyDeleteYou better double check this but I think America has a neutral birthrate and many other countries like Japan or Germany have neutral or negative birthrates which is change the culture of children in society. So maybe address how the tragedy of lost child creates a unique impact in a developed nation.