Chyna Vazquez

October 21, 2020

ENG1121

Word Count: 1083

  1. Citation:

Zayas, Luis H. “Transcript of ‘The Psychological Impact of Child Separation at the US-Mexico Border.’” TED, Sept. 2019, www.ted.com/talks/luis_h_zayas_the_psychological_impact_of_child_separation_at_the_us_mexico_border/transcript. 

  1. Summary:

According to the Ted Talk, Zayas mentions that the living conditions of young immigrants are inhumane and terrifying. The U.S. is harming children and causing long term trauma. He mentions two boys that he met at a detention center and was very touched by their stories. Regions of the brain that are associated with cognition may even lead to permanent damage which can alter their future. Stress in children can lead to susceptibility to infections. In addition, illnesses such as diabetes or asthma can affect one’s adulthood and shorten the lifespan. Detention facilities cause children to encounter mental health issues. 

  1. Reflection:

I strongly agree with Zayas because stress is really difficult for young children. They may have a hard coping with stress especially if their parents are not around. Therefore, since children are still growing and developing cognitive skills, their past traumas will affect them in the long run. Children have to face night terrors, depression, anxiety, dissociative identity disorder, etc. Children deserve to be children, they should be able to enjoy their infancy like any other child and not behind bars.  

Quote the text.

  • “We could take old motels, old army barracks, refit them so that children and parents can live as family units in some safety and normality, where kids can run around” (Zayas, 2019).

What questions do you have about what the text is saying? What don’t you understand?

  • Who will cover the costs of refitting old motels? 

What other information do you need to look up to better understand this article?

  • Would the government be willing to pay the costs? 

If you could say something to this author, what would you say?

  • I really admire Zayas because he is a well spoken psychologist . He even suggests some ways of how the country can do better. He is advocating for change. 

What does this document tell you about your research question?

  • This document tells me that detention centers affect children’s health in so many ways possible. Detention facilities harm the child’s cognitive skills which can cause chronic illness and even lead to infections. 

Rhetorical factors:

How do you feel about the author’s writing style?

  • The author’s writing style was amazing. His voice was very soft but touching. He showed a lot of emotions throughout his TED talk. 

What is the author’s intended audience and purpose (reason for writing)?

  • The author’s intended audience is people of the U.S. The purpose of his writing is to convince the people that no child should be harmed in the hands of the government regardless of anyone’s political party.

Is the genre effective? Does the choice of genre make sense for what the author wants to accomplish?

  • Yes, the genre is effective. Zaya’s voice sounds passionate when he talks about this topic. The choice of genre makes sense for Zaya to persuade others about the damages detention centers have done to children.  

How do you know this is a credible author and document?

  • This is a credible author and document because TED talks are a form of resource that feature videos of different types of topics. Luis H. Zayas is a social worker, psychologist, and researcher.
  1. Quotation:

“We also know that under stress, the child’s immune system is suppressed, making them susceptible to infections. Chronic illnesses, like diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, will follow those children into adulthood and likely shorten their lives” (Zayas, 2013).

  1. Citation:

Fruchtnicht, Sarah. “U.S. Locking Up Immigrant Children With Adults, Some for Over a Year.” Opposing Views, 7 June 2013, www.opposingviews.com/category/us-locking-immigrant-children-adults-some-over-year

  1. Summary:

According to Opposing Views, immigrant children are kept in detention facilities for long periods of time. It is unlawful for children to be kept in these cells for more than a week. In addition, they don’t provide basic necessities to these children. In fact, some children are kept in the same cells that adults are being held. Cells are also overcrowded with people. 

  1. Reflection:

I strongly agree with this article because it is not age appropriate for young children to be with adults. Not only is it unlawful but it is against ICE policy to detain unaccompanied minors for more than 72 hours. Children should at least be assigned to detention centers with their family members. They don’t deserve to be locked up for days, months, and sometimes even years. 

Quote the text.

  • “One child detained at age 15 was held for more than a decade” (paragraph 2).

What questions do you have about what the text is saying? What don’t you understand?

  • What prevented the teen from being released? 

What other information do you need to look up to better understand this article?

  • Was his parents also held in the detention center for a decade?

If you could say something to this author, what would you say?

  • The author developed very good information that is not usually talked about. Fruchtnicht incorporated different types of information to back up her main idea.

What does this document tell you about your research question?

  • This document not only expands on the damages of mental health of children in detention centers but children are also held with adults. This is not age appropriate.

Rhetorical factors:

How do you feel about the author’s writing style?

  • The author’s writing style was very descriptive. 

What is the author’s intended audience and purpose (reason for writing)?

  • The author’s intended audience are citizens. The purpose of writing this article is to inform others about the unlawful situations that occur within detention centers. 

Is the genre effective? Does the choice of genre make sense for what the author wants to accomplish?

  • Yes the genre is effective because the author explains a specific subject and backs up her ideas with data. The choice of genre makes sense for the author because it gives information to citizens about this topic.

How do you know this is a credible author and document?

  • This is a credible author and document because Opposing Views is a news website and has many articles from across the political spectrum.                                                                                                           
  1. Quotation:

“If there are 1,300 kids over a period of four years in adult detention facilities, there’s a real problem. Because that’s not what the law says. That’s not what’s supposed to be happening. As a country, we shouldn’t be detaining these kids, period, but especially not in adult facilities” (paragraph 6).