Development Through Life Stages
Development through life stages
The different influences on an individual’s development
Genetic influences
Genetic influences that can have an effect on an individual’s development can be positive or negative. Genetics influences can cause a genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Down syndrome is caused by all or some of the cells in the individual’s body contain 47 chromosomes, as there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. The additional genetic material causes physical and developmental characteristics associated with Down's syndrome. Down syndrome can have an effect on the individuals learning development .As normally an individual who has the condition develops slower in development areas therefore this can cause learning and behavioural problems this can have an effect on the individual’s social skills, finical status and future career because they may not have skills that are required.
Biological influences
Biological influences that can have an effect on an individual’s life style or development involve physical, physiological, chemical, neurological, or genetic. Many biological factors which can impact on an individual’s development can be involved before and during pregnancy. For example if the mother was having server amounts of alcohol before and during the pregnancy it can cause the child to suffer from liver damage and for the baby to be premature and underweight. It can also impact the cognitive development of the child, as studies have shown drinking while pregnant can cause the child to have behavioural and learning difficulties. Alcohol can also cause the baby to develop a number of conditions such as; foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This causes the child to have poor growth, facial abnormalities, and learning and behavioral problems. Smoking during pregnancy can affect the fetus in many ways. For example it can damage the baby’s lungs causing the child to develop lung disease and asthma. It can also cause birth deformities such as cleft palate and sometimes even death of the fetus.
Environmental factors
An environmental factors that influence an individual’s development can involve Physical, physiological, chemical, neurological, or genetic. If a child is abused by a family member such from the opposite sex, for example a mother abusing her son, or the farther abusing his daughter can cause serious mental and physical issues in later life through developing. For example if a child is bought up with constant sexual abuse, the individual can go on to think that the abuse is normal and proceed to do it themselves with their family or children or the individual can have serious trust issues now with the opposite sex and cause issues for the individual in their later love life. If the abuse was physical or sexual it could permanently damage the child, such as constant broken bones can cause damage as the bone won’t be able to heal properly leaving the individual with mobility issues. The abuse may have caused the child to have mental issues such as depression, lack of self-esteem and constant fear or anxiety. This can cause a lack of social and emotional development.
Socio-economic factors
Socio- economic factors that can influence an individual’s development can involve the area where the individuals lives or their income. For example if a family earn a low income it’s more likely that the family have poor housing and less money for items that may not be seen as vital such as fresh fruit or a better quality of meals. This can lead the family having a poor, unhealthy diet which can lead to malnutrition which can have an effect on the family’s health as they will be vulnerable to infection and illness. The family may not also choose to go to their GP if they become ill as they may not be able to afford the medication. The family may not also be to afford curricular activities, this can effect on their child`s social development.
Lifestyle factors
Lifestyle factors that can influence and individuals development involve, diet, exercise, where the individual works, if the individual smokes or drink etc. If an individual chooses to smoke on a regular basis the individual can suffer many health risks, such as lung and throat cancers, tar build up in the lungs, and tumours. This can cause serious health issues which involve breathing difficulties, the failure of organs and a shorter life span. The individual can also suffer from ageing, yellow teeth and fingers and the smell of a cigarette on their skin, and clothes and in their hair. This can effect social development as it can have a negative an effect on his/her relationships as others may not want to be around the individual. The addiction of smoking can cause the individual to spend enormous amount of money daily to feed their addiction. This can cause the individual to choose cigarettes over other needs such as food, or monthly bills this can leave the individual vulnerable to an illness as they can become malnourished.