"Where Children Sleep" - amazing photo slideshow

sm23 · August 2011

There is a really great, thought-provoking photo slideshow on the New York Times' website today called Where Children Sleep. It shows 19 kids across the world, along with photos of their bedrooms/where they sleep. The children are from various socio-economic backgrounds, and the disparities are heartbreaking. Thought some of you might find this interesting.

leolyns · August 2011

That was really interesting, thank you for sharing.

I can't imagine being 7 years old and working in a rock quarry or 14 and pregnant or sleeping on top of a dump.

sm23 · August 2011

leolyns:
That was really interesting, thank you for sharing.

I can't imagine being 7 years old and working in a rock quarry or 14 and pregnant or sleeping on top of a dump.

Isn't that awful? It just shocks me what life is like for so many people in this world.

leolyns · August 2011

yes it is awful, totally puts things in perspective and things to not take for granted. I've never taken my bed for granted or home but some people don't even get a choice.

hannikan · August 2011

The difference in sanitary conditions and resources is tragic. It's also sad to see things like tremendous pressure put on a 4 yr old to compete in pageants. I often wonder about where some of my students live/sleep. I know I have had at least a couple of students who were homeless; some who have been kicked out by their parents or whose parents were drug addicts. I've had kids who've been in Foster Care, bouncing from one home to another. Some whose parents' were foreclosed on who've had to move in with relatives and sleep in the living room or even the bathroom. So many people living under one roof. And I have only been teaching for a few years. So that shows how common it is.

EmmieB · August 2011

while some of those are truly heartbreaking - I found myself more interested in the tribal customs - including the Geisha. I tried to look at them and not see poverty, but tradition and culture. And to be semi-nomadic? Do they find it a burden, or is it freedom not to be tied down?

hannikan · August 2011

EmmieB:
while some of those are truly heartbreaking - I found myself more interested in the tribal customs - including the Geisha. I tried to look at them and not see poverty, but tradition and culture. And to be semi-nomadic? Do they find it a burden, or is it freedom not to be tied down?

Some of them were just traditional cultural dwellings. That wasn't sad to me, the ones living in dumps were. If children have what they need, which isn't a lot really, simple homes are fine.

soprano71 · August 2011

Wow. I thought the 14 year old pregnant girl was particularly heartbreaking.

Thanks for sharing this.

cheryl2006 · August 2011

hannikan:
EmmieB:
while some of those are truly heartbreaking - I found myself more interested in the tribal customs - including the Geisha. I tried to look at them and not see poverty, but tradition and culture. And to be semi-nomadic? Do they find it a burden, or is it freedom not to be tied down?
Some of them were just traditional cultural dwellings. That wasn't sad to me, the ones living in dumps were. If children have what they need, which isn't a lot really, simple homes are fine.

Totally agree. I think the cultural photos were fascinating, but a lot of them were so heartbreaking. I can't imagine growing up in that sort of environment. Or having to start working at such a young age.

RoxysMama · August 2011

leolyns:

I can't imagine being 14 and pregnant or sleeping on top of a dump.

wow

EmmieB · August 2011

hannikan:
EmmieB:
while some of those are truly heartbreaking - I found myself more interested in the tribal customs - including the Geisha. I tried to look at them and not see poverty, but tradition and culture. And to be semi-nomadic? Do they find it a burden, or is it freedom not to be tied down?
Some of them were just traditional cultural dwellings. That wasn't sad to me, the ones living in dumps were. If children have what they need, which isn't a lot really, simple homes are fine.

Right - I'm fascinated by the cultural dwellings. If I focus on the heartbreaking shots then I can't see the other side - that there is beauty in simplicity and that not all cultures are being assimilated into one giant generic blob.

Passanie · August 2011

EmmieB:
hannikan:
EmmieB:
while some of those are truly heartbreaking - I found myself more interested in the tribal customs - including the Geisha. I tried to look at them and not see poverty, but tradition and culture. And to be semi-nomadic? Do they find it a burden, or is it freedom not to be tied down?
Some of them were just traditional cultural dwellings. That wasn't sad to me, the ones living in dumps were. If children have what they need, which isn't a lot really, simple homes are fine.
Right - I'm fascinated by the cultural dwellings. If I focus on the heartbreaking shots then I can't see the other side - that there is beauty in simplicity and that not all cultures are being assimilated into one giant generic blob.

Yeah, some of them look like they wouldn't be that bad to live in. Simple, but if you grow up in place where everybody lives in one room, you wouldn't mind living in one room. Not that I want to work in a rock quarry...

It reminds me of some of the Habitat for Humanity applicants we interview. We go to their homes in these horrible parts of town that people like us are afraid to even visit. You ask them about the safety of their neighborhood, knowing there's gangs and drug deals around they're like, "oh, it's fine. It's a nice neighborhood."

Often it's because they came from a refugee camp in Asia that was a heck of a lot worse. So from their perspective, this is better. I almost wonder if we're the ones with the issues, the ones who are so caught up in competing to have the biggest house, etc.

EmmieB · August 2011

Passanie:
EmmieB:
hannikan:
EmmieB:
while some of those are truly heartbreaking - I found myself more interested in the tribal customs - including the Geisha. I tried to look at them and not see poverty, but tradition and culture. And to be semi-nomadic? Do they find it a burden, or is it freedom not to be tied down?
Some of them were just traditional cultural dwellings. That wasn't sad to me, the ones living in dumps were. If children have what they need, which isn't a lot really, simple homes are fine.
Right - I'm fascinated by the cultural dwellings. If I focus on the heartbreaking shots then I can't see the other side - that there is beauty in simplicity and that not all cultures are being assimilated into one giant generic blob.

Yeah, some of them look like they wouldn't be that bad to live in. Simple, but if you grow up in place where everybody lives in one room, you wouldn't mind living in one room. Not that I want to work in a rock quarry...
It reminds me of some of the Habitat for Humanity applicants we interview. We go to their homes in these horrible parts of town that people like us are afraid to even visit. You ask them about the safety of their neighborhood, knowing there's gangs and drug deals around they're like, "oh, it's fine. It's a nice neighborhood."
Often it's because they came from a refugee camp in Asia that was a heck of a lot worse. So from their perspective, this is better. I almost wonder if we're the ones with the issues, the ones who are so caught up in competing to have the biggest house, etc.

this is the source of a lot of angst for people. My BIL is one of them - they had to get a specific swingset for the backyard because of the one their neighbors got. (for example)

I like the trend of people stripping down to what is essential and living more simply. But then, I wouldn't mind selling everything and living out of an airstream...

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