Social+Impact+-+AIDS+-+F08+-+1

=//Did You Know?... //=

AIDS is the 4th biggest cause of death in the world today and one-third of all the people living with HIV/AIDS are under the age of 25. These statistics obviously have a huge impact on the people of Africa. The disease of AIDS sadly interrupts and alters many lives and lifestyles. People, their tribes, and community relationships, are affected by these changes and and somehow must adapt to them.

The Effect on People
The people of Africa make up the backbone of society. They affect the economy, politics, and foreign involvement. However, the spread of AIDS can cause deaths off countries’ workers, such as the doctors, farmers, teachers, police officers, and community leaders. Therefore, it is harder to predict a future for the workforce and the stability of the nation may suffer. An adult acquiring AIDS affects the whole family. A drop of income results because the parents can’t go out to work. Consequently, poverty can lead to more orphaned children and, in some instances, women tend to turn to prostitution in order to make money. However, by making this decision, more people are put at risk of contracting AIDS.

The Effect on Tribes
The disease of AIDS boldly affects tribes and can upset the traditions and customs of a group of people. For example, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome has specifically affected the Luos tribe in Kenya. At the onset on manhood, the Luos follow the ritual of removing

[[image:http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/017f7lhca53ey/610x.jpg width="287" height="160" align="left"]]
six front bottom teeth. The Luos are unique though, because they are the only major tribe in Kenya that does not customarily circumcise maturing boys. Interestingly, one in every five Luo adults is infected with AIDS, while within Kenya, nearly one in every seventeen adults contracts the disease. These colorful statistics, paired with trials performed in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, suggest that cirumcised men are sixt


y percent less likey to contract the infectious disease. AIDS is forcing the Luos tribe to make a life or death, "million dollar" decision, of defying their traditional custom and getting on board with the procedure of circumcision.

The Effect on Relationships [[image:orphaned_children.jpg align="right"]]
Due to the staggering affect that AIDS has on the people and tribes of Africa, the relationships between and within these groups suffer. This disease greatly affects the family because the adults aren’t able to help the other family members, which in most cases, includes the children and the elderly. When the parents die, the children and elderly are forced to take care of themselves. Therefore, the children must drop out of school and take on the roles of parents much too early in their lives. This sad and unfortunate result affects the world as well because many other countries outside of Africa want to help these infected countries. Therefore, it can be said that the affect of AIDS has spread throughout the world.

**Works Cited** Fredricksson, Jenni, and Annabell Kanabus. "The impact of HIV & AIDS in Africa." __Avert__. 30 July 2008.  "Global AIDS: The Challenge." NetAid. 2007. Mercy Corps. 22 Sept. 2008 . "How Does HIV/AIDS Affect a Country?" Unicef New Zealand. Unicef. 23 Sept. 2008 . Timberg, Craig. "HIV Loosens Tribe's Resistance to Circumcision." __The Washington Post__. 07 Sept. 2007.  **Pictures** Delay, Jerome. __Luo__. 31 Jan. 2008. AP Photo. France-Presse, Agence. Poaching Doctors from Africa: "International Crime" [African nurse caring for sick patient]. Digital image. __Cosmos Magazine__. 23 Sept. 2008 . The Plight of Orphaned Children in Kenya [Orphaned children]. Digital image. Flying Kites Kenya. Flying Kites. 23 Sept. 2008 http://www.flyingkiteskenya.org/images/001_01pl.jpg.