Biography
Jad Simoune Abella was born on December 9th 1995 in Davao Doctors Hospital in Davao City, the capital city in the Mindanao region of the archipelagic country of the Philippines. Jad was the second and youngest child of Ronald Alan Olarte Abella and Jenny Tepoot Cabañero. Her maternal grandparents were of a traditionally stern and business-minded Chinese background whilst her paternal grandparents were also of an equally stern aristocratic Spanish background. With these in mind, it has always baffled her as to how is it that even though both of her parents grew up in an environment of such high expectations they’ve only come about to little or no achievement and have opted to live a life of relaxed stability with no intellectual or professional progress.
When Abella was 6 years of age she, her mother and older brother moved to General Santos City to be closer to her paternal grandmother while her father went to Portugal to “find himself”. Within the duration her residence in General Santos City she attended Notre Dame and then Hope Christian School. Abella was a precocious child, having had an interest in psychology since the second grade when she found out that her favourite character, Harley Quinn from her favourite cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series was actually a psychiatrist before pursuing a villainous career of crime. When she was 8 years old her family with her father having returned from South America moved back to Davao City. For fourth grade she attended Ateneo De Davao University but in that year failed to pass math, she was given an option to either attend summer school or transfer to an easier more relaxed institution of education, she picked the latter and from fifth grade until her senior year of high school she attended The University of the Immaculate Concepcion.
Her years of higher education were particularly problematic having gone through three schools, three majors and taking 10 years to finish but finally graduated in 2022 majoring in Psychology. Within those 10 years she met her first love, first boyfriend, and eventual first husband, Kenneth Choi Ong. Even though she has had her share of flings in the past her relationship with Kenneth was what she considered to be her first real relationship and first boyfriend. She had met him through a mutual friend. Kenneth was the fifth of seven siblings. To her, she was not only the ideal partner but was also the ideal best friend, one that she could trust and depend on for the rest of her life.
Upon graduating college, Abella went on to medical school in the hopes of becoming a general surgeon but after her fourth year and finally marrying her long term boyfriend and also finally getting her license to practice, she never went on to a residency or a fellowship. Because of her natural talent and creativity particularly in creative direction she was offered the position of public relations director for the luxury brand Tom Ford. This new career opportunity prompted her and her husband Kenneth to relocate to Manhattan to be closer to the Tom Ford offices in Madison Avenue. During her first year in New York City she had her twin children, Morgan Hawthorne and Etrigan Redgrave. Her husband was often away on business having rooted his tech company and expanding in Asia. Eventually his company expanded enough and made its way into the US market, this prompted her husband to set up a base of operations in Manhattan to be closer to his wife and children. From that point on Abella’s life was one that was of stable bliss, her children went on to become accomplished in their own right, Morgan became a novelist having written acclaimed gothic novels that were eventually made into Oscar-nominated films. Her son Etrigan, became the CEO of the family tech company and has turned it into the most recognizable household brand having expanded from search engine and software to communication devices, auto vehicles, pharmaceuticals, robotics, aero spacecraft engineering and biotech. Currently, at the age of 80, Abella and her husband are enjoying a life of leisurely retirement in a picturesque suburban district surrounded by fall leaves in the city of Salem, Massachusetts.
Developmental Psychology
Having had completed this course I found it to be quite instructive and illuminating, having learned about the stages in cognitive, physical and social developments one often goes through throughout their life it has been most helpful in seeing how and why people are the way they are and what made them so.
Prenatal
Summary:
Prenatal development is the process that occurs during the 40 weeks before the birth of a child. During each prenatal stage environmental factors affect the development of the fetus. The developing fetus is completely dependent on the mother for life, and it is important that the mother receives prenatal care, which is medical care during pregnancy that monitors the health of both the mother and the fetus. Any form of prenatal stress felt by the mother can have negative effects on various aspects of fetal development, and can cause harm to both mother and child. When a mother is under stress, physiological changes occur in the body that could harm the developing fetus.
Reflection:
It is to my understanding that this first stage of lifespan development is a time in which the focus of care is not only directed to the unborn child but also to its mother as well. They are both equally important if not more as some would argue in the latter’s case. It is also important for the mother to avoid harmful substances that may impede or harm the child’s development such as teratogens. I dare say that it is very much tasked upon the bearer of the child to be most certain that having a child is their heart’s deepest desire if not it would be very unfortunate for both parties as it might result in a negative outcome of the most epic proportions. Conceiving an infant isn’t just about having the ability to do so but also the desire and willingness to do it to the best of one’s ability.
Infancy
Summary:
“Infant” comes from two latin words in- ‘not’ + fant- ‘speaking’ which means “one who is unable to speak.” Infancy is the earliest stage of life outside of the womb and is viewed as the most important formative period of development. During this stage, infants are dependent on their caregivers for all their needs. Young infants spend most of their time sleeping and when awake are occupied with bodily sensations and sensory experiences. As they age, infants become more interested in exploring the objects in their environment and establishing relationships with the significant people in their world. Impressive brain growth and plasticity takes place during the first 2 years of life.
Reflection:
Having learned about this stage I can aptly assert that infancy is one of the most pivotal and crucial stages in lifespan development, children during this stage are ought to be given the utmost care and are to be handled with regard for their future progression. Temperament can also be observed in this stage which can be an indicator of what the infant might be like as they age. Ive also gathered that establishing a secure attachment and being readily available for a child when they require your presence is imperative and non-negotiable as developing any of the non-secure attachments might have negative consequences later on in life. It is incumbent upon the parentage of individuals in this stage to hold the care for their child with the highest regard as to not inflict irreparable and irreversible damage.
Early Childhood
Summary:
In this phase there is ample synaptic growth and myelination in the brain. The growth of the brain is followed by a rise in cognitive abilities. At the age of five, children start speaking properly and master their hand to eye coordination. The child can’t yet manage abstract thinking operations. The child has to be able to see what is being talked about, because they do not understand the concepts of logic, betrayal, contemplation, etc. The emotional development includes expressions, attachment and personality. Children manifest fear of the dark and imaginary monsters and around the age of three they notice whether they are a boy or a girl and start acting that way.
Reflection:
I may not be inclined to have a full picture of concrete memories during this stage but I am however able to recall a sliver or two of memory fragments. Vague recollections of early childhood splendor that is full of whimsy and wonderment. The sensation of what it was like to be in this stage seems like such a luxury compared to the existential dread of the current stage to which I reside. I am very much grateful though, that looking back on this stage with what little memory of it I have all I can recall is jubilant and joyous memories, I believe that it is important and highly beneficial to have children in this stage experience only positive experiences that are of the highest regard as to not impede or deter proper development as a well adjusted human being.
Middle Childhood
Summary:
Children are assumed to develop new capabilities at this stage and are assigned roles and responsibilities in their families and communities. Middle childhood has also been differentiated from adolescence cross-culturally, largely by the onset of puberty. The thoughts of children ages 6-12 are more fully logical and more systematic. By the end of middle childhood, greater self-regulation and the consolidation of problem-solving skills allow children to extend their abilities to tasks requiring flexible, abstract thinking, and the maintenance of close relationships.
Reflection:
Looking back having had a more vivid picture of this stage, in retrospect I could see that the effects of the permissive parenting style my parents employed on me during my early childhood years have taken its toll on my motivation as it slowly incorporated itself onto my personality, I started to be less than inclined to excel in school as one ought to be. I seemed to have started losing direction in the one or two years after entering middle childhood. If there is any advice I would give to any parent with a child going through this face it is that you have to encourage them to achieve and pursue different hobbies, talents, skills and interests. As I too did want to do all those things but had no one to push me to do so, a lack of encouragement could easily dim any light no matter how bright it may shine. I truly felt that my precociousness and intelligence were tremendously wasted by a lack of direction and encouragement from such permissive parenting.
Adolescence
Summary:
Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. It includes many physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. Puberty is a period of rapid physical growth and sexual maturation that occurs during adolescence. These changes begin somewhere between ages 8 and 14. These changes take around 3 to 4 years for completion. Adolescents experience an overall physical growth spurt. The brain also undergoes dramatic change during adolescence. The prefrontal cortex, located behind the forehead, is a part of the brain that helps with judgment, planning, and strategizing. This grows in early adolescence. Adolescents will begin to form many different types of relationships, and many of their relationships will become more involved and more intimate.
Reflection:
Most people blithely regard adolescence as an extremely volatile time emotionally in one’s life. Having gone through it myself I can indubitably concur to the truthfulness of this regard. A tremendous amount of self consciousness in regards to one’s own physical appearance is one of the things I underwent during this trying stage. Although I do not feel it’s appropriate to label what I experienced as an “eating disorder” I can vividly recall that this stage was when I started having my tumultuous relationship with food and somewhat a contorted view on my physical appearance which I still experience to this day.
Early Adulthood
Summary:
Early adulthood is a time period in an individual’s life that is characterized by both external and internal changes. Externally, secondary schooling ends and early adults make the decision whether they want to continue into postsecondary education, join the workforce, or do something else entirely. Environments change, often multiple times, as these early adults move out of their parents’ homes and into dorms, apartments, or other living situations with friends, significant others, spouses, or strangers. It is also a period of heightened vulnerability to mental disorders. Young adults are also able to assimilate and synthesize complex and contradictory situations and arguments, and unlike adolescents, aren’t set on finding absolute truths.
Reflection:
In this stage I feel it is very beneficial to put an emphasis on the importance of intimacy and having someone to share these intimacies with. Perhaps it is my own proclivities and inclinations that have persuaded me to come up with these outwardly imposing sentiments but there is something to be said in regard to the sense of security one experiences if one has a significant other during this stage of life. As this stage is where it is imperative to familiarize one’s self with a career path not necessarily needing an end but just to have a clear path or plan is something that a majority of early adults go through and sometimes have difficulty with that is why I urge the young adult to be privy of the luxuries one is privileged to when one has a significant other or committed partner during this trying period.
Middle Adulthood
Summary:
For those in middle adulthood visible signs are apparent, such as gray and thinning hair, wrinkles, the need for reading and bifocal eyeglasses, and some hearing loss. Internally, changes are taking place as well, with some decline in the major organs, including the lungs, heart and digestive system; additionally women undergo menopause Secondary aging however, is the result of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, drug use, unhealthy eating, alcohol abuse, obesity and lack of exercise. The phenomenon of going through a mid-life crisis also occurs in this stage although researchers have argued the existence of this so called crisis it is undeniable that most middle aged adults have experience a form or type of mid-life crisis one way or another.
Reflection:
Learning about middle adulthood has been most illuminating mostly in part to how it has taught me to be more wary of my parents’ predicament as they are currently are going through this stage in their lives, it is also apparent how the health habits one has opted or not opted for has begun to start taking its toll on the middle aged adults physical body, in this stage there should be an emphasis on the preparedness one has had in preparing for old age and how the positive effects manifest in middle age. I also feel it’s also imperative for middle aged adults of the female persuasion to be well aware of the coming despair in experiencing one of the most difficult transitions in their existence that takes its form in menopause.
Late Adulthood
Summary:
Erik Erikson suggests that at this time it is important to find meaning and satisfaction in life rather than to become bitter and disillusioned, that is, to resolve the conflict of integrity vs. despair. Physical changes begin to demonstrate the deterioration of a person and its bodily functions. Mental changes begin to occur as soon as the person proceeds towards his culmination of life span. The concept of death is deeply connected with late adulthood as it culminates the life span of an adult. Compared to past centuries, people have acquired a greater life span in recent years thanks to the treatments and diagnosis they receive on time for their certain illnesses.
Reflection:
This stage is one that is quite fascinating and somewhat admirable; as it is a sort of paradise of comfortable complacency for people nearing their end. With just even barely stepping into this stage one must fully come to terms with the inevitably of death and one’s own mortality. It is also vital to stress the importance of the solace these late adults take in their partners or significant others as to soften the blow of what disillusionment they may have the unfortunate chance of encountering. Having such a companion in these times is vital in prolonging the death that lurks just around the corner though not really able to prevent it; it is more regarded as a cushion to the blow.