Analyzing Alfie Kohn's 'The Hermansons'

Frisca Saputro
Intermediate C
Anrisa Fannin October 13th, 2009
The Hermansons

Alfie Kohn, an American author and lecturer who has explored a number of topics in education, parenting, and human behavior, says, “Children, after all, are not just adults-in-the-making. They are people whose current needs and rights and experiences must be taken seriously.” That means needs and rights of children are big deals and we need to fight for them. However, it did not happen with Amy Hermansons, a girl whose parents are Christian Scientists. Her right to live was not fought by her parents. Although her parents knew she was diabetic, the Hermansons did not bring her to the doctor because they believed that by just praying, they could cure Amy. In
They did not take care of Amy. Although they knew Amy did not feel good, they left Amy alone while they went to Indiana. They just prayed to cure Amy. As parents, they should have tried all ways to safe Amy’s life. For example, when I feel ill, my parents always do their best for me. They always ask me what I feel. They give me some vitamins or medicines and pray for me. Besides that, they always stay with me when I on sick. However, in Amy’s case, her parents left her alone in Indiana. That means her parents did not care about her. Furthermore when my parents hear from someone that I do not look so good, they will ask me and take care of me. However, in this case, although Amy’s teacher told Mrs. Hermansons to take care of Amy, she refused. They should have taken care of her, because every child has a right to get protection and care and every country has this law. By neglecting their child, they broke the children protection
Her parents did not give her a medical treatment and it caused her death. Every child has a right to get medical treatments. For example, one year ago, I felt sick. I got a Thrombocytopenia, a reduction in the number of cells platelets (thrombocytes) in my blood because mosquito’s bite, and my body temperature was 40.5 degrees Celsius. I could not feel anything. Although my parents prayed for me, they also brought me to the hospital and I had to stay about five days. That means I got medical treatment and it was useful to me. I believe that I could be safe because my parents did not only pray, but they also tried to cure me by bringing me to hospital. It is same with Amy’s case. If they had brought Amy to the doctor, Amy might be safe. Because her parents did not bring her to doctor and they did not give her any medicine until she died, they broke the law of medical treatments and they should have been