As we explore the many issues that this book deals with, we learn a lot about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, as well as Alcoholism in general. In The Broken Cord, we see how the alcoholism of Adam’s mother left a life long impact on his life, as well as the people in his life. It was described “alcohol abuse is the most severe and widespread health problem among Indians today,” (86). Also according to the text we learned, that in 1975 nearly fifty-percent of Indians had immediate family problems relating to alcohol and among Indians, the alcohol related death rate was six and one-half times that of the national rate, (87). It was explained in the book that the reason for such problems stems from the diversion of the idea of “poverty, unemployment, divorce, guilt, or even the death of a family member. Alcoholism was a “curse” in Adam’s situation. With his mother’s negligence during the pregnancy Adam will no longer live the life he was born to live. He was given another chance to grow into a loving family, but with his disability he is permanently categorized by society. He will always be regarded as “LD” (70), learning disabled because of his mothers’ carelessness during pregnancy. Alcoholism is a problem all throughout the world, yet most prominent in Native American culture. Alcoholism, being a genetic disease, stems through families with all different cultural backgrounds and can lead to repeat routines in the future. It not only has severe repercussions during pregnancy such as mental retardation and slow development, but also impacts the lives of family and friends. It can lead to abuse and disregard of the people in ones life. In Adam’s instance, he was removed from the household because of something as tragic as the death of his parents. “But by then it was too late. After he was born, the damage had been done,”(192). Adam now has a probable future of “mental retardation and learning problems, not jut alcohol consumption.” He is left with only a memory of his parents being his troubles acquired through their addiction.

The Broken Cord, is a powerful book that looks in depth into the love of a father for his challenged son. This book allows its readers to have a better understanding of what terrible damage Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has on i

Some topics in this essay:
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