Investigating the Effects of September 11 On the Nation.
The terrorist attacks of September 11 have had a massive effect on the United States. These attacks affected everyone and everything; adults, children, government, the economy and transportation. The effects have been both physical and psychological putting stress on the entire nation.
September 11 has been called "the Pearl Harbor of the 21st century" and that day will leave a lasting impression on anyone old enough to remember it. The people of the United States are forever changed by these events. The attacks have brought on feelings of hatred, fear, revenge, and worry, but these feelings have been accompanied by greater feelings of love, unity, strength and pride (Fraenkel 21). The feelings of hatred and fear have combined and left some people with Xenophobia, the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners or of what is strange or foreign (Merriam Webster Dictionary). The Xenophobia resulting from September 11 is aimed at Muslims and their faith or at all Middle Eastern people. The people of the U.S. are also demanding revenge and reparations for the attacks. These demands have resulted in President Bush declaring an "all out war on terrorism."(Bush's speech). One of the major and probably the most common effect of the attacks is the lasting fear of further attacks and the worry for friends, family and the nation's safety. This is the main cause for many of the other problems with the government, transportation and the economy that will be discussed later in this paper.
Just as the terrorist attacks have affected the adults of the nation many children have too been greatly affected. Young children may not understand the significance of the disaster but they draw many of their feelings and thoughts from the attitudes and actions of adults around them (Psychology Today 35). While most children will not have lasting effects from the disaster some of those closer to New York and the attacks or those related to people involved with the disaster have shown signs of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).