ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on early studies as a starting point. Adults like to see childhood as an idyllic time, filled with joy and innocence. Life brings changes to every child and many of these changes involve loss. The most profound loss a child must face is the death of someone they love. One of the greatest differences among cultures involves funeral rituals. Native American traditions differ in their practice regarding their children and their involvement with, or isolation from, rituals connected to dying and death. The chapter explores six basic coping styles: accepting, defying, facilitating, submitting, altruistic, and optimistic. The acceptor is like a living version of the serenity prayer. Facilitators have such a strong need to feel in control that they may, consciously or unconsciously, bring about the very result they most fear. Altruistic individuals sacrifice personal issues to work for the greater good. Submitters believe that they are helpless.
