LET THEM BE HEARD
Sambalpur : Twelve year old Sanjukta (name changed) was a intelligent students and a good singer. But a tour with his uncle changed her life and now she is recuperating from behavioural disorder. Children across the nation seem to be at the cross road. From submissive little chaps to being aggressive and demanding, children have finally caught the attention of society and Behaviourists through out the globe. Haunted by paedophilia, lack of socialization, impact of television and modernization, they have turned been displaying behavioural change which needs to be contained to ensure that they do not end up as aggressive and destructive adults.
Child sexual abuse occurs in three ways typically: incestuous abuse (i.e. by family members of victims), sexual abuse by strangers, and child prostitution. But families often chooses to 'resolve' the issue privately even as the incident might leave a traumatic experience resulting in long-term psychological effects. The victim develops an inner sense of guilt and depression, which may have long-lasting effects on her personality development. To add to the woes the laws dealing with sexual offences do not specifically address child sexual abuse.
Apart from this lack of socialization opportunity and failure of parents to spend time with their children and understand them has led modern day children react badly to situations and parents. What causes aggression? It can be biological or could be triggered by environmental factors. Like verbal or physical abuse of children by a parent, teacher, or peer and the exposure of children to violence. It's the way the world is going: increased consumerism, the breakdown of family, the unbearable pressure of competition and the impact of the media.
Moreover, with parents imposing upon their views upon the children and refusing to hear them hurting their self-esteem children end up getting aggressive and it is carried till their adulthood, said Dr. Chapala Mishra, Headof Department of Psychology, G M College here. The whole world of children -- from toddlers to teens -- can go off its axis with the tiniest of nudges, she added. Dr. Mishra also stressed on gender role and said that children whether it is a girl child or a boy child should be allowed to grow freely and behaviour should not be typified for girl child. Citing recent studies by Behaviourists, she informed that encouragment and reward has been found to be more effective than punishment among children.
Another disturbing trend has been sexualisation of children’s attire which is making them grow up before time. Decades back fashion entered life around the same time as pimples. But today pink dress and navy blue pants have been replaced by Spaghetti straps, mini skirts and in its process has taken the innocence out of kids’ clothing. Study conducted by VIMHANS suggest that children between age group of 10-13 are in overdrive and by the age 14 or 15 this generation has already started experimenting with sex or at least has clear idea about sexuality.
Today there's less parenting and more pampering. Earlier, there was less pressure on parents to talk and explain things Children now are becoming inquisitive and parents need to give them more time. It becomes worse when progressive parents want to be "friends" with their children but suddenly revert to being parents when they find their authority is in question. So next time you interact with your child let them be heard. To quote the Chilean Poet, Gabriel Mistral: " We are guilty of many errors and many faults but our worst crime is abandoning our children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot."
Sambalpur : Twelve year old Sanjukta (name changed) was a intelligent students and a good singer. But a tour with his uncle changed her life and now she is recuperating from behavioural disorder. Children across the nation seem to be at the cross road. From submissive little chaps to being aggressive and demanding, children have finally caught the attention of society and Behaviourists through out the globe. Haunted by paedophilia, lack of socialization, impact of television and modernization, they have turned been displaying behavioural change which needs to be contained to ensure that they do not end up as aggressive and destructive adults.
Child sexual abuse occurs in three ways typically: incestuous abuse (i.e. by family members of victims), sexual abuse by strangers, and child prostitution. But families often chooses to 'resolve' the issue privately even as the incident might leave a traumatic experience resulting in long-term psychological effects. The victim develops an inner sense of guilt and depression, which may have long-lasting effects on her personality development. To add to the woes the laws dealing with sexual offences do not specifically address child sexual abuse.
Apart from this lack of socialization opportunity and failure of parents to spend time with their children and understand them has led modern day children react badly to situations and parents. What causes aggression? It can be biological or could be triggered by environmental factors. Like verbal or physical abuse of children by a parent, teacher, or peer and the exposure of children to violence. It's the way the world is going: increased consumerism, the breakdown of family, the unbearable pressure of competition and the impact of the media.
Moreover, with parents imposing upon their views upon the children and refusing to hear them hurting their self-esteem children end up getting aggressive and it is carried till their adulthood, said Dr. Chapala Mishra, Headof Department of Psychology, G M College here. The whole world of children -- from toddlers to teens -- can go off its axis with the tiniest of nudges, she added. Dr. Mishra also stressed on gender role and said that children whether it is a girl child or a boy child should be allowed to grow freely and behaviour should not be typified for girl child. Citing recent studies by Behaviourists, she informed that encouragment and reward has been found to be more effective than punishment among children.
Another disturbing trend has been sexualisation of children’s attire which is making them grow up before time. Decades back fashion entered life around the same time as pimples. But today pink dress and navy blue pants have been replaced by Spaghetti straps, mini skirts and in its process has taken the innocence out of kids’ clothing. Study conducted by VIMHANS suggest that children between age group of 10-13 are in overdrive and by the age 14 or 15 this generation has already started experimenting with sex or at least has clear idea about sexuality.
Today there's less parenting and more pampering. Earlier, there was less pressure on parents to talk and explain things Children now are becoming inquisitive and parents need to give them more time. It becomes worse when progressive parents want to be "friends" with their children but suddenly revert to being parents when they find their authority is in question. So next time you interact with your child let them be heard. To quote the Chilean Poet, Gabriel Mistral: " We are guilty of many errors and many faults but our worst crime is abandoning our children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot."
posted by Ratan K Pani at
1:32 AM
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