I chose to talk about violence in the home and its affects on children. My best friend throughout middle and high school is a product of a violent home. She had authoritarian parents who were not only mentally abusive but physical as well. I used to feel so bad for her because she could never go anywhere with the rest of her friends and she along with her siblings were spanked or "whipped" as we from the south say, on a constant basis. This abuse caused her to be afraid of a lot of things such as speaking in public or having a decent conversation. It was as if she could not make decisions for herself and she was very angry although she was good at covering it up. It was not until her adult years and she had children of her own that she realized she was angry and was following in the same pattern as her parents were to her. I admire her because she realized this early on and decided to become a person who was not angry. Her children are very sweet and well-rounded individuals.
Each child has the right to be protected from violence, exploitation, and abuse. With this being said, millions of children all over the world, from all socio-economic backgrounds, from all ages, religions, and cultures suffer from violence, exploitation, and abuse on a daily basis (Unicef, 2013).
Some young boys and girls are particularly vulnerable because of gender, race, ethnic origin, or socio-economic status. These levels rise when the children are disabled, orphans, indigenous, from ethnic minorities, or other marginalized groups (Unicef, 2013). Other children who are at risk are those living and working on the streets, in institutions and detentions, and live where inequality, unemployment, and poverty are highly concentrated (Unicef, 2013). Other populations of concern are migrants that are unaccompanied and child refugees.
Most of the time, violence, exploitation, and abuse are someone that the child knows including parents and other members of the person's family (Unicef, 2013). Others include teachers, caretakers, employers, law enforcement authorities, state and non-state actors and other children. The sad thing is that only a few of these people are held accountable for their actions.
There is a significant amount of evidence showing that violence, exploitation, and abuse can affect the child's physical and mental health in the short and long term by impairing their ability to learn and socialize. This can also have an adverse affect on adults later in life (Unicef, 2013).
Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteThough violence is said to be prevalent in low-income families, we know that it does not matter what you socioeconomic background is for someone to be a victim of violence. When I think about your statement, only a few people are held accountable for their actions, I think about the recent sentencing of the Cleveland man who was given the chance to plea bargain so he would not have to be put to death. While I’m not an advocate of the death penalty, I do not think he should have had an option to choose. His victims didn’t. They didn’t choose to be kidnapped and abused by him.
Violence is a terrible thing and it affects everyone involved.
Cheryl, I know this all too well as this was the home I grew up in too. While stress is commonplace, it should never be taken out on a child. And I think the verbal abuse is the worst - the effect it has on a child's confidence and skills in life are tragic. I am fortunate as well that I realized the abuse and was determined to break the cycle. Thank you for sharing this story. I think the more it is talked about, the more awareness there is and maybe a parent who is not aware of the verbal abuse they may be giving will realize so.
ReplyDelete