Violent Punishments against Children - Research Paper Example

Violent punishments against children Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Name and Code: University: Date of Submission: Violent Punishments against children Introduction The debate about whether children should be punished violently or not has been going on for decades with people from different cultures and backgrounds having differing opinions. In recent times with issues like globalization playing into fact, the practice of violent punishment against children is becoming a thing of the past with people perpetuating such facing legal action The practice of violent punishment against children has had influence all over the globe with the impact having varying consequences in some countries. There are two main settings that such violence can take place; that is at home by parents and at school by teachers. Children, same as adults, are entitled to their rights and freedom to live dignified lives. They are supposed to enjoy their growth into adult hood and this is why there is a great concern for the children who undergo all forms of violence as they grow up into adulthood. The questions that will guide this research include: Can violence be stopped? What role do parents and teachers play that has made it difficult to stop this practice? Is the society concerned and what efforts should the society play to solve the matter? Violently punishing children is an activity that directly affects the society since the same children are the building blocks of the future society. When children do not do well in school and life owing to going through violent punishment, the society as a whole is affected greatly. This is because, children who get exposed to all forms of violence against them, often end up to live bitter lives and at times may dislike adults; their environments and the school systems and this affects how they will socialize with others. According to IPU and UNESCO, there is no system of belief, even if it is a religious one, or an economic condition or model of education that effectively justifies the hitting, smacking, spanking, abusing, mutilating, humiliating, or any other practice that could potentially violate a child’s dignity (2003, p.34-47). Report Summary In the recent years there has been documentation on the extent of violence against children by parents that are inclusive of the physical, sexual and psychological violence alongside the deliberate neglect of children by their parents. It has been reported that frequently, such children go through the experiences of physical, cruel or humiliating punishment framed in the context of a discipline. Other common forms violence against children include; name-calling, isolation, insults, rejection, threats, and emotional indifference among others; these experiences that such children are exposed to badly damages the well being of these children (UNESCO 2007 p.42-49). Much of the violence that children face at home is often hidden behind closed doors for the children are filled with shame or fear to raise alarm of such practices. Children are also affected psychologically since the family unit is the building block for mental welfare. The children expect care, concern and love from their parents as they grow up. However, this has not been evident in all kinds of families for, reportedly, many families and schools in the past as well as today is involved in violating the rights of children through corporal punishment as well as inflicting pain to children through the parents smacking, hitting, and spanking their children. Notably, the family has been identified unit with the greatest potential of protecting children and to ensure that they are provided for their physical as well as their emotional safety. The existent human rights treaties have recognized the right to a private family life and home making it harder to get accurate statistics. In order to evaluate the magnitude of the problem, various literatures on the subject will be reviewed. Literature Review Punishment against children has been an issue that has attracted the attention of the international community. This is because of its negative impact to the society as a whole. Children’s growth and development is dependent on how they are brought up. The IPU & UNESCO (2003) outline in the handbook ‘A Guide to Parliamentary Practice’, a number of issues about the kind of punishments that children go through. My study of this report revealed that the issue of child punishment can cause devastating impacts to the children (Saunders & Goddard 2010). The report also indicates that extreme punishment is among the major causes of increased stress levels among children; it is also linked to the increased nerve ailments among children today. The study goes further to indicate that excessive punishment to children is viewed by them to be in-depth hatred among them. It is further outlined that this may cause the impairments of children’s social, emotional as well as cognitive growth. These impairments unfortunately unless dealt with in a timely manner; they do affect the child to the adulthood years. The study then outlines that parliaments in different countries ought to set up new laws that would protect the rights of children, for this would minimize such occurrences. Pinheiro &Paulo, S. (2006) in the ‘World Report on Violence against Children’ which studied violence against children, have also raised concerns over the children who suffer through going through violent punishments. The report outlines the need for corporate ownership to avert the risk of violating children’s rights, among parents, teachers and other stakeholders who are in charge of children. They advance that the vice has not been stopped yet due to the lack of good will among the parties concerns. The report further emphasizes on the need to put the child first before other priorities. It is admitted that violent punishment to children is a global issue; however, it needs solutions from the individuals’ households and institutions that raise the children. Addressing the issue from the home point of view will be more effective because the children will grow up being knowledgeable of their rights and less susceptible to mistreatment or violent punishment. In the World Report on Violence against Children it is also indicated that stopping violent punishment to children has not been very successful due to lack of a standardized mode by which children are raised, religious doctrines that are pro to punishing children by the rod, and lack of awareness of the negative impacts of punishing children as evidenced in a number of remote areas (Pinheiro & Paulo, 2006). Sérgio in the ‘World Report on Violence against Children’, adds his voice to the issue of violent punishments to children by outlining other related mental health and social problems that a child may face as a result of being a victim of violence; they include anxiety and depressive related disorders, disturbances in memory, impaired school and domestic work performance, and memory disturbances (2006). He adds that these problems may be quite evident among children who have consistently been victims of violence. In addition, the problems come in a two-way exposure; either the child himself/herself having undergone such practices or a child who sees another child undergoing violent punishments. Research Methods To gather data for this research, various reports and studies from international organizations dealing with children’s rights were evaluated and relevant information was picked out. The data in this report have been collected through two major means. First, collection of data for this report involves my study on a number of documented works and reviews; that includes, ‘World Report on Violence against Children’ by Pinheiro &Paulo, S. (2006). I also found additional information from; Sérgio, P. (2006) in the ‘World Report on Violence against Children’. The final written work, I used for this report was a handbook published by UNESCO titled, ‘A Guide to Parliamentary Practice’. Pinheiro &Paulo, S. (2006), exposed to me an understanding of the need to deal with violence against children using a wholesome approach. In addition, I also gathered information about violence against children’ in school by studying data posted in the UNICEF website about the previous studies on the prevalence. Findings Corporal punishment From the UNESCO archive I was able to get the global view of corporal Punishment and violence against children’ in school. From the information that was posted to the website, I concluded that corporal Punishment and violence against children’ in school is not a regional or local issue but a global concern that should be addressed by all the parties concerned. The experiences of what a number of children have gone through have the potential to kill their potential to be the great people the society looks at. In fact, corporal Punishment and violence against children’ in school has really influenced the attitudes that children grow up with (Paulo & Sérgio, 2005). Statistics vs. actual reality In addition, I found out that violent punishments towards children has been a practice that is widely spread though little can be known about it from the children often due to fear. From the information I read about the extents by which children suffer through violent practices, I found it clear that as many more children may be suffering from this problem as opposed to what has been reported statistically. Often, children are afraid of the consequences of sharing with other significant people the violent experiences they go through (IPU & UNESCO, 2003). They either fear to be sidelined, to be victimized for raising alarm or to protect a public image of those who make them go through this; particularly if it is the parents or teachers. All over the globe, children have gone through bad experiences of violent punishments either in the home setting or even in the school set up. Reportedly, a number of learning institutions still practice violent punishment towards the children. As much as it is a societal vice, quite a number of parents still punish their children in a violent manner. It is noted, that in the developed world, children may know their rights but the problem often arises with their inability to stand for such rites. It evidently came to my attention that violent punishment towards children is not a regional problem as I thought before. It is a global problem that has kept on affecting the children (IPU & UNESCO, 2003). Challenges Another key finding that came to my attention is that violent punishment to children has been a challenge not only to those who advocate against it, but also a challenge to itself. This is because in the settings in which it is practiced, particularly in homes and at times in the school set up; those who practice it would defend the activity claiming it is genuinely for correction when the children error. This makes it tricky to stop such activity for people who practice it often consider it ‘fine’ to them when its practiced along with the intention to correct the child (Pinheiro &Paulo, 2006). I also found out that a number of parents inclined to certain religious belief that call for such punishment as the only source of punishment, often end up treating their children in a similar manner. In fact, such beliefs have significantly contributed to violent punishments to children. Cultural influences that are transmitted are also found to significantly contribute to violence towards children as it is witnessed today. Previous studies on the impacts of education levels and religious backgrounds of their parents to how they treated their children; has revealed that its impact of education was minimal however religious beliefs played a factor. Many scholars acknowledge religious beliefs of parents to be a contributing factor to discipline by the rod (Sérgio, 2006). The final finding I made encompassed the stumbling blocks to the stoppage of the practice. This is because of a related practice such as corporal punishment in some areas has not been illegalized yet. In a number of regions, stopping violent practices and corporal punishment has still not been fully realized. For instance in most of Europe today, the society there is said to tolerate and even approve some of the recurrent forms of violence that is projected against children; particularly those in inflicted in the family setting (Sérgio, 2006). The international community has recognized the children human rights law; which defends that children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence. This violence includes corporal punishment in all settings of school or learning institutions, the home environments, the penal systems, and alternative care centers. The efforts against the increase of corporal punishments and violence against children vary from region to region. For instance in Europe, one third of Council of Europe member states successfully have made corporal punishment an illegal act and a number of other countries have committed themselves to implementation of legal reforms directed towards ensuring that children’s rights are no longer violated. Notably, despite the positive developments with regard to instituting laws against corporal punishments, corporal punishment has remained lawful in a number of countries and is perceived as an acceptable way to discipline children particularly in the home (Sajkowska &Wojtasik, 2004). Discussion Overall approach to this research & issues and significance of the results; Generally, the research studied all the aspects involved in the practice of violently punishing children. There are a numbers of unexpected outcomes that came forth as I carried on my research; Top on the list was the issue of those people who execute violent punishment feigning that they do so for genuine reasons of correcting mistakes (Smith & Anne 2010, p.29-38). This is because there are better ways of correcting children when they do wrong that do not involve violence (IPU & UNESCO, 2003). As a result, I didn’t expect violence to be used in the aspect of correction. Also, there have been laws passed in developed countries to get rid of capital punishment (IPU & UNESCO, 2003). As a result, my expectation was that the rate of violent punishment to children in these countries should be zero. Also, however statistics from places as Europe, reveals that it is still a struggle. The matters of controversy about violent punishment towards children as many; however, on a general scale the main issue of controversy has been which extend of punishment should be considered violent? The issues and the significance of the findings of this report may include: The extent of violent punishments against children in school A number of schools to date still compromise on negative habits such as corporal punishment. The rights of children have been greatly stepped on even with the increased reports of children who have been abused by their teachers or other workers in the school setting. Often, for the case of a child who has attended school; they tend to respect and expect a lot from their teachers; however a number of teachers misuse the opportunity to serve these students well and instead they mistreat the children through violent punishments such as smacking, hitting, spanking among other ways children would be mistreated (Sérgio 2006, p.37-44). Often this kind of violent and harsh treatments exposed to these children is often feigned with genuine punishment for correction. Schools however have been identified to play an important role in children’s protection from violence. In school often children’s rights are violated when the children are exposed to corporal punishment, to the cruel and humiliating psychological punishment, to sexual and to gender-based violence, and bullying. Despite the current trend of 102 countries which have banned corporal punishment in their schools; these bans are often not adequately enforced. For example ‘Fighting and bullying’ which are examples of violence against children in schools, are still witnessed today (Pinheiro &Paulo, 2006). Bullying many a times has an association with discrimination against students who come from poor families or are from marginalized groups, or at times those with particular personal characteristics; for instance, appearance or a disability (Kevin &Leman, 2005). Devastating impact of violence on children Violence that is directed to children comes with consequences that are against children, which vary according to its nature and severity. However, it is clear that both the short as well as the long-term repercussions of violence may be very devastating. It has been revealed that a child’s exposure to violence in their early childhood period may go ahead and affect the maturing of the child’s brain. Additionally, the prolonged exposure of violence in children, either as victims of violence or as witnesses to violence, greatly disrupts their nervous and immune systems; this can further lead to impairments of their social, emotional and cognitive growth (Smith & Anne, 2010). Violence to children in addition can result to the development of health-risk behaviors including substance abuse and early sexual activity among the victims (Save the Children, 2006). There are other related mental health and social problems that may come as a result of being a victim of violence; they include anxiety and depressive related disorders, disturbances in memory, impaired work performance, memory disturbances. In addition, it has been proved that the economic costs of violence against children globally as well as nationally are very high (Human Rights Watch 2008, p.27-36). Conclusion In conclusion, we can say that Corporal Punishment and violence against children in school Is a real issue that is with us that needs to be prohibited by all means for the posterity of the future. It follows that all forms of violence that is being practiced today in all the available settings and contexts must be prohibited. This is inclusive of all forms of corporal especially in schools and households. We can also conclude and say that the efforts to abolish violent punishment among children demands for action from different setups that a child grows up from. For instance, the parents have to be involved, the teachers as well and the legal structures have to be set right so as to punish those involved as a lesson to others so that they can in the future avoid punishing children in such manners. It requires a comprehensive change in the legislation as well as in the creation of new policy measures that will facilitate proper implementation as well as guidance for those who work with children and families that bring up children. List of References Human Rights Watch 2008, A violent education: corporal punishment of children in US public Schools, Human Rights Watch, New York, NY. IPU & UNESCO 2003, A Guide to Parliamentary Practice: A Handbook, IPU and UNESCO, UNESCO, Paris. Karen, K. K 1995, Violent children: a reference handbook Contemporary world issues, ABC-CLIO, London. Paulo & Sérgio, P 2005, United Nations Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime, UNESCO, Geneva. Pinheiro &Paulo, S. (2006). World Report on Violence against Children. Report of the Independent Expert for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children, A/61/299. Retrieved 29 August, 2006, from http://www.unicef.org/violencestudy/reports/SG_violencestudy_en.pdf Sérgio, P 2006, World Report on Violence against Children, Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children, United Nations, Geneva. Sajkowska,Wojtasik, 2004, Protecting children against corporal punishment: awareness-raising Campaigns,council of Europe, London. Saunders, Goddard, 2010, Physical Punishment in Childhood: The Rights of the Child, John Wey and Sons, New York, NY. Smith, A 2010, Global Pathways to Abolishing Physical Punishment: Realizing Childrena (TM) S Rights, Taylor & Francis, London. Save the Children, 2006, The physical and emotional punishment of children in Fiji: a research Report, Save the Children Fiji, Fiji. Sandra, S 2003, Age as an equality issue, Texas: Hart Publishing. UNESCO 2007, United Nations Study on Violence against Children, Paris: UNESCO. Read More

Other common forms violence against children include; name-calling, isolation, insults, rejection, threats, and emotional indifference among others; these experiences that such children are exposed to badly damages the well being of these children (UNESCO 2007 p.42-49). Much of the violence that children face at home is often hidden behind closed doors for the children are filled with shame or fear to raise alarm of such practices. Children are also affected psychologically since the family unit is the building block for mental welfare.

The children expect care, concern and love from their parents as they grow up. However, this has not been evident in all kinds of families for, reportedly, many families and schools in the past as well as today is involved in violating the rights of children through corporal punishment as well as inflicting pain to children through the parents smacking, hitting, and spanking their children. Notably, the family has been identified unit with the greatest potential of protecting children and to ensure that they are provided for their physical as well as their emotional safety.

The existent human rights treaties have recognized the right to a private family life and home making it harder to get accurate statistics. In order to evaluate the magnitude of the problem, various literatures on the subject will be reviewed. Literature Review Punishment against children has been an issue that has attracted the attention of the international community. This is because of its negative impact to the society as a whole. Children’s growth and development is dependent on how they are brought up.

The IPU & UNESCO (2003) outline in the handbook ‘A Guide to Parliamentary Practice’, a number of issues about the kind of punishments that children go through. My study of this report revealed that the issue of child punishment can cause devastating impacts to the children (Saunders & Goddard 2010). The report also indicates that extreme punishment is among the major causes of increased stress levels among children; it is also linked to the increased nerve ailments among children today.

The study goes further to indicate that excessive punishment to children is viewed by them to be in-depth hatred among them. It is further outlined that this may cause the impairments of children’s social, emotional as well as cognitive growth. These impairments unfortunately unless dealt with in a timely manner; they do affect the child to the adulthood years. The study then outlines that parliaments in different countries ought to set up new laws that would protect the rights of children, for this would minimize such occurrences.

Pinheiro &Paulo, S. (2006) in the ‘World Report on Violence against Children’ which studied violence against children, have also raised concerns over the children who suffer through going through violent punishments. The report outlines the need for corporate ownership to avert the risk of violating children’s rights, among parents, teachers and other stakeholders who are in charge of children. They advance that the vice has not been stopped yet due to the lack of good will among the parties concerns.

The report further emphasizes on the need to put the child first before other priorities. It is admitted that violent punishment to children is a global issue; however, it needs solutions from the individuals’ households and institutions that raise the children. Addressing the issue from the home point of view will be more effective because the children will grow up being knowledgeable of their rights and less susceptible to mistreatment or violent punishment. In the World Report on Violence against Children it is also indicated that stopping violent punishment to children has not been very successful due to lack of a standardized mode by which children are raised, religious doctrines that are pro to punishing children by the rod, and lack of awareness of the negative impacts of punishing children as evidenced in a number of remote areas (Pinheiro & Paulo, 2006).

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