Sustainable awareness programs and educational initiatives, and protection mechanisms can only be achieved if awareness reaches the level of decision-makers. Child maltreatment prevention and protection, including family violence, is an important element of this.
In addition, intimate partner violence and infidelity are linked to childhood trauma, and addressing these areas can mitigate its effects. It is similar to the startup of gender-based violence awareness; it was deeply embedded in the culture, and people thought it was just normal. Many perpetrators of violence do not even feel any guilt or shame.
Recently, I watched a few videos of extreme cases of family violence and sexual abuse. These experiences make us realize how fortunate we are not to have grown up in such situations. However, there are seemingly normal things in the community affecting children's mental health. I had friends whose fathers were alcoholics and violent. No one would intervene in family affairs, which is a common issue in our community.
I have cousins whose parents fought a lot during their childhood and later separated, even though they lived in the same house. Later, I had a friend who faced a similar situation. Although it is not as obvious as in some neighboring countries, we also have the problem of preferring male children, especially for the firstborn. In addition, there is a high stigma associated with being a Saturday-born first child, and parents believe they will bring bad luck to the family. This belief is not publicly expressed but is deeply embedded, and child maltreatment often stems from these belief systems.
If you wish your child were not born a girl or on a Saturday, or secretly worry they will bring bad luck to you and your home, you cannot value your child or want to take care of their needs. When a child witnesses intimate partner violence, infidelity, or sexual abuse by a parent toward someone close to them, it becomes impossible for the child to cope. "Is everything because of me?" is the question a child asks in these situations, even though it has nothing to do with them.
In the movie The Reader, I remember the daughter of the main character saying she thought her father's behaviors were because of her near the end. Her father had his own problems, but as a child, she seemed to think it was because of her.
These are the thoughts that came into my mind early this morning.
In addition, intimate partner violence and infidelity are linked to childhood trauma, and addressing these areas can mitigate its effects. It is similar to the startup of gender-based violence awareness; it was deeply embedded in the culture, and people thought it was just normal. Many perpetrators of violence do not even feel any guilt or shame.
Recently, I watched a few videos of extreme cases of family violence and sexual abuse. These experiences make us realize how fortunate we are not to have grown up in such situations. However, there are seemingly normal things in the community affecting children's mental health. I had friends whose fathers were alcoholics and violent. No one would intervene in family affairs, which is a common issue in our community.
I have cousins whose parents fought a lot during their childhood and later separated, even though they lived in the same house. Later, I had a friend who faced a similar situation. Although it is not as obvious as in some neighboring countries, we also have the problem of preferring male children, especially for the firstborn. In addition, there is a high stigma associated with being a Saturday-born first child, and parents believe they will bring bad luck to the family. This belief is not publicly expressed but is deeply embedded, and child maltreatment often stems from these belief systems.
If you wish your child were not born a girl or on a Saturday, or secretly worry they will bring bad luck to you and your home, you cannot value your child or want to take care of their needs. When a child witnesses intimate partner violence, infidelity, or sexual abuse by a parent toward someone close to them, it becomes impossible for the child to cope. "Is everything because of me?" is the question a child asks in these situations, even though it has nothing to do with them.
In the movie The Reader, I remember the daughter of the main character saying she thought her father's behaviors were because of her near the end. Her father had his own problems, but as a child, she seemed to think it was because of her.
These are the thoughts that came into my mind early this morning.
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