Yes, we can raise responsible children
Mar 15, 2011
THE Government banned corporal punishment in schools years ago. However, our children still face derogatory treatment from their superiors as they go about their studies.
By Joshua Tusingwiire
THE Government banned corporal punishment in schools years ago. However, our children still face derogatory treatment from their superiors as they go about their studies.
It is important to note that this kind of treatment is not only found at school, but also at home. It includes verbal abuse, scolding, pinching, and sometimes caning.
This form of treatment affects a child’s development and self-esteem, and instills fear in them, hindering performance. The more we subject our children to this kind of environment, the more likely we are to raise individuals who cannot firmly stand for the values they believe in.
What kind of environment does a child need to become a good citizen?
If a child feels rejected, resented, or disrespected by an adult, chances are that they will start to act negatively towards the adult. On the other hand, it is easy to get the best out of a child when they are shown respect, gentleness, love and support.
If we want to raise solid citizens, we must first appeal to the emotions of the child using the above elements, and not try to force them to do what we feel they should do.
Intellectual/academic content alone is not enough to raise responsible citizens, for this alone appeals to the intellectual part. Man is bigger than just the intellect. Therefore, if we desire to raise responsible leaders, we must go beyond meeting the basic physical needs of a child and address their emotional needs as well, which are key in discovering a child’s full potential. It is within such an environment that the child will be allowed to freely venture into the available career choices.
In Uganda unfortunately, our education system still limits children/students to mostly traditional, mainstream career paths (law, medicine, engineering, social sciences, etc). This should not be the case. Rather, children should be provided right from childhood with opportunities, experiences and learning mechanisms that expose them to the endless career paths that they can explore. This is not only practical, but it also provides a chance for the child to discover their natural gifts that they can use not only to make a living, but to live up to their full potential.
If these children do not find this kind of environment at school, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that they provide their children with various career options that match their natural abilities and talent. They should also be ready to mentor, coach and guide the same child to finally zero down onto what they will be comfortable and happy spending the rest of their life doing. This should be done with love, gentleness and respect. This, I believe, is the kind of environment that will facilitate the growth and development of responsible citizens.
Child and youth
development worker
joshuatusk@gmail.com
THE Government banned corporal punishment in schools years ago. However, our children still face derogatory treatment from their superiors as they go about their studies.
It is important to note that this kind of treatment is not only found at school, but also at home. It includes verbal abuse, scolding, pinching, and sometimes caning.
This form of treatment affects a child’s development and self-esteem, and instills fear in them, hindering performance. The more we subject our children to this kind of environment, the more likely we are to raise individuals who cannot firmly stand for the values they believe in.
What kind of environment does a child need to become a good citizen?
If a child feels rejected, resented, or disrespected by an adult, chances are that they will start to act negatively towards the adult. On the other hand, it is easy to get the best out of a child when they are shown respect, gentleness, love and support.
If we want to raise solid citizens, we must first appeal to the emotions of the child using the above elements, and not try to force them to do what we feel they should do.
Intellectual/academic content alone is not enough to raise responsible citizens, for this alone appeals to the intellectual part. Man is bigger than just the intellect. Therefore, if we desire to raise responsible leaders, we must go beyond meeting the basic physical needs of a child and address their emotional needs as well, which are key in discovering a child’s full potential. It is within such an environment that the child will be allowed to freely venture into the available career choices.
In Uganda unfortunately, our education system still limits children/students to mostly traditional, mainstream career paths (law, medicine, engineering, social sciences, etc). This should not be the case. Rather, children should be provided right from childhood with opportunities, experiences and learning mechanisms that expose them to the endless career paths that they can explore. This is not only practical, but it also provides a chance for the child to discover their natural gifts that they can use not only to make a living, but to live up to their full potential.
If these children do not find this kind of environment at school, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that they provide their children with various career options that match their natural abilities and talent. They should also be ready to mentor, coach and guide the same child to finally zero down onto what they will be comfortable and happy spending the rest of their life doing. This should be done with love, gentleness and respect. This, I believe, is the kind of environment that will facilitate the growth and development of responsible citizens.
Child and youth
development worker
joshuatusk@gmail.com