Scary Truth: What’s Hurting Our Children?

Little ones are very sensitive. Simply loving them, supporting them, and listening to them without passing judgment is all they ask of their parents. A child can feel safe and accepted for who they are in this supportive environment, which will lead to their overall emotional well-being and self-confidence. Additionally, it will foster a strong parent-child bond built on trust and understanding. 

Even in the 21st century, Pakistan ignores the emotional counselling of children despite global progress in recognising and addressing youth mental health, as youth's success relies on their mental well-being. Consequently, Pakistan has been left behind in the march of civilization. Children spend the majority of their time with their parents, so how their parents interact with them has a direct impact on their psychological well-being. 

These days, a lot of parents still see smacking as an acceptable form of punishment. As a result, this creates an environment in which the child feels unvalued and scared to make mistakes. The United States examined over 50 years of research involving over 160,000 children and concluded that smacking children causes more harm than good The researchers found smacking often "does the opposite" of what parents want and rarely results in increased immediate compliance by children. It was also shown that children who are smacked are more likely to exhibit higher levels of aggression and mental health problems as they grow up. The study appears in the Journal of Family Psychology.

Pakistani parents often resort to hitting children for not achieving desired grades, causing them to feel guilty and ashamed. This undermines their self-confidence, hindering their ability to interact with family and friends. Instead, parents should focus on identifying hidden talents and directing them towards related fields. They should be patient, supportive, and patient with their children's grades, as grades do not define their potential for achieving goals. For example, Jon Snow, a successful TV journalist in the UK, struggled academically, failing English subjects at A level. However, he remained smart and turned his talent into a profession, showcasing that success doesn't always come from hard work and good grades.

Parents should avoid comparing their children to others, as great achievements require time. Instead, provide space and support for children to develop their unique talents and abilities, regardless of academic performance or societal expectations. Form a friendly bond with children, encourage open communication, and teach them to live an exemplary life. Encourage acceptance

In second place, corporal punishment at schools, which is seen as an effective way to discipline a student in educational settings, leads to detrimental effects such as increased aggression, Hatred , resentment, and an overall disregard for authority. Interactions between teachers and students have an indirect effect on a child's mental health. If a teacher mistreats a student by punishing him for something that he did not understand but that other students did, it is not the student's fault; rather, it is the teacher's fault because he or she was unable to adequately explain the concept. The result may be that the student feels helpless, uneasy, and unworthy, but Pakistan's educational system allows teachers to physically discipline students who do not turn in their homework. This practice of corporal punishment needs to be eliminated and replaced with positive reinforcement, as this can result in healthier, more loving learning environments for students, improved academic achievement, improved social behavior, and an overall sense of security for students. Teachers should use more positive reinforcement strategies, such as rewards and recognition for good academic performance, making learning fun, and providing students with constructive feedback, rather than focusing solely on punishment and discouragement. The Pakistani government should set up a helpline for youth and adults of all ages to call and report instances of physical or emotional abuse in the classroom, and every school should have a counsellor who can counsel that child in order for him or her to become emotionally and mentally stable. Moreover, teachers should be properly trained in using different kinds of classroom management strategies and appropriate methods of dealing with student behavior.

All adults must understand that children have rights and that we cannot publicly insult them because they are naughty and outgoing. The more you restrict them, the more they will rebel against you, but the friendlier you are, the less they rebel, so understand your kids and give them space to live their lives.