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Unveiling the Dark Side of Childhood |
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Childhood, a period meant for play and joy, is hailed as the finest phase in
one's life. However, numerous children are unjustly robbed of this precious
time and subjected to torment, enduring both verbal and physical abuse.
There exists no rationalization or pardon for the despicable act of child
abuse. Perpetrators attempt to justify their actions by blaming the stress
of their work. Housewives who engage in child abuse claim to be overwhelmed
by the ceaseless cries of their children, unable to control their own rage,
particularly when deprived of any form of support. This lack of assistance
is hardly surprising, as society is more inclined to aid the victims of
child abuse than to extend a helping hand to the abusers. On certain
occasions, parents, consumed by their own conflicts and arguments, may
direct their frustrations towards their innocent children. In such
instances, it is the children who suffer as the true victims.
In this contemporary era, where both parents typically hold jobs, children
are entrusted to caretakers and nurseries. However, in settings where the
number of children outweighs the capacity for adequate care, abuse may rear
its ugly head. The decline of the extended family system partly bears
responsibility for these distressing incidents.
Cramped living conditions and financial difficulties can also contribute to
child abuse. When faced with the pressure of providing for too many mouths
to feed, parents may succumb to their mounting frustrations and unleash
their anger upon an unsuspecting child.
Substance abuse further exacerbates the prevalence of child abuse. Under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, a parent may become oblivious to their
actions, or worse, knowingly commit heinous acts without remorse. Drug
addicts often experience volatile mood swings and are easily provoked by the
cries of an infant. Consequently, we frequently encounter horrifying
accounts of children being mercilessly tortured and discarded callously like
refuse.
Psychologists argue that child abusers themselves may have been victims of
abuse in their own past. Thus, driven by anger and resentment, they
perpetuate this vicious cycle. Some harbor no affection for the children
they harm, having been raised to believe that physical discipline is
necessary for maintaining control. These individuals are plagued by inner
turmoil and desperately require assistance.
The concept of home is intended to represent a sanctuary, a place where a
child should feel secure and sheltered. Tragically, more often than not, it
is within the confines of the home that children suffer abuse. Regardless of
the reasons behind such maltreatment, decisive action must be taken to
eradicate this cruelty and aid those parents who struggle to cope with the
demands of parenthood. Prospective parents ought to be provided with
counseling and educated in the art of effective parenting. Although the
Child Protection Act, enacted by the Parliament in 1991, falls short of
effectively preventing child abuse, its enforcement must be rigorously
upheld. Achieving this requires a collective commitment from every
individual to assist families affected by abuse and extend support to
troubled parents, who themselves may be perpetrators. |
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