KARACHI:
A child who is beaten for making a mistake does not learn how to do better. Instead, the child only learns to fear the person in the position of power. Across Pakistan, children face this at schools, seminaries, tuition centres and other places where adults are supposed to guide them. Being beaten can create fear, anger, shame, silence, low confidence, hatred and lasting emotional pain.
Some children stop asking questions because of the fear of being hit. Some start hiding their mistakes. They become too afraid to ask for help. Some become aggressive and repeat the same behaviour with younger children. A child who grows up seeing violence as discipline can start believing that hurting someone is a normal way to control them. Teachers, parents and caregivers need practical training in calm forms of discipline. Schools need clear rules against hitting and proper systems for complaints. Practical ways to correct children without hitting them should become the norm.
Children need a safe person they can approach when someone hurts them. Discipline should teach a child what went wrong and how to improve. Fear can force obedience temporarily, but respect builds better behaviours for life. Children need guidance and deserve dignity. Their childhood should never become a phase of constant fear.
Muhammad Shahjahan Memon
Islamabad
