Case Study

There was a boy who was the only child of his parent and was about 4 yrs of age. As a result of his parent tight schedule, he was put in mercy of the house help. His parent loved him and they provided everything to make him comfortable, but they never had time for interaction. Whenever this boy gets to school, the class teacher would collect his food and eat it. Same applies at home too with the house help. He started getting lean as days passed by without sufficient food for his growth. Each time he wants to talk to his parent, the parent would not listen because they were busy and will tell him to go and do his assignment. One day as usual the teacher demanded for his food but he resisted giving the uncle, this led to the uncle giving a slap which made him faint. On getting home he wanted to tell his mother but she was busy to listen. After two weeks he fell, pulse and blood started coming out from his ear and nose. At this junction the parent had to rush him to the hospital but on getting there it was late for the child. A teacher at the school had to confront the parent because she was moved with what the child passed through, in fact she was the one that buys biscuit and snacks for the boy. That was how the parent had to arrest the uncle but the deed had been done already.

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?
Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment or neglect of a child is termed as child abuse. This can happen at the hands of a parent, a close relative or a care giver and has a significant detrimental effect on the child’s psyche. The highest risk of child abuse is to children who are five years and below.

A physical abused child.

CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE INCLUDES:

• Isolation and lack of support: No family members, friends, partners or community support to help with the demand of parenting.
• Drugs, Alcohol or gambling problem: Addiction or substances abuse may affect a parent’s ability to meet their child’s need.
• Lack of parenting skills: Parents may not know how to care for their child or may believe it is acceptable to use excessive physical force to discipline or punish a child.
• Low self-confidence: Parents may doubt their ability to meet their child’s need and find it hard asking for help.

Child abuse either falls into one of these categories; Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and psychological abuse. Abuse can lead to emotional behavioral changes, which could cause some psychological effect on the child to undergo; Anxiety, depression, low academic performance, fear, low self-esteem, difficulty in maintaining relationships and lack of trust.

SOLUTIONS OR PREVENTION TO CHILD ABUSE

• Love: Parents should learn to show love to their children in order to win their love and confidence.
• Good relationship: Children should be the best partner of their parents. Parents should be able to relate well with their children and not hiding anything from them. They should talk and play together; thereby, the child will be free and willing to open up to them.
• Sex education: Parents, especially mothers should be able to teach their children about sex education from time to time. If you don’t teach them at home, someone else will help you to teach them outside, even practically and it will be too late for you to cry.
• Proper monitoring and devotion of time for your children: Many parents don’t even have time for their children. They spend most of their time at office, business, clubbing, partying and traveling, leaving the child at the mercy of house help. Many children will want to talk with their parents but meets bricks walls as the parents have no time to listen to them. Such parents do live to regret their actions later in life (Case study applied).
• Do not be too harsh/hard on your children. Give them some breathing space. Make your children happy when you are available, let them feel your presence in a good atmosphere. Respect your children’s opinion as well and make them feel important; they are your future.

Remember, children have their rights too, respects their RIGHTS!

Facilitated by Comrade Emmanuel Kolawole.