The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Children victims of parental pressure

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Thursday, Jan 08, 2009
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Kerala - Kochi

Children victims of parental pressure

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Children are losing their childhood because of parental pressure and exploitation by unscrupulous elders, Patsy George, renowned social activist and winner of the ‘Order of Canada’ award, has said.

“In the rat race for marks in the examination, most of them are now-a-days being forced to attend tuition classes, in addition to spending the whole day at school. This is mistreatment of children. With support for public education eroding, education has become big business now. Students have to pay hefty donation to get admission in educational institutions,” she said, after inaugurating Dyuti 09 – a three-day international conference on ‘Millenium development goals and child protection’ at the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery, here.

Inappropriate sex education in Kerala and other States has led to children having problems in dealing with their sexuality in the growing stage. Ninety per cent of people who molest or rape children are known to them. This may even lead the child to suicide. But a culture of silence prevails in the Indian society. The victims must know that they are not at fault for the predatory behaviour of some people. Local neighbourhoods must act to make communities safer.

She cited poverty as among the root causes for children facing testing times. The conference has been co-sponsored by UNICEF and the UGC. Earlier, select children from across the country lit the lamp, in a symbolic ceremony. The children from SOS Children’s Village presented a dance to the accompaniment of the song ‘Here I am, with a right for love’.

Offering felicitation, the president of International Council for Social Welfare-India, J. Alexander, called for more powerful voices against social injustices. The provincial and manager of Rajagiri, Fr. Antony Kariyil, narrated the story of a teenager who was misled by the cook of his hostel into the illicit drugs trade in Kovalam. He warned that the breakdown of family ties would lead to children falling prey to vices. The global president of ICSW, Christian Rollet, and the dean, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Richard P. Barth, too spoke.

The meet will also decide on a mechanism to monitor the activities of government and non-government agencies that work for child development.

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