Protecting the best hope for the future
“Children are the world’s most valuable resources and its best hope for the future” a quote by John Kennedy which reminds us that each child holds the hope for a better future which we all hope for.
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Children are human beings that need guidance and protection. They are dependent beings that are still developing an understanding of how the world works; so the early stages of childhood and a child's mental, physical and emotional health plays a big part in a child's development.
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According to the American Psychological Association (APA), mental health is an essential part of children's overall health-- it has complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work and in society. Both physical and mental health affect how a child thinks, feels and acts on the inside and outside.
The COVID-19 pandemic has produced anxiety, uncertainty and hardships that can negatively affect a child's mental, physical and emotional health. Children's basic rights were neglected because of the pandemic and the number of cases of child abuse has risen as years pass by. Depriving or the inability to provide a child's basic rights such as the right to play, especially in early stages of childhood can cause long-term effects which include isolation, reduced self-control and poor resilience. Depriving a child of food can cause malnutrition and other health complications, depriving them of a roof exposes a child to different dangers, and depriving them of the right to be educated, is not giving them the hope or opportunity to grow for the future. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway child abuse and neglect may affect an individual’s physical and mental health in both direct and indirect ways; the immediate emotional effects of abuse and neglect --isolation, fear, and inability to trust--can translate into lifelong consequences including low self-esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties.
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A happy, loved and cared for child, is the best hope for the future. Each and every child deserves to receive their rights and have protection from abusers and predators in order for them to grow emotionally, mentally and physically healthy to adulthood. To protect Children from neglect and abuse like these, effective prevention strategies and approach focusing on modifying policies, practices, and societal norms to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for a child will help reduce child neglect in a community. Adults have an obligation to not inflict pain, but care and protection to children. Helping by raising awareness, attending programs, volunteering and donating are seen as small gestures of help individually, but when done together, it can create a big impact.
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