One of the values most parents hope to instill in their children is self respect, and each one of them attempts to bring up their child such that when the need arises, their child has the strength and resolve to stand up and raise a voice against any cruelty or wrongdoing against them or others. But what of those little ones, whose feet are trampled upon much before they can learn to walk, and those hearts that are scarred much before they can learn about love?
“Child abuse in any form – physical, emotional or sexual, is a very tragic and painful experience,” asserts psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Chugh. This implies that instances of being beaten by a parent (or teacher) during one’s formative years, or derisive comparisons with siblings or friends are some experiences that can potentially stay etched in one’s memory and impact one’s actions in life for as long as one shall live. Dr. Chugh warns about such harrowing life-long impact of childhood abuse and says, “It may alter the person’s perception of life, people and relationships forever... more towards the negative and maladaptive.”
In fact, recently, after much research, The American Headache Society (AHS), ‘a professional society of health-care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache,’ has uncovered medical repercussions of childhood abuse in adulthood. It strongly concludes that migraine and many other comorbid pain conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are linked to childhood abuse and maltreatment to a large extent. A surprising outcome of the research (especially for those of us who consider child abuse as primarily sexual or physical) is that the maximum amount of damage to a person is caused by emotional abuse followed by physical neglect. And emotional neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse have more or less the same impact. While according to Dr. Chugh, “The degree of impact depends on various factors like the person’s own mental strength, family, and social environment,” the research once again establishes the extreme importance of attention, love and patience during a child’s formative years.
Childhood maltreatment once brought to light brings about a flood of pity and sympathy for those who have suffered, but it grieves one even more when one watches in horror the same kids turning into living reflections of those very people who tortured them. Such a vicious circle is common and school teachers are among the most common spectators of this drama and at times also perpetrators.
I was once a primary school teacher and can remember even today how Shantanu, an eleven-year-old child, would be badly beaten by his father for his acts of indiscipline, for being disorganised and other such child-like behaviour observed in almost all kids. It pains my heart to hear from my former colleagues that now as a teenager Shantanu has grown into a merciless bully and frequently gets involved in fights and brawls.
Until now, books and movies like To Sir with Love that inspire us to believe that one person can heal scores made me believe that there is hope yet for such tortured souls. But with this latest research from AHS, one realises that it is more crucial for all of us to realise the power we have in damaging the balance of someone else’s life (be it a child or a grown-up).
“Child abuse in any form – physical, emotional or sexual, is a very tragic and painful experience,” asserts psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Chugh. This implies that instances of being beaten by a parent (or teacher) during one’s formative years, or derisive comparisons with siblings or friends are some experiences that can potentially stay etched in one’s memory and impact one’s actions in life for as long as one shall live. Dr. Chugh warns about such harrowing life-long impact of childhood abuse and says, “It may alter the person’s perception of life, people and relationships forever... more towards the negative and maladaptive.”
In fact, recently, after much research, The American Headache Society (AHS), ‘a professional society of health-care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache,’ has uncovered medical repercussions of childhood abuse in adulthood. It strongly concludes that migraine and many other comorbid pain conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are linked to childhood abuse and maltreatment to a large extent. A surprising outcome of the research (especially for those of us who consider child abuse as primarily sexual or physical) is that the maximum amount of damage to a person is caused by emotional abuse followed by physical neglect. And emotional neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse have more or less the same impact. While according to Dr. Chugh, “The degree of impact depends on various factors like the person’s own mental strength, family, and social environment,” the research once again establishes the extreme importance of attention, love and patience during a child’s formative years.
Childhood maltreatment once brought to light brings about a flood of pity and sympathy for those who have suffered, but it grieves one even more when one watches in horror the same kids turning into living reflections of those very people who tortured them. Such a vicious circle is common and school teachers are among the most common spectators of this drama and at times also perpetrators.
I was once a primary school teacher and can remember even today how Shantanu, an eleven-year-old child, would be badly beaten by his father for his acts of indiscipline, for being disorganised and other such child-like behaviour observed in almost all kids. It pains my heart to hear from my former colleagues that now as a teenager Shantanu has grown into a merciless bully and frequently gets involved in fights and brawls.
Until now, books and movies like To Sir with Love that inspire us to believe that one person can heal scores made me believe that there is hope yet for such tortured souls. But with this latest research from AHS, one realises that it is more crucial for all of us to realise the power we have in damaging the balance of someone else’s life (be it a child or a grown-up).
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri's Website
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
Arindam Chaudhuri's Portfolio - he is at his candid best by Society Magazine
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
IIPM B-School Detail
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri's Website
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs
Arindam Chaudhuri's Portfolio - he is at his candid best by Society Magazine
IIPM Best B School India
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM's Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society....
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
IIPM B-School Detail
