Topic

Ethical Demand

The Ethical Demand to Confront Violence Against Children

Text by the International Consortium on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood for the Protection of Children from Violence


Religious and spiritual traditions recognize the Divine, the sacred, in each child. In many stories and religious passages, children are seen as a blessing. The birth of a child is seen as a blessing that brings us closer to experience and more aware of what is referred to as God.

In religions and spiritual traditions, children are often described as a whole person, a very important member of our society, as a gift.

Science, at the same time, also shows that young children should be given special attention and care, that they need positive relationships and interactive care to thrive. In their own way, both science and religion and traditions point to the importance of early childhood. However, in silence and secrecy, many young people and children suffer from the various forms of violence inflicted on them.

A major obstacle to ending violence against children is the perception of early childhood as primarily a period of transition and capacities, evolving into adulthood. It is often assumed that only upon reaching adulthood is a person a fully fledged person with human rights.

This perception must be challenged: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes all children as holders of rights that must be respected and protected, rather than being treated as passive recipients of services or “not yet persons”.

Religious communities are called upon to care for and nurture children, not only because it is their responsibility, but because they have an ethical obligation to uphold the dignity of the child. In doing so, they must reconsider the way violence and authority are used in parenting.

To nurture, you have to love. It is necessary to take care of the development of another human being, to provide conditions for a better relationship with our children.

It is antithetical to impose anything, with or without violence, which can lead to obedience and homogeneity, but only as long as the fear lasts.

We cherish love and we exemplify it deeply in ourselves, with children, gently, joyfully, playing and respecting their dignity and sanctity. Caring for children is a divine responsibility entrusted to us by God.

The Importance of Play for Children's Spirituality and Well-Being

Developing a playful spirit is also key to building resilience, the ability to overcome adversity, which helps to deal with stress, feelings of failure and disconnection.

The right to play is also stipulated in article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes the child's right to rest and leisure, to engage in age-appropriate play and recreational activities and to participate freely in cultural and artistic life. General Comment No. 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child expresses the critical contribution of play to the spiritual well-being of children, as well as to the protection of the earth. “Children come to understand, appreciate and care for nature and the world through exposure, self-directed play and exploration with adults who communicate their wonder and meaning. Memories of childhood play and leisure in nature are strengthened as resources for dealing with stress, inspiring a sense of spiritual wonder and encouraging stewardship for the land. Playing in natural environments also contributes to agility, balance, creativity, social cooperation and concentration" (UN Committee on Convention of the Rights of the Child. (2013). General Comment on the right of the child to rest, leisure, play, recreational activities, cultural life and the arts (art. 31). https://www.refworld.org/docid/51ef9bcc4.html).

Play is essential for children's development. Through play - freely invented or guided - in a safe environment, children can delve deeply into a joyful set of experiences: exploring their senses, making sense of the world, expressing and dealing with emotions, and engaging with others. However, when the game is guided, one should not take away the nature of children's playful spirit and their genuine ability to enjoy. On the contrary, spaces should be created for children to express their playfulness, as this in itself provides the spark for children to create spaces that stimulate their spiritual growth (Arigatou International. (2021). Learning to Live Together. An Intercultural and Interfaith Program for Ethics Education for Children 6 to 11 years old, p. 43).

This toolkit, therefore, argues that by developing children's spirituality in the early years, critical contributions can be made to protecting children from violence.

Children's spiritual development requires three main conditions, as presented earlier, that support the emergence and flowering of spiritual capacities. These conditions require parents, caregivers and educators to use non-violent forms of education that affirm the dignity of the child, and to create spaces and environments for children that are loving and respectful, safe and free from violence; exposing children to experiences that are empowering, supports the development of their agency and allows them to develop interconnectedness with others, as well as practice ethical values and develop a sense of community.

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