Experts state that children's ability to lead a good life and grow up in safe and healthy environments is considered a parental responsibility, and that children's growth into healthy and developing individuals begins with receiving acceptance and love in the family environment. Dr. Demet Gülaldı emphasized that it is crucial for children to be healthy and well-nourished, especially in the early period between 0-6 years of age, for their development; she points out that 600 million children worldwide live below the poverty line, and due to malnutrition and diseases, 30,500 boys and girls under the age of 5 die every 14 days globally. Dr. Demet Gülaldı reminds that another factor affecting children's development is child abuse and neglect.
600 Million Children Worldwide Live Below the Poverty Line!
Dr. Lecturer Demet Gülaldı from the Child Development Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi discussed the importance of children's relationships with their caregivers and the effects of neglect and abuse on children's lives.
The Future of Children Concerns the Entire Society
Dr. Demet Gülaldı stated that although it is primarily the responsibility of parents for children, who form the foundation and future of societies, to lead a good life and grow up in safe and healthy environments, this responsibility actually concerns the entire society, adding, “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, to which our country is also a party, emphasizes that based on the best interest of the child, parents, legal guardians, and other individuals and institutions legally responsible for the child must undertake the necessary care and protection for the child's well-being, and states must also take legal measures and precautions in this regard.”
Children Who Receive Love from Their Families Grow Up Healthy
Dr. Demet Gülaldı stated that children's growth into healthy and developing individuals begins with receiving acceptance and love in the family environment, and continued:
“Meeting children's basic needs by parents or other caregivers, and doing so with love, will enable them to become self-confident adults with sound physical and mental health, integrated into society. Every child needs to grow up in safe environments with good health, good nutrition, and ample learning opportunities. However, this is not always the case. We frequently witness children being subjected to all forms of neglect and abuse in family settings, schools, and social environments. We can say that even a single child being mistreated or deprived of basic needs such as nutrition, protection, and love is a situation that adults should question.”
600 Million Children Below the Poverty Line…
Dr. Demet Gülaldı stated that children being healthy and well-nourished, especially in the early period between 0-6 years of age, is one of the most important steps in their development, and continued, “This situation also brings to the agenda a concept called child poverty. Poverty deprives children of their rights to life, growth, and development. 600 million children worldwide live below the poverty line. In developing countries, it is stated that 200 million children under the age of 5 live below the absolute poverty level. Globally, due to various preventable causes related to poverty, such as disease and malnutrition, 30,500 boys and girls under the age of 5 die every 14 days.”, drawing attention to the extent of poverty in the world.
Neglect and Abuse Negatively Affect Their Development
Emphasizing that another factor affecting children's development is child abuse and neglect, Dr. Demet Gülaldı said, “Neglect and abuse manifest both emotionally and physically. Emotional neglect and abuse negatively affect children's health, development, and sense of security. The consequences of neglect and abuse continue to have a lifelong impact. Recently, we have encountered cases of neglect and abuse that have reached life-threatening levels for children and resulted in their deaths.”
Protecting from Neglect and Abuse is a Societal Duty
Dr. Lecturer Demet Gülaldı from the Child Development Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi said, ‘As parents, we know that we must provide healthy care and safe environments for our children,’ and concluded her words as follows:
“For this, it is extremely important for parents to be aware of the responsibilities and importance of parenthood before having children, to possess sufficient knowledge and skills in child rearing and care, and to have access to necessary social support. Protecting children from all forms of neglect and abuse is a duty not only for parents but for all individuals in society. Protecting children from impoverished family environments, ensuring their free access to education and health services, taking necessary measures for regular health check-ups, and supporting families in terms of information, access, social, and economic aspects are among the most important duties of administrations and state policies for children's rights to life, growth, and development.”