Violent Child Disciplining Practices at Home in Mekelle, Ethiopia: A Child Rights-Based Perspective
11 Dec 2015-
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the experiences of children in Adi-Shumdihun with violent disciplining at home and in the family, and discussed the local discourses used to legitimize the practices, and the responses of relevant actors to the problem of violent discipline.
Abstract: Violent disciplining is one of the most common forms of violence experienced by children in Ethiopia. These practices are threatening the very survival and healthy development of the children involved. This study explores the experiences of children in Adi-Shumdihun with violent disciplining at home and in the family. The local discourses used to legitimize the practices, and the responses of relevant actors to the problem of violent disciplining are also discussed from a Child Rights-Based Approach (CRBA). In doing so, this study follows a qualitative research approach. While children in Adi-Shumdihun are passing through bitter experiences of violent disciplining, such practices are culturally encouraged and legally overlooked at the national and local levels. A CRBA is yet to be introduced to the work of relevant actors in Adi-Shumdihun. The first thing that a CRBA requires is recognizing children as rights-holders. Besides, a CRBA entails the full protection of children from violent disciplining practices. It also requires the establishment of enduring structures that enable the children to equally and actively participate in the decision-making process of the relevant actors.
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Book Chapter•
01 Jan 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the experience of one state, Ethiopia, with the seven core human rights treaties, including the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Abstract: Among the many human rights conventions adopted by the UN, seven are known — together with their additional protocols — as the core international human rights instruments: - The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; - The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ; - The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; - The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women; - The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; - The Convention on the Rights of the Child; - The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The main international control mechanism under these conventions is what may be considered the standard mechanism in international human rights protection: state reporting before an international committee. An initial report is due usually one year after joining the treaty and afterwards, reports are due periodically (every four or five years). The international committees examine the reports submitted by the state parties. In the course of this examination they include information from other sources, such as the press, other United Nations materials or NGO information. They also hold a meeting with representatives of the state submitting the report. At the end of this process the committee issues 'concluding observations' or 'concluding comments'. This paper focuses on the experience of one state — Ethiopia - with the seven core human rights treaties. This should allow the reader to gain insights both into the human rights situation in Ethiopia and in the functioning of the United Nations human rights protection system. Key Words: United Nations, Human Rights Conventions, State Reporting, Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia
3 citations
31 Jan 2018
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the attitudes of medical students related to "violent disciplinary methods, social gender roles and children's rights" and examine the correlation between these attitudes, finding a statistically significant positive correlation between attitudes that "children may be punished physically" and "the use of some behavior with the aim of demeaning children as a disciplinary method".
Abstract: The use of all types of violent disciplinary methods degrading the child including physical punishment is a common violation of children’s rights. As a result, the aim of this study is to investigate the attitudes of medical students related to “violent disciplinary methods, social gender roles and children’s rights” and to examine the correlation between these attitudes. Based on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child and the child abuse literature, a survey developed by the researcher aiming to measure attitudes and containing 5-point Likert type questions was applied to medical students. The correlations between attitude questions were analyzed with Kendall’s Tau Correlation. The survey was voluntarily completed by medical students in years 1 to 5. Of students 54.1% were female and the mean age was 21.3 ± 2.7 years. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between attitudes that “children may be punished physically” and “the use of some behavior with the aim of demeaning children as a disciplinary method” with attitudes “supporting traditional social gender roles” (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between these violent disciplinary methods and attitudes supporting stereotypical gender roles with “rights of the child” (p<0.05). Students gave the answer “definitely disagree” at a rate of 32.8% in answer to the statement “some harmful traditional applications may be carefully used with the aim of increasing children’s stamina”. Medical students’ attitudes supporting “violent disciplinary methods” and “traditional social gender roles” are an important factor causing attitudes that prevent protection and provision of children’s rights. This study reveals the need for educational interventions aiming to change attitudes of medical students in terms of selective preventive studies.
2 citations
Cites background from "Violent Child Disciplining Practice..."
...Many parents believe that the use of these types of punishment involving physical or psychological violence is appropriate/acceptable while raising children (Dawes et al., 2004; Admassu et al., 2006; WHO, 2009; Gebrehiwot, 2015;)....
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...The use of all these disciplinary methods involving violence is a common violation of children’s rights (WHO, 2009; Gebrehiwot, 2015)....
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors found that 52.5% of the children had experienced harsh physical discipline and an additional 12.7% experienced moderate physical discipline in their lifetimes and the factors significantly related to increased likelihood of harsh discipline were geographic region, female caregivers, lack of employment, at least moderate perceived social status, and non-Muslim religion.
Abstract: Harsh parental discipline is ineffective and potentially harmful to children, yet it is still common, particularly in many African countries. Culturally responsive education programs are needed to shift parenting practices in African countries, but there is limited baseline research to inform such efforts. This study's objectives were to establish the baseline prevalence of harsh physical discipline practices among primary caregivers of pre-school children in Ethiopia and to identify associated factors to inform intervention efforts. The well-established Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale section on physical assault was translated and administered to primary caregivers of 1139 pre-school children aged 4-6 years sampled from four regions of Ethiopia. Trained interviewers also collected basic socio-demographic data. Based on caregiver report, 52.5% (n = 598) of the children had experienced harsh physical discipline and an additional 12.7% (n = 145) experienced moderate physical discipline in their lifetimes. After controlling for covariates, the factors significantly related to increased likelihood of harsh discipline were geographic region, female caregivers, lack of employment, at least moderate perceived social status, and non-Muslim religion. These data establish a baseline from which to evaluate the impact of future educational interventions designed to shift practices. Information about the correlates can be used to tailor such intervention efforts toward those most likely to use harsh discipline practices.
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TL;DR: The authors delineate analytic procedures specific to each approach and techniques addressing trustworthiness with hypothetical examples drawn from the area of end-of-life care.
Abstract: Content analysis is a widely used qualitative research technique. Rather than being a single method, current applications of content analysis show three distinct approaches: conventional, directed, or summative. All three approaches are used to interpret meaning from the content of text data and, hence, adhere to the naturalistic paradigm. The major differences among the approaches are coding schemes, origins of codes, and threats to trustworthiness. In conventional content analysis, coding categories are derived directly from the text data. With a directed approach, analysis starts with a theory or relevant research findings as guidance for initial codes. A summative content analysis involves counting and comparisons, usually of keywords or content, followed by the interpretation of the underlying context. The authors delineate analytic procedures specific to each approach and techniques addressing trustworthiness with hypothetical examples drawn from the area of end-of-life care.
31,398 citations
TL;DR: For example, this article found a strong relationship between the breadth of exposure to abuse or household dysfunction during childhood and multiple risk factors for several of the leading causes of death in adults.
12,712 citations
TL;DR: Three broad categories of naturalistic sampling are described: convenience, judgement and theoretical models, which are illustrated with practical examples from the author's own research.
Abstract: The probability sampling techniques used for quantitative studies are rarely appropriate when conducting qualitative research. This article considers and explains the differences between the two approaches and describes three broad categories of naturalistic sampling: convenience, judgement and theoretical models. The principles are illustrated with practical examples from the author's own research.
5,299 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a discussion of mixed methods sampling techniques, which combines well-established qualitative and quantitative techniques in creative ways to answer research questions posed by MM research designs.
Abstract: This article presents a discussion of mixed methods (MM) sampling techniques. MM sampling involves combining well-established qualitative and quantitative techniques in creative ways to answer research questions posed by MM research designs. Several issues germane to MM sampling are presented including the differences between probability and purposive sampling and the probability-mixed-purposive sampling continuum. Four MM sampling prototypes are introduced: basic MM sampling strategies, sequential MM sampling, concurrent MM sampling, and multilevel MM sampling. Examples of each of these techniques are given as illustrations of how researchers actually generate MM samples. Finally, eight guidelines for MM sampling are presented.
3,256 citations
TL;DR: A systematic review and meta-analysis is conducted to assess the relationship between child physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, and subsequent mental and physical health outcomes.
Abstract: Background: Child sexual abuse is considered a modifiable risk factor for mental disorders across the life course. However the long-term consequences of other forms of child maltreatment have not yet been systematically examined. The aim of this study was to summarise the evidence relating to the possible relationship between child physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, and subsequent mental and physical health outcomes. Methods and Findings: A systematic review was conducted using the Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO electronic databases up to 26 June 2012. Published cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies that examined non-sexual child maltreatment as a risk factor for loss of health were included. All meta-analyses were based on quality-effects models. Out of 285 articles assessed for eligibility, 124 studies satisfied the pre-determined inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Statistically significant associations were observed between physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect and depressive disorders (physical abuse [odds ratio (OR)=1.54; 95% CI 1.16–2.04], emotional abuse [OR=3.06; 95% CI 2.43–3.85], and neglect [OR=2.11; 95% CI 1.61–2.77]); drug use (physical abuse [OR=1.92; 95% CI 1.67–2.20], emotional abuse [OR=1.41; 95% CI 1.11–1.79], and neglect [OR=1.36; 95% CI 1.21–1.54]); suicide attempts (physical abuse [OR=3.40; 95% CI 2.17–5.32], emotional abuse [OR=3.37; 95% CI 2.44–4.67], and neglect [OR=1.95; 95% CI 1.13–3.37]); and sexually transmitted infections and risky sexual behaviour (physical abuse [OR=1.78; 95% CI 1.50–2.10], emotional abuse [OR=1.75; 95% CI 1.49– 2.04], and neglect [OR=1.57; 95% CI 1.39–1.78]). Evidence for causality was assessed using Bradford Hill criteria. While suggestive evidence exists for a relationship between maltreatment and chronic diseases and lifestyle risk factors, more research is required to confirm these relationships. Conclusions: This overview of the evidence suggests a causal relationship between non-sexual child maltreatment and a range of mental disorders, drug use, suicide attempts, sexually transmitted infections, and risky sexual behaviour. All forms of child maltreatment should be considered important risks to health with a sizeable impact on major contributors to the burden of disease in all parts of the world. The awareness of the serious long-term consequences of child maltreatment should encourage better identification of those at risk and the development of effective interventions to protect children from violence. Please see later in the article for the Editors’ Summary.
2,209 citations
"Violent Child Disciplining Practice..." refers background in this paper
...…for the children concerned including “poor physical and cognitive development and mental health, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, and reproductive and sexual ill-health” (UN General Assembly 2006:para.36; see also Norman et al. 2012:2; Felitti et al. 1998: 245-258; Child et al. 2014:1648)....
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