A RECENT study of 10,000 students in elementary schools aged between 8 and 12 in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam has revealed shocking information. Some 35 percent of the students have been physically abused by their parents, 50 percent of them were verbally abused and 2 percent suffered sexual abuse.
If we look carefully at these numbers, we see that the study has dangerous implications. One of them is that high numbers of our children are subjected to physical, verbal and sexual abuse.
Why is this happening? What is the main reason behind it? Could it be that these parents were not brought up the correct way by their parents and so they are unable to bring up their children without abusing them?
Is the culture we have based on abuse? Did these parents not receive a good education in schools and universities on how to raise children without physical and verbal abuse?
Do these parents live in a society that lacks social awareness on the correct ways to raise children?
We have to admit that parents today are victims of yesterday. It is imperative that parents should reflect on themselves and criticize themselves before they criticize their sons and daughters. These parents should read the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding the best ways to bring up children.
In the end they should know that physical, verbal and sexual abuse are the worst crimes committed against children and the tragic results will be seen when their sons and daughters are adults.
