Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department Faculty Member Demet Gülaldı touched upon the importance of children's relationship with their caregivers and the effects of neglect and abuse on children's life.
Stating that although it is primarily the responsibility of parents to ensure that children, who form the basis and future of societies, lead a good life and grow up in safe and healthy environments, this responsibility actually concerns the entire society. Demet Gülaldı, “The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child, to which our country is a party; It emphasizes that parents, legal guardians and other persons and institutions legally responsible for the child should undertake the necessary care and protection for the well-being of the child, based on the benefit of the child, and that states should take legal regulations and measures in this regard.
Dr. Demet Gülaldı said that the growth of children as healthy and developing individuals begins with being accepted and loved in the family environment and continued her words as follows:
“Meeting the basic needs of children by parents or other caregivers and doing this with love will enable them to be included in the society as adults who are self-confident and in good physical and mental health. Every child needs to grow up in safe environments with good health, good nutrition and rich learning opportunities. However, this is not always the case. We often witness that children are exposed to all kinds of neglect and abuse in the family environment, school and social areas. We can say that the abuse of even a single child and the deprivation of basic needs such as nutrition, protection and love is a situation that adults should question.”
Stating that children's health and good nutrition, especially in the early period between the ages of 0-6, is one of the most important steps in their development, Dr. Demet Gülaldı said, “This situation brings up a concept called child poverty. Poverty deprives children of their right to life, growth and development. 600 million children worldwide live below the poverty line. It is stated that 5 million children under the age of 200 in developing countries live below the absolute poverty level. Every 14 days, 5 thousand 30 boys and girls under the age of 500 die in the world due to various preventable causes such as disease and malnutrition related to poverty," he said, drawing attention to the extent of poverty in the world.
Emphasizing that another factor affecting the development of children is abuse and neglect against children, Dr. Demet Gülaldı said, “Neglect and abuse occur both emotionally and physically. Emotional neglect and abuse negatively affect children's health, development and sense of trust. The consequences of neglect and abuse continue for a lifetime. Recently, we have been encountering cases of neglect and abuse that threaten the life of the child and result in the death of children.” he said.
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department Instructor Member Demet Gülaldı said, 'As parents, we know that we need to provide healthy care and safe environments to 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 parenting before they have a child, to have sufficient knowledge and skills about child rearing and care, and to have access to the necessary social supports. In order to protect children from all kinds of neglect and abuse, not only parents but also all members of the society have a duty. Protecting children from poor family environment, having free access to education and health services, taking necessary precautions for regular health checks, supporting families in terms of information, access, social and economic aspects are among the most important duties of governments and state policies for children's right to life, growth and development. ”
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