The link takes you to whole poem and some related material.
Go well
I
know that the vast majority of adults in the world do not share my
belief that hitting a child is a violation and an act of violence.
"It teaches respect!" they say: I
think it teaches fear.
"It prepares them for the harsh reality of life
outside the home!" they say: I think it teaches that the people who love you are
willing to hurt you.
"S/he drives me up the wall!" they say: I think this accusation is less likely if the parents develop Emotional Intelligence.
However, as bad as all that is, obviously there are other ways to program children in ways that increase the probability they will grow into adults who are forever frozen in emotional adolescence, or acting like eternal needy infants, turning every one into their parents, depending on others to take away the hurt - and, all too often, acting out on their friends, lovers, or their own children, the lessons of their own childhood.
I had been working on the following poem for a while, but was spurred to complete it when, in 2004 the House of Lords voted on the issue of smacking children.
The Casual Cruelty of Positive Intent
For every time we raise our voices,
Insisting that you have no choices
For every unkind thought or word
When you're just asking to be heard;
For every unheard, silent scream
That underpins low self-esteem,
Each time we call you dumb or slow,
We think that that will help you grow.The snide remarks that just slip out,
To fuel and reinforce self doubt.
Each puerile joke at your expense
Suggesting lack of common sense,
Each time we mock your futile struggle
And laugh out loud or simply chuckle,
And say, "How thick, and oh, so slow!"
Because we want to help you grow.
Each well-aimed poisoned arrow
To keep you on the straight and narrow;
Each barbed and bitchy, witty dart
To pierce and break your yearning heart.
Read more at craftylistening.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments, questions, thoughts or feelings will be very welcome!
go well