Adults shouting at children can be as harmful as sexual or physical abuse, study finds | CNN

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Impact of Verbal Abuse on Children

Introduction

Parents, teachers, coaches, and other adults shouting at, denigrating, or verbally threatening children can have a detrimental effect on their development, similar to sexual or physical abuse, according to a recent study. The study emphasizes the need to address childhood verbal abuse as a distinct category of maltreatment in order to prevent and treat its negative consequences.

Study Details

The study, published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect, conducted a comprehensive analysis of 166 previous studies on the topic. It calls for the recognition of childhood verbal abuse as a separate form of maltreatment to facilitate effective prevention strategies.

Classification of Child Maltreatment

Child maltreatment is currently classified into four categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse (including verbal abuse), and neglect. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging verbal abuse as an overt form of emotional abuse that requires special attention.

Findings and Consequences

The study reveals that childhood verbal abuse can have long-lasting negative consequences on mental health, externalizing behaviors, and physical health outcomes. These consequences include mental distress, such as depression and anger; externalizing symptoms, such as criminal behavior and substance abuse; and physical health issues, such as obesity and lung disease.

Importance of Addressing Childhood Verbal Abuse

The study was commissioned by Words Matter, a British charity dedicated to ending verbal abuse against children. The founder of Words Matter emphasizes the need to understand the true scale and impact of childhood verbal abuse in order to create a collective effort to prevent it and promote children’s well-being.

Shift in Childhood Abuse

The study suggests a potential shift in the prevalence of childhood abuse, with emotional abuse increasing while physical and sexual abuse declining. This finding aligns with previous reports from the World Health Organization and other studies cited in the research.

Consistency in Defining Verbal Abuse

The researchers emphasize the need for consistency in defining childhood verbal abuse to accurately measure its prevalence and impact. This consistency will enable the development of effective interventions to address this form of maltreatment.

Prevention Strategies

Resources available on the Words Matter website provide guidance for adults on how to avoid verbal abuse, including refraining from shouting, insults, putdowns, and name-calling. It also emphasizes the importance of thinking before speaking and repairing the relationship with the child after hurtful words have been said.

Expert Advice

Experts suggest that critique should be avoided while yelling at children, and consideration should be given to the age and individual response of the child. Understanding the impact of verbal abuse on children and implementing appropriate communication strategies is crucial for their well-being.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve the well-being and development of children, the importance of quality education, the prevention of abuse and maltreatment, and the promotion of justice and equality.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

These targets are relevant because they address the prevention of abuse, the promotion of mental health and well-being, the provision of quality education, and the promotion of equality and inclusion.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
• Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by age, sex, and disability.
• Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets as they provide specific metrics to assess the reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases, the developmental progress of children, the prevalence of violence against women and girls, the level of income inequality, and the incidence of human trafficking.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: cnn.com

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