Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

In what ways do you punish children?Emotional PunishmentShouting and glaring at children were reportedwith highest frequency as forms of emotionalpunishment. Adults saw both of these acts as mildforms of punishment that were administered asa warning before a “more serious” action wouldfollow.Shouting (63.6 percent) was seen as a normal wayof communicating with children. Many adults feltthat it added emphasis to a point when they raisedtheir voices.You know how these children are. If you talk tothem with a normal voice, they ignore you, butif you raise your voice, they start taking youseriously. If you don’t shout at them, they willstart sitting on your head!female, teacher, IgangaGlaring was the only form of punishment that wasreported with higher frequency by adults than bychildren, with 61.3 percent of adults saying theyglared at children and only 51.7 percent of childrenreporting being glared at. This difference may existbecause many adults mentioned with pride thatglaring was enough to stop their children frommisbehaving. It was seen as an indication of havinginstilled enough fear of consequences that theirchildren did not need to be told again.One look from me and he knows what he has todo. I do not need to raise my hand to show himthat I am displeased.male, parent, ApacFigure 3.11 Types of emotional punishmentused by adults, by sex ofrespondentsShoutingGlaringEmbarrassingInsultingIgnoringDenying love andaffectionOtherMaleFemale0 20 40 60 80% of respondentsIn discussions and interviews, many adults indicatedthat emotional punishment was an effective toolfor maintaining control over children. For example,approximately one in five adults said that theyinsulted (20.7 percent), ignored (19.6 percent), ordenied love and affection (20.5 percent) when theywere displeased with children. Almost one in threeadults (30.6 percent) said they humiliated childrenwhen they misbehaved as a way of ensuring thatthey wouldn’t repeat the mistake. The aim, itappeared, was to shame children or exploit theirneed to be loved in order to coerce them intobehaving differently.You have to show the child that your love isnot for free. He has to earn it. If he doesn’t dowhat you say, why should you show him love?The child should get what he deserves. Nothingmore, nothing less.male, parent, Kasese72 Part Three Adults’ Rationale