Renewal Voice
Violent behavior is a harmful or aggressive response that an individual show to another. It can manifest itself in many ways. We can recognize it through physical violence, bad words, or mental conflicts. When evaluating individuals with violent behavior, we need to evaluate many factors. Usually, individuals with violent behavior may get angry at others, scare them, or physically or mentally harm them. This can be due to various reasons. This harms relationships and causes mental stress. This causes problems in the physical and mental health of the individual and social relationships and causes many losses in personal life. Therefore, we need to try to handle such problems carefully. It is essential that we identify violent behavior and adopt the right methods to solve it.
Nowadays, we can see that violent behavior is increasing alarmingly in children. Violent behavior in children is a matter of great concern for parents. This can have a detrimental effect on the future of children and their relationships with those around them. With proper attention and interventions, we can control this behavior to some extent and raise children well. We can see that suicide, drug abuse, and criminal activities are increasing regularly even among school students in today’s era. There are many complex, social, and psychological reasons behind this violent behavior. The role of parents is very important in this.
We need to recognize that faults in the family environment are a major reason behind violent behavior in children. Anger and violence are more common in children who do not receive love, security, and affection. The severity of punishment methods is also a reason. Excessive physical and mental punishment leads to the development of hatred and vindictiveness in children. The overprotection and neglect experienced by children, uncontrolled freedom, and lack of patience, contribute to the development of aggressive behavior. Digital addiction such as mobile gaming is also a reason for violent behavior in children. Genetic and medical problems in children may cause violent behavior. Paul says in Colossians 3:20; “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.”
There are several things that parents should pay special attention to in order to control the violent nature of their children. There can be many reasons why children show violent behavior. Frustration, fear, anger, and mental disorders are some of the reasons. Problems at home, school, and problems in relationships with friends can sometimes cause children to be violent. Therefore, parents need to understand the time, circumstances, and causes of children’s violent behavior and solve it. Since children generally imitate their parents, we should be prepared to avoid noise and fights at home as much as possible and teach our children to behave calmly and patiently. We should also pay attention to providing children with the necessary love, consideration, and security. This leads to building confidence in children and reducing violent behavior. Parents should convince their children that they will never accept their children’s violent behavior. Parents should teach their children to control their emotions by encouraging them to talk openly about their feelings. Parents should praise and encourage their children’s good behaviors. If, despite all these efforts, the child’s violent behavior cannot be changed, parents should seek the help of a pediatrician or child psychologist. Because they can find the true cause of the child’s violent behavior and prescribe appropriate treatment. Pope Francis says; “Raise children in non-violence. They are our future. They must learn love, mercy, and non-violence.”
Violence in children is not a problem that can be solved by beating them up. Rather, it can be solved through love, consistent role models and scientific interventions. We parents should take care to sow the seeds of peace in the hearts of our children. Only then will we be able to save our future generation from the waters of cruelty. If we see violence in our children, we should not be afraid or blame them. Instead, our main role as parents is to understand its roots and give them a path forward through love and discipline. Although violence in children is a challenge, we can raise them as good individuals through the right approaches and love. Let us strive for that.
Fr Joseph Munduparampil CST
