Young journalists in Russia devised an unusual method to convince parents from whipping their children. Local shops are offering trouser belts with a saying printed on the outer side. They say it is a "belt for the trousers, a talk for the child." The belts were created to persuade parents from abusing their children. They are hoping to make parents realize that a belt is an article of clothing and not a weapon used against the younger generation. The belts are a part of "The Belt is not a Proper Upbringing Method," a program sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation.
Sergei Kanarev is the leader of the young journalists who started the fad. In an interview with the Voice of Russia, he says that the campaign was launched with support from the Child Abuse Foundation. Their goal is to teach parents that children should be instructed by humane methods and not violence.
The "instructive" belts come in different colors and shapes and each belt contains a note with advice on handling and disciplining children without resorting to violence. Some critics of the belt say that physical punishment is the only way to get a child to understand the difference between what is good and what is bad.
The article goes on to say that up to two thousand children die in Russia due to domestic violence each year. This is a very serious problem. Some may think that the idea of the belt is silly, but I believe that the purpose behind it is a serious issue. When parents discipline their children to the point that they die, people should pay attention and realize how serious the issue is. It breaks my heart to know that so many children are subject to violence. However, it angers me to think that the violence is coming from their own parents. I understand that children need discipline, but like anything else; too much is too much. The line between discipline and abuse has been crossed and the belts are just a simple way to advocate for these children. In my opinion, that is not a silly thing.
http://english.ruvr,ru/2010/10/20/27300408.html
2 comments:
I think this is a very interesting article, Teena. Although to some it may seem like a joking issue with the belts with the sayings. This issue though really is something that is serious and needs to be adressed. I think that this is a wonderful and hope that success comes about in Russia!
Thanks Kelsey. I know that the belts seem like an extremely small step towards ending child abuse altogether, but if everyone did small things, it would equal out to be one big step towards the end of child abuse.
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