Child abuse affects poor, rich alike<\/p>\n
Dewi Santoso, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It is generally thought that neglected children come from poor
\nfamilies, yet, in reality, wealth is no guarantee that a person
\ncan recognize a child's basic rights.<\/p>\n
Recounting his experiences, 13-year-old Kevin said on Friday
\nhis parents threatened to ban him from hanging out with his
\nfriends if he was not among the top three in his class at the end
\nof the school year.<\/p>\n
"I once ranked fifth, and my mother grounded me for a month.
\nShe didn't hit me, but she didn't allow me play either. I had to
\nstay home on weekends," the junior high school student said.<\/p>\n
During his punishment, he was forced to study hard as his
\nmother wanted him to make up for lost ground.<\/p>\n
His mother, Linda, argued that she was only trying to put
\nKevin back at the top of the class, where he belonged.<\/p>\n
"I just want what's best for him. If he succeeds in class,
\nhe'll definitely succeed later life," said the 41-year-old, whose
\nhusband is the manager of a private bank.<\/p>\n
Seven-year-old Jonathan, also the child of a businessman, is
\nalready experiencing pressure to compete. His parents demand that
\nhe is ranked among the top 10 of his class.<\/p>\n
"Since I've paid a lot of money for his education, I expect
\nhim to show his appreciation by getting good marks," Jonathan's
\nmother, Clara, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Linda and Clara said they disciplined their children so that
\ntheir prospects -- for higher education, and later, employment --
\nincreased.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Children's Welfare Foundation (YKAI) chairwoman
\nLily Rilantono said social norms and values in the country tended
\nto encourage parents to treat their children as objects.<\/p>\n
"It's been part of our culture, even among well-off families,
\nthat children have to listen to what their parents say. We don't
\ngive them the opportunity to argue, let alone correct their
\nparents if they are proven wrong," said Lily.<\/p>\n
Marking National Children's Day on Friday, President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri asked children to always listen to their parents.<\/p>\n
Lily said she often found parents were ignorant of their
\nchild's thoughts.<\/p>\n
"As a result, children are not given the opportunity and the
\nfreedom to choose. Their creativity is not developed. Their
\nrights are not protected," she told the Post.<\/p>\n
Rossi, the mother of a six-year-old boy, says she has always
\ntried to listen to her son.<\/p>\n
"Every time I say 'no', I try to explain why he is not allowed
\nto do what he wants. This seems to work," said the 35-year-old.<\/p>\n
Despite her efforts to communicate, Rossi said she was unaware
\nof what comprised a child's rights and how to protect them.<\/p>\n
"I don't know. I just want to make sure that all his needs are
\nfulfilled," she said.<\/p>\n
Many parents still lack knowledge about children's rights,
\nLily urged the government to increase pubic awareness of Law No.
\n23\/2002 on child protection.<\/p>\n
The law stipulates that the government, families and parents
\nmust protect a child's right to choose and the freedom to develop
\ntheir creativity.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/child-abuse-affects-poor-rich-alike-1447893297",
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