Participating in violence 'is harmful to youngsters'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Psychologists have expressed deep concern over
\nthe active role of children in clashes between security officers
\nand students on main thoroughfares in the city last week.<\/p>\n
Interviewed separately by The Jakarta Post on Saturday, Frida
\nMangunsong from the University of Indonesia and Irwanto from Atma
\nJaya University said the children's involvement would only lead
\nthe young teenagers becoming aggressive later.<\/p>\n
According to Frida, the teenagers, most of whom were street
\nchildren, could consider taking part in the clashes with security
\ntroops an exciting experience.<\/p>\n
Some of them may see such occurrences as a great opportunity
\nto take revenge against security personnel, who often act harshly
\ntoward street children, she said.<\/p>\n
\"If such instances occur over quite a long period of time, it
\nis not impossible that one day we will have a generation that
\nonly relies on physical power to solve any kind of problem,\"
\nFrida said.<\/p>\n
The expert on education psychology also said the fact that
\nadults, the real protesters, were encouraging children to become
\naggressive toward security could have a detrimental effect on the
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
\"The adults, for example, only watch and sometimes praised the
\nchildren's violent acts. The adults might not realize that the
\nchildren, after committing acts of violence, often consider
\nthemselves heroes,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Sharing the idea, Irwanto of Atma Jaya said children did have
\na right to become involved in politics as it would help determine
\ntheir fate and lives.<\/p>\n
But nobody, including children, has the right to be violent
\ntoward the authorities.<\/p>\n
He said adults who were continuously involved in actions
\nagainst troops must have a simple black-and-white way of
\nthinking.<\/p>\n
\"They think that all security officers are cruel and therefore
\nshould be opposed. They're not aware that life is complex,\"
\nIrwanto said.<\/p>\n
He also suggested the media help shield children by not
\npublishing pictures or broadcasting footage of youngsters
\nattacking officers. This way they would not learn to consider
\nsuch acts as heroic.<\/p>\n
Otherwise children across the country could start to believe
\nthat physical violence or murder was a common thing, worried the
\nsenior researcher of the center for societal development studies
\nat Atma Jaya University.<\/p>\n
Frida said she considered it a pity that some adults
\nencouraged youngsters to behave violently.<\/p>\n
\"It's dangerous. The adults should instead prevent little boys
\nfrom taking part in any violence,\" she explained.<\/p>\n
She added that most adults were unaware that they were giving
\nbad lessons to young people.<\/p>\n
Since last year, some children have accompanied their elders
\nin violent acts like clashes with troops, arson and looting in
\nthe capital.<\/p>\n
During the tension between anti-Habibie protesters and troops
\non Friday, a young boy aged about 10 delivered a speech using
\nharsh and crude language against the government and the military
\nin front of a strong cordon of military personnel.<\/p>\n
He was surrounded and applauded by students, one of whom
\nhelped the boy use a megaphone.<\/p>\n
The scene was later broadcast on TV.<\/p>\n
Seemingly proud with the support, the boy then pointed at the
\nmilitary personnel, who were about three times taller than him,
\nand verbally abused them in vile language.<\/p>\n
Earlier, some children were seen hurling stones at troops, who
\nresponded by firing tear gas canisters. (ind\/bsr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/participating-in-violence-is-harmful-to-youngsters-1447893297",
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