UIN Saizu Academic Urges Public to Prioritise Affection for Children

An academic from Universitas Islam Negeri Prof KH Saifuddin Zuhri (UIN Saizu) Purwokerto, Muridan, has urged the public to prioritise affection for children as the foundation for building a generation of character and determining the nation’s future. “The future is not something that comes by itself. It is nurtured every day through parental affection, the example of teachers, community care, and an environment that allows children to grow up safe and dignified,” he said in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, on Thursday. According to him, various studies in developmental psychology, education, and economics show that the quality of care and environment during childhood greatly determines a person’s health, character, and productivity in the future. Therefore, a nation’s progress is not only measured by material achievements but also by its ability to provide a safe, loving environment that optimally supports children’s growth and development. He noted that the views of economist James J. Heckman show that investment in early childhood development yields the highest social and economic returns compared to educational investment at later stages of life. “These findings reinforce that attention to health, education, and early childhood care is not merely a moral value, but the foundation of human development,” said the lecturer from the Islamic Communication and Broadcasting study programme at UIN Saizu’s Da’wah Faculty. He reminded that cases of violence against children in Indonesia remain high, as the 2024 National Survey on Children and Adolescents’ Life Experiences (SNPHAR) estimates that around 11.5 million children aged 13-17 years, or 50.78 percent, have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime. Beyond the threat of violence, he said, the development of digital technology also presents new challenges for child protection, such as cyberbullying, exposure to age-inappropriate content, digital exploitation, and excessive use of gadgets. “Therefore, child protection must also be present in the digital space through warm communication, strengthening digital literacy, and setting an example in the use of technology,” he said. He stated that the attachment theory proposed by psychologist John Bowlby confirms that a warm emotional relationship between a child and parent is the foundation for developing a sense of security, self-confidence, empathy, and the ability to face life’s challenges. Conversely, violence or neglect during childhood can leave psychological scars that persist into adulthood. According to him, these values align with the example of the Prophet Muhammad in treating children with gentleness and respect, as well as the thinking of Ki Hajar Dewantara, who viewed education as a process of guiding children so that all their potential develops optimally. He asserted that loving a child is not merely about fulfilling their needs for clothing, food, and formal education, but also about providing a sense of security, giving attention, listening without judgement, building a habit of dialogue, and being a role model in daily life.