A recent survey has revealed a troubling reality in Pakistan: 60% of children in the country experience some form of domestic violence. This finding was released on June 4, observed globally as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, including in Pakistan.
The situation raises serious concerns as more children are becoming direct victims of verbal abuse, yelling, and physical aggression at home. These harmful behaviors are damaging not only their innocence but also affecting their mental development and emotional well-being.
In Lahore’s Shahdara area, the Amina Center—an informal educational institution for underprivileged children—serves as a safe space for many of these young victims. Isha Noor, a student at the center, shared with Express News that many children witness constant fights, shouting, and beatings between their parents. She said such scenes are etched into their minds, leaving them frightened and restless at night. “Children are not toys to be played with and thrown away. We are delicate like flowers. All we need is love and care,” she said.
The center not only focuses on academics but also prioritizes the emotional healing and psychological development of its students. Teacher Muhammad Abid said that they try to avoid harsh discipline and instead connect with the children through kindness, understanding, and games to help them feel secure.
He also pointed out the growing impact of social media, films, and cartoons in promoting aggression among children, as many tend to mimic violent characters and behaviors, often glamorized in popular media.
Psychologists have expressed deep concern over the findings. According to Clinical Psychologist Fatima Tahir, domestic conflicts, financial stress, and parental anger significantly affect children’s personalities. While some children respond with aggression, others become withdrawn and lose confidence.
She explained this pattern as a “psychological chain reaction”: a stressed father vents at home, the mother scolds the children, and the children either internalize this anger or develop behavioral issues. Breaking this cycle, she said, is essential for building a peaceful society.
Sociologists agree that a safe, loving, and peaceful environment is crucial for children to grow into healthy, responsible adults. This requires a joint effort from families, schools, state institutions, and civil society.
The same survey also indicated that many children suffer from educational pressure, with declining school performance and fear-based teaching methods adding to their mental stress.
Experts recommend that every school have a dedicated counselor, and parenting workshops should be held regularly to help families reflect on and improve their behavior.
While life’s harsh realities affect everyone, children’s fragile minds are not built to endure such burdens. As a society, we must recognize that yelling, hitting, or punishing children is not discipline—it is abuse. This day serves as a reminder that if we fail to protect and nurture our children today, we risk further damaging the society of tomorrow.
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So in conclusion
Don’t have kids . 🤣🤣🤣
Just never have kids and we can decrease our population to 0 in few years.
This article is filled with misinformation
Rija ramblings as usual
You are wrong
When people are tensed naturally kids will feel the impact. Why don’t you ask the govt to make better policies.
Next social media is imposed on them, what are they supposed to do ? Not watch cartoons ?
According to you kids should be in bubble without shy sense of realization.
Will you justify yelling at kids just because a grown up was having a hard time? Should one do that, one is not a grown up at all. If an adult is unable to cope with hard times, they dont deserve being around kids. Lets not turn kids into a punching bag or a venue to vent out our anger and frustration.
It breaks my heart to see kids scared and confused while being subject to mental and physical abuse; whether the perpetrator is a parent or a kin. When you are harsh with them, even if in the name of discipline, kids learn that violence is a problem solving method. Besides, they fight back through defiance of authority as time passes by. And thats exactly how stubborn teens come into existence. Silly is to try to subject them to more punishments and strictness. When has it worked anyway? Love is the only metal that can cut through steel.
Please note that i am not talking about parents only. I am including non-parent adults as well who try dominate little kids who are too weak to defend themselves. Why dont they dare do the same to healthy teens or adults rather than emotionally and physically vulnerable kids?
Human kids must be treated as nicely as people treat offsprings of their pets. No matter what the justification, its ineptitude of a parent and other adults should they resort to yelling or beating kids in garb of parenting or discipline. It leaves them defiant, emotionally disturbed and .
Respect should be earned through trust, consistent affection and connection, not oppression or violence. There is a subtle difference between obedience and submission. Control should not be exerted through fascism for that will be repelled by defiance.
Love begets love and respect; maltreatment yields hatred, revulsion and revolt. Muslims can learn about treatment of kids from the life of Muhammad Peace be upon him wherein he treated Anas Razi Allah Anhu and other kids with respect and affection only. Kids respond to love and respect; thus develop trust as well as a strong bond that last. Unfortunately, Pakistanis shall take another generation or two to learn and practice these virtues.