OUR CHILDREN- THEIR SILENT CRY
“…Let the children’s laughter reminds us how we used to be.” Whitney Houston.
If there is a set of human beings whose emotion you can trust, it should be children. When they cry, you know it’s for real, their smile sends waves of satisfaction to the mind of their recipients. What about their laughter? it is enough to make someone momentarily forget his problem. In fact, people just want to see children laugh and smile that they do anything even become like clowns just to elicit that reaction.
It is therefore unfortunate that people ignore their responsibilities towards the child and in doing so, their innocence is stripped from them, their confidence ripped out violently leaving them bare and defenseless and in their quest for survival, they become someone else.
Nowadays, what we see are couples who believe that children makes a complete marriage; hence they pray, cry and do whatever it takes to get it and when they do, they neglect their duties and instead subject the child to all forms of abuse; emotionally, psychologically and physically even going as far as uttering profanity towards them.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s 2016 global estimates of child labour, 'one fifth of all African children are involved in child labour which is twice as high in any region'. According to the survey, young children form the largest group with 59% between ages 5-11, 26% between ages 12-14 and 15% between ages 15-17. It was reported that children in the youngest age bracket constitute the largest group in hazardous work.
This shows the extent to which children who are supposed to be the future are reduced to scavengers. The children are the future, but their present is an eyesore, therefore how can they believe that the future is theirs or that it’s bright? Make the present appealing and they will believe anything you say about the future.
It is time we understand the value of showing love to these children. It’s also important we understand our duties and responsibilities towards them. Yes, they will be reckless, clumsy, irritating at times, but it’s our reactions to these attitudes that will shape them. Being calm, yet firm in discipline will go a long way in correcting a child than being loud, noisy and boisterous.
We must also remember that children learn from our actions; so we must also impact positively to them. Learning to apologize when you wronged them actually develops and deepens the bond you have with a child. Being patient with them makes you earn their trust. It is therefore imperative we do all we can for them because in the end they are worth it.
As Janet Jackson said concerning her son “Even in his short 17 months on this planet, he has shown me that love, no matter how deeply you believe you have experienced that emotion can always go deeper, Love is limitless.'
Therefore, loving and cherishing the little ones make us understand a step and a depth of unreciprocated love.
Odigwe Jilams.
Jilams Odigwe is an enthusiastic writer who borders the line between a realist and optimist. His love for art is fluid, which makes Bon vivant of some sort...
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