Save our Children

     Article by Ihenacho Michael

'Internally Displaced Children, Almajiri Boys, Street kids are Nigerian Children�..the children we neglect today will end up causing nuisance in the society tomorrow� � TGF Online�

In the face of the prominent strengths evident in Nigeria: being the largest black populated country in Africa, and that �in every fourth African is a Nigerian� (Ngboawaji et al, No date), there are no records of streets children. This in addition includes Almajiri boys and internally displaced children. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to breakdown in families, associated with most polygamous families. In such families, they are exposed in raising themselves, thus moving out to the streets. They are ether on a full time (in the streets) or part time occurrence (return back homes at night).

As we celebrate Children�s day, marked every year on the 27^thday of May,  there is an ever increasing level of neglect in the upbringing and welfare of the children within Nigeria and indeed the world over. According to the Encyclopedia of Mental disorders (2016), Neglect has been defined to occur due to either parent/guardian refusal or negligence/poor supervision or monitoring over their wards. Obligations such as the medical, emotional, education and physical welfare of their children are such. Others include insufficient provision of shelter, food and clothing. There are expected needs.

a.      Children have emotional needs: we live in world that most people see their work of paramount and value than their child. This involves their constant detachment from their children, having less time spent with them. This leads them to fend for themselves, leaving them no monitoring or guidance. Our failure to raise a child at specific stages of their lives will render them defenseless, naked to the advice from social ills/media/friends that in most cases provide wrong, unfiltered information and imagery that would have a significant impact through their growth.

b.     Children have educational needs: This is  most prevalent especially in third world countries. This is whereby most of the duties of the parents saddled upon the oldest of their children in the care of his siblings. This furthermore leads to the inability of the care giving child in losing out from the age appropriate activities pertinent to them. Thus, this can be associated with the raising level of truancy in schools.

Our failure as parents in this could lead to series of consequences. Firstly, studies have shown the high likelihood neglected children in sexual activities towards their puberty years. This further causes those being likely prone to sexually transmitted diseases, even pregnancy could be an outcome (Children Welfare, 2013).Secondly, most children of neglect are more prone to having a distant relationship with their parents commonly referred by psychologists to �Poor attachment� (NSPCC, 2016),;displaying antisocial behaviors. This is further associated with the high rate of personality disorders; strange feelings of affection/love towards unknown people and traits of aggression (Perry, 2012). As they develop towards adolescence, they experience episodes of poor mental/emotional health such as depression and post � traumatic stress order, which impacts their development. In addition, their physical health is affected as studies have shown a high probability to diabetes and poor functioning of their lungs. In regards to body mass index, children of neglect have experienced a rapid rate in comparison to those who have not experienced any form of neglect (Shin & Miller, 2012).

Neglect in its form and application is a form of abuse. Studies have shown the high likelihood (9times) of abused/neglected children being on engaged in social ills, vices and levels of juvenile delinquency (Gold, Wolan Sullivan, & Lewis, 2011). Most children of neglect especially male are more inclined to become addicts of intravenous drugs progressing towards adolescence (Felitti & Anda, 2009).

In conclusion, in order to avert such consequences from gathering momentum in the coming years, strategic/ prevention policies, and structures must be integrated. In addition, parents are in the face of the obligations saddled upon them are implored to rise up in their upbringing/catering and intervene early in the developmental needs of their children. This in addition requires their undivided attention, commitment, ready availability in capturing every  opportune moment in instilling godly virtues in them (Ekpo, No date) This would further positive attachment traits in their adult phase and in the long run, in the growth and development of their own children (NSPCC, 2016).

." Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it�- (Proverbs 22:6).

References:

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2013). Long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children�s Bureau. [Online]. Available at: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/long_term_consequences.pdf

(Accessed 25 May 2016).

Encyclopedia of Mental disorders (2016). Neglect. [Online]. Available at: http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Neglect.html (Accessed 25 May 2016).

Ekpo, J. (No date). Children the Hope of all Nations.[Online].Available at: http://www.academia.edu/5818788/Children_the_Hope_of_all_Nations_By_Rev_Japhet_Ekpo(Accessed 25 May 2016).

Felitti, V. J., & Anda, R. (2009). The relationship of adverse childhood experiences to adult

medical disease, psychiatric disorders, and sexual behavior: Implications for healthcare. In

R. Lanius, E. Vermetten, & C. Pain (Eds.), The hidden epidemic: The impact of early life trauma on health and disease. [Online]. Available at: http://www.acestudy.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/LaniusVermetten_FINAL_8-26-09.12892303.pdf(Accessed 25 May 2016).

Gold, J., Wolan Sullivan, M., & Lewis, M. (2011). The relation between abuse and violent delinquency: The conversion of shame to blame in juvenile offenders. Child Abuse &Neglect, 35(7), 459�467.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). (2016). Neglect Signs, symptoms and effects.  [Online]. Available at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/neglect/signs-symptoms-effects-neglect/ (Accessed 25 May 2016).

Ngboawaji D.N.; Paul E; Igbanibo S. T.(No date). Street Children and the Challenges of National security: Evidence from Nigeria. [Online]. Available at: http://bangladeshsociology.org/Street%20Children%20and%20the%20Challenges%20of%20National%20security.pdf(Accessed 25 May 2016).

Perry, B. (2012). Supporting maltreated children: Countering the effects of neglect and  abuse.  Adoption Advocate.. [Online].Available at: https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/images/stories /documents/NCFA_ADOPTION_ADVOCATE_NO48.pdf(Accessed 25 May, 2016)

Shin, S., & Miller, D. (2012). A longitudinal examination of childhood maltreatment and

adolescent obesity: Results from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health

(AddHealth) study. Child Abuse & Neglect, 36 (2), 84�94.