Churches challenged over ‘legalised violence’
-16/03/06
Churches are being encouraged
Churches challenged over ‘legalised violence’
-16/03/06
Churches are being encouraged to challenge those who continue to smack their children – which campaigners say is a form of ‘legalised violence’.
The Churches Network for Non-Violence (CNNV) has launched a new resource to support the belief of many Christians that physical punishment is wrong and that children should be treated with respect, love and non-violence.
‘Respecting Children’ explores the rights and needs of 21st Century children, considers the difference between punishment and discipline, addresses alternatives to smacking and discusses practical ways of creating non-violent environments.
The handbook is designed for use through local churches and is flexible so it can be adapted to suit the needs and concerns of local church leaders, carers, childrenís organisations, educators and anyone else who might come to use it.
Related Articles
Although it discusses positive parenting, campaigners say it isnít a ìparenting packî. It can be used in a variety of ways for workshops, talks, house-groups or private study and it emphasises a positive approach to discipline which is about adults teaching children by example.
One of the key aims of the CNNV in publishing this pack is to encourage people to campaign actively and to contribute towards ending ‘legalised violence’ against children.
The Network was developed out of concern that the physical punishment of children often goes largely unchallenged by Christian communities.
Steve Pearce, Childrenís Secretary for the Methodist Church, says: ìIf we donít reflect on the effect that our adult way of life is having on children, we are neglecting our responsibility to that generation. We need to think about children more, and this is a rich resource to help us do that thinking and achieve a more respectful world. Respecting Children will help many groups take their thinking and action furtherî.
Peter Newell, co-ordinator of the Children Are Unbeatable! Alliance bringing together more than 400 organisations including the Methodist Church, said: “Christians and members of other faiths are at the heart of the broad and fast- growing campaign for children’s human right to equal protection from assault. This welcome new resource shows that children are people with human rights to physical integrity and human dignity just like the rest of us.”
Churches challenged over ‘legalised violence’
-16/03/06
Churches are being encouraged to challenge those who continue to smack their children – which campaigners say is a form of ‘legalised violence’.
The Churches Network for Non-Violence (CNNV) has launched a new resource to support the belief of many Christians that physical punishment is wrong and that children should be treated with respect, love and non-violence.
‘Respecting Children’ explores the rights and needs of 21st Century children, considers the difference between punishment and discipline, addresses alternatives to smacking and discusses practical ways of creating non-violent environments.
The handbook is designed for use through local churches and is flexible so it can be adapted to suit the needs and concerns of local church leaders, carers, childrenís organisations, educators and anyone else who might come to use it.
Related Articles
Although it discusses positive parenting, campaigners say it isnít a ìparenting packî. It can be used in a variety of ways for workshops, talks, house-groups or private study and it emphasises a positive approach to discipline which is about adults teaching children by example.
One of the key aims of the CNNV in publishing this pack is to encourage people to campaign actively and to contribute towards ending ‘legalised violence’ against children.
The Network was developed out of concern that the physical punishment of children often goes largely unchallenged by Christian communities.
Steve Pearce, Childrenís Secretary for the Methodist Church, says: ìIf we donít reflect on the effect that our adult way of life is having on children, we are neglecting our responsibility to that generation. We need to think about children more, and this is a rich resource to help us do that thinking and achieve a more respectful world. Respecting Children will help many groups take their thinking and action furtherî.
Peter Newell, co-ordinator of the Children Are Unbeatable! Alliance bringing together more than 400 organisations including the Methodist Church, said: “Christians and members of other faiths are at the heart of the broad and fast- growing campaign for children’s human right to equal protection from assault. This welcome new resource shows that children are people with human rights to physical integrity and human dignity just like the rest of us.”