Experts discuss childhood isolation

Political unrest is damaging to children Cairo – Shaimaa Mikkawi A group of psychologists and social experts have asserted that familial security is an important aspect of child development.  A sense of insecurity within the family structure, they claim, makes children isolated and dependent on others.Psychology professor Dr Abdel Moneim Shehata said to Arabstoday: “the child can become socially isolated when he or she doesn’t feel secure, especially in light of ongoing problems between parents.” Shehata expanded, “ongoing problems in the family make the child feel insecure and therefore they lose the desire to communicate with others, making them vulnerable to a lot of behavourial problems, such as the increased irritability if anyone tried to break the cycle of social isolation." Shehata added, "The father and mother should take into account the psyche of their offspring, because what happens in the home or in the family undoubtedly affects the child." Shehata pointed out that "certain forms of punishment can also push a child in to isolation, such as severe beatings or putting him alone in a dark room."In turn, sociology professor Dr Mustafa Sakhaawi explained: "Excessive pampering of a child increases his sense that he is better than others which leads him to isolation as he feels he can’t deal with and interact with others."Sakhaawi added that "the child's sense of insecurity comes from the circumstances surrounding him. What is happening now in the street, demonstrations and clashes and manifestations of violence, these can lead children to feel insecure and untrusting." Sakhaawi concluded: "To tackle the problem of isolation, the child must be raised in a sound social atmosphere amid a psychologically stable family, because this stability will inevitably reflect positively upon him. We must give him the opportunity to depend on himself and communicate positively with others by avoiding excessive pampering or punishment.