GHANA OPINION

Emotional abuse in Ghanaian orphanages

Abuse comes in many guises, namely physical, sexual, verbal and emotional. The effects abuse, of any kind, has on a person, will remain with them for life.

Physical abuse is probably the most widely acknowledged form of abuse. It is clear to see when someone is being abused physically, by observing visual bruising or marking of the body. Society accepts that it is wrong, and therefore punishes individuals committing acts of physical abuse on others.
Equally, sexual abuse can be clearly explained as any act of a sexual nature, on another individual, without their consent. This can happen to both adults and children. Individuals found to have committed an act of sexual abuse are severely punished.
Verbal abuse is the use of foul or hurtful language at another person and in doing so, causing offence. Although psychologically damaging, acts of verbal abuse are not punishable.
The difference in punishment probably stems from the age-old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” implying that one could not be hurt from verbal abuse. This however is grossly untrue. People have been known to suffer so badly from prolonged verbal abuse, they feel the only way to end the torment is by taking their own life.

Emotional
Probably the least well understood, and accepted form of abuse is the emotional kind. Emotional abuse is basically denying somebody the love they deserve. Those most susceptible to emotional abuse are children, particularly, orphaned children.
Every child needs to be loved. It is a basic human need that is often taken for granted within many families. Parents' natural instinct is to love their children and show them affection in the form of kisses and cuddles.
Orphans however, do not have the fortune of hearing the words “I love you” coming from their parents' mouths. This prevents them from developing the emotion for themselves, and often end up growing resentful instead.
There is no denying that the orphanages in Ghana provide for their children wonderfully in terms of food, clothing and shelter.
But this is not enough. The carers ought to show more love to their children by giving them a hug occasionally, or a kiss at bedtime.
Instead, women working in the orphanages appear to be uninterested in the children's emotional welfare. Out of boredom, four to six year olds are allowed to walk the neighboring streets by themselves. No time is ever taken to play fun games with them, or to read them a bedtime story and tuck them in with a goodnight kiss.

Consequences
The consequences of emotional abuse are numerous. The children become withdrawn and are happiest when playing on their own. An emotionally abused child will play for hours with the same toy, completely oblivious to its surroundings.
As the children become a bit older, they may become more aggressive. An act of aggression is simply a plea for attention. At least, a naughty child gets spoken to and acknowledged; a quiet child is merely ignored.
This issue is a serious one. Only recently has emotional abuse been identified in Europe.
It has been found to be just as damaging as the more obvious physical abuse. Actions have been taken to prevent acts of emotional abuse, whereby parents or guardians deemed to be abusing children emotionally, will no longer be able to care for them.
Ghanaians also need to recognize the seriousness of emotional abuse and act to prevent it. Within the orphanages, carers ought to be better informed of the emotional needs of children.
It would be sensible to give them at least basic pedagogical training. Currently, the carers working at the orphanages undergo no formal training at all.

Carlyn Greenhalgh
22 August 2005

 

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