Child specialist defends anti-corporal punishment

In an effort to end the speculation on the proposed ordinance promoting non-violent and positive discipline of children, a child specialist was invited to speak on the July 14 episode of “Pagtuki,” a radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

Emma Patalinghug, child specialist of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas (DSWD-7), said the city ordinance does not take away the right of every parent to discipline their children.

“The main objective of this ordinance is to respect the right of every child for him to become a well-disciplined and law-abiding citizen. Corporal punishment inflicts physical harm, emotional, mental, and psychological pain to the child until he grows up,” Patalinghug said.

She said the bill does not only involve parents but also teachers and guardians.

According to Patalinghug, some forms of corporal punishment inflicted to children are beating, kicking, pinching, confining a child in a room, and burning body parts using hot candle wax. Verbal abuse, such as despising names of children and other humiliating words also count as corporal punishment.

“Every child experiments with the world around him. If he commits mistakes, do not inflict pain on him. Instead, let him realize the mistake he made,” said Joem Degracia, program officer of RAFI’s Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund.

Degracia said if implemented, the anti-corporal punishment bill will also educate children about resolving conflicts without the involvement of violence.

Patalinghug suggested that local government units, through their welfare office, should also conduct sessions to further educate parents about the provisions in the proposed ordinance.

The Anti-Corporal Punishment Act, authored by Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy and Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Susan Yap, seeks to prevent hitting or any form of punishment in disciplining the children. It promotes “positive” disciplining techniques among parents in order to eliminate cruelty against children.

The bill is currently pending in the Senate, and would be the first in Asia, if passed.

“Pagtuki” is aired over dyLA AM every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more information about Pagtuki, contact Fatrick Tabada at 418-7234 local 542, or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.