Talking to our children about violence and war is difficult in its own right, as no parent wants to bring their child into the harsh reality that is our globalized world. And while yes, sheltering children from violence is ideal, it is not an option that holds feasibility for long. Soon children will catch a glimpse of the destruction the fills our evening news, see the images of death on the cover of the morning newspaper; hear something at school about a child in his class that was abused, etc. The reality of life is that most children two thirds of the worlds children live in violent conflict, making violence are part of everyday life. Helping children who live in environments of peace understand violence and conflict, and that children across the globe do not all live as they do, does not only help to be more prepared should they ever be faced with such situations, it also works to help prevent instances of violence and conflict. Children undoubtedly have a clearer understanding of human nature than adults tend to realize, and they tend to see past the political polarization that so often muddles' the peace process.
So how do you talk to children about violence and conflict, with out leaving them daunted and distressed, but leave them empowered for peace? Start with letting them know that everyone does both good and bad things sometimes, but violence based on someone's race, religion or gender is never ok. Work with them to see that real war and violence isn't a black and white issue, there is no good guys versus the bad guys, and regardless of how gray the areas between the two sides are, atrocities such as ethnic cleansing and genocide, are never ok. Helping children to brake down the barriers between fantasy war and real war, by highlighting the realness of the victims, who are disproportionately children, lets them know that life and conflict do not always end with a storybook endingthat people die and lives are uprooted, and once peace comes there is still much to be done to help people rebuild their lives and maintain peace.
Help your children understand the world better and take time out once a week to learn a about a new culture, show them what a child's life is life for someone their age in Brazil, China, India, Kosovo, Spain, Zambia Why not have your child pick a country which they feel the most connected to, and work with them to find a way to give back; collecting clothing, donating their allowance, donate books to a school, etc. You and your child will not only have fun learning together, but you will be helping your child develop into a more cultured and tolerant person, and possibly even a future leader for peace! Peace begins with social responsibility and teaching our children that it is the only way forward is the only way to ever move towards sustainable peace.
See Books for Children , Resources for Children and Young Adults , Resources Teachers and Parents , and the other resource pages as well as the links for more resources and tools to help you talk to your children.
Links:
Talking to Children About Terrorism and Armed Conflict
Promoting Tolerance and Peace in Children
Kids on War, Peace and Terrorism
