Violence against children has long been advocated against because of the profound implications it can have on children. According to a study conducted by UNICEF in 2007, Jordanian parents have shortcomings in their parenting styles.
Parents in Jordan frequently use violence – both verbal and physical, as methods of disciplining their children. This includes methods which can sometimes be quite severe, such as beating using belts, shoes or other objects, as well as insults, shouting, and name-calling.
This often happens because these are the only disciplinary methods parents know.
Such disciplinary measures and lack of knowledge of alternative methods, has also been expressed in the Syrian refugee community in Jordan.
An ARDD-Legal Aid report from February 2015, highlighted some of the challenges facing Syrian refugee women and Female Heads of Households (FFHs).
One of the main findings was in regards to psychosocial implications, namely, unsettled self-perceptions regarding their role as “mothers.” In particular, the report describes that many of the women who participated in ARDD-Legal Aid’s psychosocial support sessions showed signs of deep stress regarding their sense of “failure” as care givers and mothers, as they lack the parenting skills and resources to communicate effectively with their children and help them navigate in these difficult circumstances.
