Violence
I was exposed to violence in my home growing up. My father abused my mother almost daily, until she decided to get away and move out of state. At times I thought this was a normal way of life, until I started to visit my friend’s homes and realized that their father did not yell or beat on their mom. I grew up not trusting and male figure, except for my grandfather. When I met my husband and we moved into our first home, I told him that if he ever hit me I would make sure he never hit another person. Thank goodness he was not that type of man. My children are very fortunate to have grown up in a home where the parents never argued or fought in front of them. To this day I do not like to hear of a woman and or children being abused. I am a true advocate against violence in the home.
I read up on UNICEF, they help children in war torn Iraq. These children are around violence and think of that as a normal way of life. UNICEF is calling for schools within Iraq to be a security safe zone for children and their teachers. “Schools are a haven for children in times of conflict,” said UNICEF Iraq Chief of Education Mette Nordstrand. “They are protected under international law as zones of peace. No matter what the circumstances, the only proper use for an Iraqi school is to educate and protect Iraqi children.” UNICEF has been assisting the children of Iraq since the war crisis has begun and will continue their support for the children and people of Iraq. UNICEF Emergency Specialist Luciano Calestini. “However, the psychological impact on children will be far harder to heal. It is absolutely critical that they see an end to this violence and can get back into school as soon as possible.”
Reference
Hajaj,C. (2008,April,21). Violence in Iraq disrupts Life and Education. Retrieved from UNICEF website: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/iraq
I am so sorry to hear about your childhood. What a terrible thing to have to witness on a regular basis. And what a strong woman you are to have overcome that violence and be a positive role model for your children and others. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that you had to witness violence as a child. So many times you see women that will grow up and think that abuse is acceptable and find themselves in an abusive relationship. You are a brave woman and thank you for sharing your experience with us.
ReplyDeleteCorrena,
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for the part of your childhood that had to deal with violence. Your mother must have been a very strong woman to finally leave the abuse. Leaving an abusive situation is a difficult. Depending on how long one has been in such a situation, abuse can become a co-dependent nature (familiar scene that has given direction to their life and they don’t know how to live without such a condition) to the victim. However, I am glad that you were able to find a partner who did not possess such violent characteristics. It sounds like you take after your mother.
Also, thank you for the information on violence and children in Iraq. It is my hope and prayer that the violence many children (including those in Iraq) have to experience will soon disappear.