More and more cases of abused children have appeared in the media lately. Majority of the abuse cases have occurred from the very hands of their paternal parents. Some of these children may suffer psychological trauma throughout their lives as a result of the abuse while some have resulted in death (either voluntary or involuntary). In most cases child maltreatment occurs when parents could not adapt to the massive changes in their environment when resources are inadequate to cope with the demand of parenting. Battered-child syndrome are as likely to happen in one culture as another.
How then does one culture protect children from abuse? Over in the eastern world particularly in this region, child bearing is often considered a 'community' project. The help of extended family, older children and other community could just help to mitigate/decrease pressure on parents. Child abuse is also rare in cultures where the mothers are not routinely isolated from other adults or what we termed as "social isolation". In another scenario a culture's expectation for the behavior of children may also protect against child abuse. The indigenous tribe of New Guinea, for example , believe that children are unable to reason before the age of six or seven. Younger children are thus rarely punished for misdeeds because they are not expected to know better.
Parental behavior such as carrying, protecting, food sharing, grooming and playing in primates including those of the callitrichid species has been observed as similarly as human beings. In the study of primates, the development of an emotional bond of attachment with their mother (i.e distinguishing the mother from others, maintaining contact and recovering contact) has been extensively studied in macaques species. In macaque infants, they could distinguish their mothers from other females visually within a few days and tactually or auditorily in just a few weeks after birth (Rachel M. Williams, Ed. 2011). Macaque infants form attachments selectively for their mothers while infant marmosets may form attachments to their various caretakers. Unlike macaque mothers, common marmosets (both mothers and fathers) do not recognise their own infants, at least during the 1st few weeks after birth.
Recently i came across a bunch of monkeys (i mean real monkeys ! - long-tail macaque in this case) while strolling at a nearby recreational forest. I stopped for a moment to observe some of their parental behavior which perhaps some parents could emulate. Have a look at the photos below:
It started with a dose of fresh milk.
She sat close by to observe the child finding its way up the branch.
Occasionally she would hold the branch to ensure that its not too wobbly for the child to climb.
OK dear that is high enough. Let go back and watch doraemon at home.
Yay lets go !
Soar like an eagle but stay humble like a lamb !
Mucho Gracias !
 |
| Changeable Hawk Eagle (pale morph) |
Soar like an eagle but stay humble like a lamb !
Mucho Gracias !
