In a new study conducted by UNICEF in five states, at least 30 types of physical and verbal harassment were revealed as part of an effort to teach discipline in Indian families. The study, titled ‘Parenting Matters: Examining Parenting Approaches and Practices’, was conducted in two districts each in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, three in Rajasthan and four in Maharashtra. In this study, various forms of violence against children in families have been mentioned. Physical violence includes burning, twitching, slapping, beating with a stick, belt, rod, etc. while verbal violence includes blaming, criticizing, shouting, using lewd language, etc.
Also, children witness physical violence by one of the parents towards the other, siblings, or outside the family. They also have to go through emotional harassment like stopping them from going out, not giving food, discriminating, creating fear in the mind. The study says, “As part of the effort to teach the lesson of discipline, at least 30 types of physical and verbal harassment came to light. It is a widely accepted practice to punish children, boys and girls, both in families, in schools and at the community level for teaching discipline.
According to the study, girls and boys are also raised differently from a very young age and the burden of household chores and everyday restrictions are imposed on fathers by daughters. The study says, “The mother is primarily the caretaker of the children, while the father is less involved in these things.” Men simply take the children outside, the mother only inspires children inside the house by telling them stories and lullabies/songs. ”