Stressed out: Wrong priorities harming children
By Suganthi Suparmaniam, Laviinia Dhanangunan and Ili Liyana Mokhtar
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Four children go missing every day. One in three children has mental health problems.One in 11 children scored straight As in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah this year.
These figures and the growing legion of obese children, with rising cases of Type 2 diabetes, high-blood pressure and high cholesterol level, have got experts wondering whether Malaysians have got their priorities right -- focusing on educational excellence to the detriment of the children's safety and health. (See fact file on page 2)
null
They are questioning if the misplaced focus could be the cause of the woes facing children.
The medical profession has blamed parents' indulgence for the growing number of obese children and health problems such as diabetes, high-blood pressure and high cholesterol level.
Sri Murugan Centre director and founder Datuk Dr M. Thambirajah said everything began with the family unit.
He said in the past, teachers took it upon themselves to play the dual role of educator and parent.
"But today, because of the workload and pressure to perform, they can no longer play the dual role. It is unfair to expect that from them."
Thambirajah said children from middle-class families faced competition every day in examinations, piano lessons, art classes and others. He said these children faced stress.
Human Dynamic child counsellor Wong Yee Men agreed that children were stressed out these days, but disagreed that this problem was confined to middle-class families.
"Today, both parents have their own careers. Children want their parents to spend time with them, period."
Wong said she had seen an increase in referral cases from parents, teachers and counsellors for children with behavioural problems, learning difficulties or even emotional blockages.
"I feel the root problem lies with the parents."
Wong said parents often brought back their "baggage" from work and this would have an adverse impact on the child's life.
"For example, because of a bad day at work, the parent could have snapped at the child over a simple matter like watching television. This will stress out the child."
Children's safety has also become a crucial issue.
With more than 8,000 children reported missing over the last five years and more than 500 in the first six months of this year, experts are wringing their hands on what can be done.
Even the missing children alert system remains just a proposal.
Health-wise, our children are not doing too good, either.
Children as young as 7 are developing Type 2 diabetes as a result of their couch-potato lifestyle and high-calorie food.
Hospital Putrajaya, the referral hospital for diabetes cases in the country, has been recording an "alarming" increase in the number of cases.
Hospital Putrajaya paediatrics department head Dr Fuziah Md Zain said children with a propensity for Type 2 diabetes were usually the youngest in the family.
"We believe that because the youngest child is usually the pet in the family, parents give in to their demands for high-calorie food."
(Page 1 of 2)
By Suganthi Suparmaniam, Laviinia Dhanangunan and Ili Liyana Mokhtar
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Four children go missing every day. One in three children has mental health problems.One in 11 children scored straight As in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah this year.
These figures and the growing legion of obese children, with rising cases of Type 2 diabetes, high-blood pressure and high cholesterol level, have got experts wondering whether Malaysians have got their priorities right -- focusing on educational excellence to the detriment of the children's safety and health. (See fact file on page 2)
null
They are questioning if the misplaced focus could be the cause of the woes facing children.
The medical profession has blamed parents' indulgence for the growing number of obese children and health problems such as diabetes, high-blood pressure and high cholesterol level.
Sri Murugan Centre director and founder Datuk Dr M. Thambirajah said everything began with the family unit.
He said in the past, teachers took it upon themselves to play the dual role of educator and parent.
"But today, because of the workload and pressure to perform, they can no longer play the dual role. It is unfair to expect that from them."
Thambirajah said children from middle-class families faced competition every day in examinations, piano lessons, art classes and others. He said these children faced stress.
Human Dynamic child counsellor Wong Yee Men agreed that children were stressed out these days, but disagreed that this problem was confined to middle-class families.
"Today, both parents have their own careers. Children want their parents to spend time with them, period."
Wong said she had seen an increase in referral cases from parents, teachers and counsellors for children with behavioural problems, learning difficulties or even emotional blockages.
"I feel the root problem lies with the parents."
Wong said parents often brought back their "baggage" from work and this would have an adverse impact on the child's life.
"For example, because of a bad day at work, the parent could have snapped at the child over a simple matter like watching television. This will stress out the child."
Children's safety has also become a crucial issue.
With more than 8,000 children reported missing over the last five years and more than 500 in the first six months of this year, experts are wringing their hands on what can be done.
Even the missing children alert system remains just a proposal.
Health-wise, our children are not doing too good, either.
Children as young as 7 are developing Type 2 diabetes as a result of their couch-potato lifestyle and high-calorie food.
Hospital Putrajaya, the referral hospital for diabetes cases in the country, has been recording an "alarming" increase in the number of cases.
Hospital Putrajaya paediatrics department head Dr Fuziah Md Zain said children with a propensity for Type 2 diabetes were usually the youngest in the family.
"We believe that because the youngest child is usually the pet in the family, parents give in to their demands for high-calorie food."
(Page 1 of 2)