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- Tuesday, April 14, 2009
- Psychosocial Health of Palestinian Children (5-17 years old)
- Published at:Not Found
In all societies, children are one of the basic pillars and a source of interest and concern. They are the future potential of prosperity, hope, progress and development. Palestinian children represent 50% of the population. Therefore, they represent a big challenge levels especially to policy planners and decision makers as well as to those concerned with their psychosocial life. This paper, based on a survey administered in Palestine by Palestinian Central Bureau of statistics, deals with the Palestinian children(5-17)s, psychological reality over a critical and sensitive period of time. It was found that all were suffering from a negative psychological attitude. More than 30% were exposed to violence. Male children were more exposed to violence than females: 34% as opposed to 26%. The family was found to be the source of violence for 68% of them. Other sources of violence were friends, teachers and Israeli occupation soldiers. As a result of this violence, physical and verbal, children resorted to breaking thing, smoking, drugs, beating.
Despite this uncomfortable environment, children did not receive their due counseling and support. Children did not also find any recreational facilitaties to reduce their suffering and adjust their behavior.
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