Recent events and current statistics highlight that as a nation we have a serious problem when it comes to domestic violence or disrespecting girls. While there\u2019s no easy solution, together, we can do our part to stop violence against women. If you\u2019re a parent or guardian, you can play an important role. Most studies shows that a boy\u2019s disrespect towards girls generally begins in childhood.<\/p>\n
We can break the cycle by teaching our children to be respectful and caring toward all genders from a young age.<\/p>\n
Early age education about Respect<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Start by responding to your child calmly when they are disrespectful to others. The following three-step communication approach can be used from early childhood through to teen years. Let\u2019s put it into practice.<\/p>\n If a boy is making fun of his sister or a female friend:<\/p>\n Stop<\/span><\/strong>: Respond calmly rather than react asking him to stop the teasing. It\u2019s handy to have a phrase you can rely on when under pressure. For instance, \u201cStop please. That\u2019s a personal put down. We don\u2019t use put downs in this family.<\/p>\n Empathise<\/strong><\/span>: Invite your son to see the behavior through the eyes of his sister. \u2018How do you think your sister\/friend feels right now?\u2019<\/p>\n Educate<\/strong><\/span>: Provide options such as ignoring his sister or friend if she\u2019s annoying him or providing an appropriate social script he can use to communicate his thoughts such as, \u201cI find it annoying when you don\u2019t share the computer\u201d. The acronym SEE (stop, empathise, educate) will help you remember these steps.<\/p>\n Long Term Approach<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to gaining academic knowledge and learning skills, parents know it takes years of consistent effort from childhood through to adolescence. In the same way, parents can take a long-term approach to teaching life skills such as respecting women, beginning right from toddler to teen.<\/p>\n Resources<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Stop it at the Start campaign provides parents, family members and others with information and practical resources to self-reflect, and talk to boys and girls aged 10-17 about being respectful and caring. You can find videos, guides and other resources to help you have conversations with your children here.<\/p>\n There is so much we can do in families to develop healthy attitudes toward women. Through modelling and teaching we can change entrenched attitudes and behaviors that will put an end to the cycle of violence against women.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Recent events and current statistics highlight that as a nation we have a serious problem when it comes to domestic violence or disrespecting girls. While there\u2019s no easy solution, together, we can do our part to stop violence against women. If you\u2019re a parent or guardian, you can play an important role. Most studies shows […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5287,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[133],"tags":[113,114,115,121,125,134,135,105,136,111,142,112,153],"yoast_head":"\n