Defeating violence with tenderness

Thursday, February 19, 2015

By Victor Martinez | Regional Communications Officer  World Vision Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office

The puzzle in LAC is about violence

To promote life in all its fullness for children, World Vision in Latin America and the Caribbean has been solving the ‘puzzle of poverty’ since 1977, through holistic programs. Although these efforts provide hope to families and communities, solving the puzzle of poverty in the region calls urgently for building up efforts to tackle violence against children, adolescents and youth, especially the most vulnerable.

The facts

According to the study “Child Protection Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean” carried out by World Vision in 2013-2014, it is clear that the primary site of violence against children is the home. Through prolonged absences in their children’s lives, lack of displays of affection toward them, and by mistreating them directly or by failing to report cases of abuse, many times mothers, fathers, and other guardians are the ones who most hurt children and violate their rights. Most of violent individuals come from broken homes, where domestic violence was the daily experience in their lives.

“It is the comprehensive regional approach to child development. It describes a theoretical proposal, which is scientifically proven, that believes in tenderness as a way to support children and eradicate violence." ~ Anna Grellert, LAC Regional Advisor on Children in Development

The second place is the school. Children indicated being subject to violence and bullying perpetuated by teachers as well as by their peers. Sexual assault and abuse occur in both the home and at school with adolescent girls most acutely affected. In many countries in the region, sex, sexual health, and reproductive health are considered taboo and education on these topics is not provided in schools.

The solution

World Vision has decided to prioritize efforts to contribute to the prevention and response to all other forms of violence against children, at different levels of the society. At family and community level, World Vision is promoting the new approach called “raising children with tenderness,” which is an activity and also an approach across program interventions, so that children may experience the love of God, enjoy positive relationships with peers and family and community members. “For a child, the clearest reflection of God’s love is the love of the person who takes care of him/her. This will impact his/her life forever” says Michele Gonzalez-Mendia, WVUS Senior Regional Advisor on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Raising children with Tenderness is about:

Cultivating loving relationships between caregivers and children:

  • Building unbreakable relationships based on trust and dignity
  • Fostering empathy and reciprocity as principles for daily living
“I learned that if I give love and tenderness to my daughter, she will be a good professional in the future” ~ Carlos, father of an elementary school student

Building capacity to love self, neighbor and God

  • Affirming child’s identity as God’s creation to serve their community
  • Mentoring children to discover their vocation and realize their purpose of life

You and me and everyone

  • Ensuring physical and emotional safe places for children to flourish
  • Organizing communities to provide a safe environment for children to grow by changing discipline patterns based on violence
  • Advocating for transforming structures and systems that keep children from reaching their God-given potential
  • Mobilizing of the whole society to foster a culture of raising children with love

World Vision in Action

In Guatemala, more than 24,000 parents have been trained to better love themselves and to how effectively demonstrate love to their children through caring relationships. In Peru, 300 families and 430 adolescent students became specialists; in Ecuador, more than 605 people have participated; and the efforts continue on.

"Tenderness is present in all individuals. It must be exercised in all areas, and should build friendship and empathy with others. If this is achieved, Latin America and the Caribbean will be a region where children foster trusting relationships with their parents and family, and where conflicts are solved through dialogue and peace,” said Anna Grellert, LAC Regional Advisor on Children in Development