Children can feel tensions between parents...
The anxiety caused by the prolonged economic crisis takes a toll on family relationships in many households and children stand to be the most affected, according to a recent caution from by a specialist in child development and family welfare.
“Families that are going through financial challenges tend to face a number of events that irreparably and negatively impact children,” noted Doctor Lenna Ontai of the University of California Davis, in a recent interview.
Ontai said that the emotional welfare of children often worsens as their parents’ relationships deteriorate, as is happening in many families as a consequence of the economic instability that has raised the unemployment rate throughout the country.
“When parents start arguing and show hostility toward each other, those arguments also irreparably harm the relationship each of them has with their children,” Ontai said.
The social impact from the chaos in family relationships is often serious.
“We start to see more violence, drug addiction, alcoholism, more dangerous behaviors — and all those things are later reflected in children,” said Ontai.
Medical professionals have a some prior experience to tap into as they attempt to discern what’s going on with families in today’s recession, Ontai said. She pointed to a trend detected among a large number of families due 30 years ago when the so-called “Farm Crisis” wreaked economic havoc in agricultural areas of the U.S.
Valuable lessons came from that crisis, including clear indicators that economic adversity is best overcome through family unity.
“In the studies carried out in the last 30 years, it has been proven that the best way in which a family can really overcome a crisis is basically going in together and working as a team,” Ontai said. “The adults in the home should focus on maintaining a positive relationship between them, no matter if there is money or not.”
Ontai advised any parents facing economic strains to analyze their financial problems and seek realistic solutions with as much optimism as possible.
“We should understand that we’re going through pretty stressful times, and that we have to work together to get through them,” she said. “That, in itself, has a great protective effect on children.”
Ontai said that family cohesion helps to prove that money is not indispensable for obtaining happiness.
“The families that understand that, that can find ways to have fun with their children without spending money, are families that will come out of the economic crisis better,” she added. “Take advantage of recreational activities that don’t cost money and do them with the family — that is very important.”
Spending time together with family is much more important for children’s well-being, Ontai said, because it can provide the sort of emotional support they need from their parents.
“The most important thing that parents can give their children is their time; walking together, riding a bicycle or playing ball for 10-15 minutes. Any of these pastimes really help the child and the whole family in difficult times,” Ontai maintains.
Adults may benefit the most of that time shared with the family are recreational activities that involve physical activity, according to Ontai. She said that individuals and families who regularly practice a physical activity tend to enjoy better physical and mental health, which in turn helps them to be better prepared to find solutions for all types of problems.
“Therefore, breath deeply, learn to relax, and you will find that you can face difficult times in a more positive way.”
Alberto Hauffen is a writer for Impulso.
Photo of Dr. Ontai by Impulso; photo for story collage from Wikimedia Commons
