Around 63 percent of Romanian children say their parents beat them. But only 38 percent of parents admit to meting out corporal punishment to their kids, according to Save the Children Romania. The organization's study paints a “disturbing picture,” said the CEO of Save the Children Romania, Gabriela Alexandrescu.

The results of the study were referred to in a press conference held yesterday (March 19 ) to launch Save the Children's campaign Copiii fără etichetă/Children Without Labels.

The results of the study seem to show many disturbing trends. Some 86 percent of children surveyed say their teachers tell them off at school. Perhaps more worryingly, 20 percent of the parents questioned in the study say they think of beating as positive educational tool that benefits children. The research also suggested that 18 percent of children had been beaten with a stick or something similar, 13 percent had had a lashing with a belt and 8 percent named the wooden spoon as their parents' implement of choice.

Gabriela Alexandrescu highlighted some of the almost universally held professional opinions on the effects of violence on children, which include low self-esteem, a predilection to violence, problems in forming relationships and increased likelihood to physically abuse others when in adulthood.

The study was commissioned ahead of a planned Save the Children campaign against violence in the family. Beating children has been outlawed in Romania since 2004 but the study suggests that it is still common practice in the country's households.

In schools, it appears that many teachers resort to emotional abuse and verbal humiliation of children. However, some 7 percent of children said their teachers had hit them, while for children of Roma ethnicity, this figure rises to 14 percent.

Save the Children Romania carried out the study last year using focus groups and interviews. The survey included 1,436 families in 58 villages in Romania.

editor@romania-insider.com

photo source: Photoxpress.com