Conscious Parenting: A Scientific Approach to Childcare

The text addresses the unavoidable presence of violence, focusing on child abuse, a global public health problem that affects children of all races, religions, and social classes. According to the WHO (2020), 1 in 5 women and 1 in 13 men have suffered some form of abuse during their childhood. Additionally, thousands of children under 15 have died due to homicide, excluding armed conflicts. Child abuse, often justified as discipline, gives a false sense of power to parents. From a psychoanalytic perspective, Freud and Lacan suggest that aggression and hostility are innate human impulses. Freud (1985) identifies a mix of Eros (life instinct) and Thanatos (death instinct) in these tendencies, while Lacan (1971) attributes violence to the breakdown of social bonds. Although culture and sublimation attempt to contain these impulses, repressed violence tends to resurface. Childhood trauma, linked by Freud to the development of hysteria, is also associated with obsessive-compulsive neuroses when traumatic events cannot be properly symbolized, deeply affecting the child's development. Psychological assessment has evolved from Plato and Aristotle to modern studies that consider individual differences and mental processes. Francis Galton and James McKeen Cattell were pioneers in the creation of psychological tests. The protection and safety of children in their family and social environments are essential for their emotional and mental development. Studies show that parenting based on affection and proper care is crucial for healthy growth. Intergenerational teaching and the quality of parental relationships significantly influence the development of children. A lack of adequate parenting skills can perpetuate violence and negatively affect child development. The knowledge and practice of respectful parenting, which involves affection and respect, are essential to breaking the cycle of abuse.