Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
How Should I Raise My Child (Part 6)
Factors of Children’s Deviance and How to Deal with Them
Today, the factors and causes of deviation, misguidance, and moral corruption in our children have increased in ways that are unimaginable. The youth of today’s society are walking in a mire of sin and corruption; false attractions dominate their minds and souls, surrounding them with deviant influences from all sides. In order to deal with these issues, dear parents should have a clear understanding of these causes and recognize their responsibility toward their children. This awareness enables them to prevent this modern-day disaster with a sense of commitment and correct understanding. Otherwise, today’s generation will become increasingly delinquent and misguided.
Here, we discuss the most important causes of deviation and misguidance in children:
1. Poverty
Food and clothing are the most basic needs of every human being. A child born into a household overshadowed by poverty and deprivation, and who is not provided with adequate food and clothing, may soon take refuge outside his home, seeking any means to fulfill his basic necessities. This situation makes him vulnerable to the traps of criminals, surrounding him with an aura of misguidance and deviance. Eventually, he may be recognized in society as a criminal, posing a danger to the life, property, and honor of others.
The extensive and all-encompassing justice legislation of Islam has established specific methods to fight against poverty and provide the minimum facilities necessary for every person in society. To achieve this goal, Islam utilizes practical methods to ensure that every human being is afforded a decent life that is their right. Key measures include providing jobs for every member of society, addressing the needs of orphans and the elderly, and ensuring livelihood for families. By creating balance within the societal system, these rules provide suitable living conditions for every person, provided they are implemented and adapted to the different stages and qualities of society. If these points are overlooked, negative consequences such as crime and deviance will permeate the society, and poverty and deprivation will persist in all their manifestations.
2. Parents’ Disagreements and Quarrels
Another significant factor that contributes to children’s deviance is conflict and disagreement between parents. In families where the destructive fire of arguments and the ominous darkness of permanent differences overshadow family members, children from the moment they open their eyes perceive hostility and conflict. To find peace of mind, they may run away from home to seek friends with whom they can spend their free time and find the love and friendship they lack.
If these friends are bad influences, they can gradually lead the child astray, pushing them toward low morals and unhealthy habits until they become youths who are engulfed in crime. Timely intervention is crucial. With its wise and calculated laws, Islam has provided a clear framework for men and women to choose a spouse. By making informed choices based on predetermined principles, they can foster love and understanding in their future lives, thereby avoiding numerous family problems and conflicts.
3. Bad Friends and Misleading Influences
Among the fundamental factors leading to a child’s deviance are bad friends and corrupt companions. When a person is not mentally and ideologically sound, they can be easily influenced by a bad friend. They quickly acquire degenerate morals and immoral habits from these negative influences, and soon find themselves on a path of misery. Over time, crime and wrongdoing may become ingrained in their nature, making it difficult to break free from these habits.
One important point that parents should consider in raising their children is to monitor and control their friendships. This concern becomes even more critical during their youth and adolescence; parents should consistently oversee their children’s relationships and behaviors, guiding them to choose friends wisely and cultivate good habits. Additionally, parents should warn their children against associating with bad influences to prevent them from falling into the trap of misguidance and deviance.
Continues…
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