Majority believes in corporal punishment
Child abuse and neglect common in Namibia
The majority of Namibians approve of parents using physical force to discipline their children.
More than half of Namibians believe parents are justified in using physical force to discipline their children, at least on some occasions.
This is according to the most recent Afrobarometer survey, which indicates that only four in 10 Namibians say the practice is not justified.
According to the survey, 57% of Namibians believe that it is either always justified or sometimes justified for parents to discipline their children using physical force, while 41% consider it is never justified.
Almost half (47%) of Namibians say physical disciplining of children is very frequent or somewhat frequent in their communities, while 42% report that child abuse and neglect occur very frequently or somewhat frequently in their communities.
“Views are similarly divided on other aspects of child wellbeing, with four in 10 citizens reporting that child abuse and neglect are widespread in their communities and half saying school-age children are frequently not attending school.”
Not in school
The survey indicates that more urbanites than rural residents see both child abuse and neglect (47% vs. 37%) and out-of-school children (52% vs. 45%) as frequent occurrences.
According to the survey the view that using physical force to discipline children is justified slightly more in cities than in rural areas (59% vs. 55%).
It says that urbanites are significantly more likely than rural residents to report that adults frequently use physical force to discipline their children (52% vs. 39%).
Meanwhile a majority of Namibians are confident that people in their communities can secure help for abused, mistreated or neglected children.
“They also say that help and support are also available for children with children with physical disabilities and for adults with mental health problems.”
Slim majorities say that help and support are available in their communities for children who are abused or neglected (55%), with 56% that believe help is available for children with physical disabilities and 53% that says it is available for children and adults with mental or emotional problems.
Residents in urban areas report better access to support services than their rural counterparts for children with physical disabilities (62% vs. 51%) and for children and adults with mental or emotional problems (56% vs. 51%).
This is according to the most recent Afrobarometer survey, which indicates that only four in 10 Namibians say the practice is not justified.
According to the survey, 57% of Namibians believe that it is either always justified or sometimes justified for parents to discipline their children using physical force, while 41% consider it is never justified.
Almost half (47%) of Namibians say physical disciplining of children is very frequent or somewhat frequent in their communities, while 42% report that child abuse and neglect occur very frequently or somewhat frequently in their communities.
“Views are similarly divided on other aspects of child wellbeing, with four in 10 citizens reporting that child abuse and neglect are widespread in their communities and half saying school-age children are frequently not attending school.”
Not in school
The survey indicates that more urbanites than rural residents see both child abuse and neglect (47% vs. 37%) and out-of-school children (52% vs. 45%) as frequent occurrences.
According to the survey the view that using physical force to discipline children is justified slightly more in cities than in rural areas (59% vs. 55%).
It says that urbanites are significantly more likely than rural residents to report that adults frequently use physical force to discipline their children (52% vs. 39%).
Meanwhile a majority of Namibians are confident that people in their communities can secure help for abused, mistreated or neglected children.
“They also say that help and support are also available for children with children with physical disabilities and for adults with mental health problems.”
Slim majorities say that help and support are available in their communities for children who are abused or neglected (55%), with 56% that believe help is available for children with physical disabilities and 53% that says it is available for children and adults with mental or emotional problems.
Residents in urban areas report better access to support services than their rural counterparts for children with physical disabilities (62% vs. 51%) and for children and adults with mental or emotional problems (56% vs. 51%).
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Namibian Sun
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