Children's Play in the shadows of War
Daniel Feldman
War and children's play are two things that do not mix; yet in Syria, children have been facing this for years. Play is one of the fundamental rights children have in life but this is being threatened by the constant danger the war has brought onto them. It has become so serious that Syria has passed a law on war interfering with children's play. Now children have been driven underground in a project called "The Land of Childhood" to protect them from the trauma and danger of the ongoing war. The leader of this project has stated, "play is a precious and essential activity crucial to their healthy development and psychological well-being"(Feldman 295). The adults in charge understand the impact play has on children or the lack thereof, they try to combat this by providing safe places for them to express themselves and just be children. The trauma of war can have a lasting impression on children causing them to develop PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Some children have already begun experiencing trauma Space for Hope caregivers have seen children imitate the stressful events they witness. Syrian children play games such as social workers or rebel commanders where they reenact what they have seen. In Syria child's play is still being threatened by rebels who want to bring children into the war.
Feldman, D. (2019). Children’s Play in the Shadow of War. American Journal of Play, 11(3), 288–307. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.lib.uconn.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1220280&site=ehost-live
Its unfortunate that young children have to go through such things. Play is absolutely important in the development of a child and i do believe war is a disturbance to the development of a young child. PTSD is not a surprise but its very upsetting, i would assume many of these kids would develop PTSD.
ReplyDeletePlay is an essential part in child development. Do you think that there will ever be a time where these children will no interruptions from the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad that children in Syria dont have their born right to play. The mental health effects of seeing war are dentrumental.
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