Many Disturbed Children

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30760, 26 May 1965, Page 2

Many Disturbed Children

There were many children in Christchurch suffering from emotional disturbances caused by tensions in the home, Dr. E. M. A. Glennie, of the Health Department, told the annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Society for Protection of Home and Family yesterday.

“It is very easy to get married, but remaining happily married is one of the great arts. So many young people are unaware of what marriage involves,” she said. “Many do not seem to have any moral values, and few realise whether their feelings are more than physical attraction.”

Dr. Glennie said the programme of edcation for family life carried out in schools attempted to teach youngsters that if they wanted the privileges of adulthood they must be ready to accept the responsibilities.

Companionship, affection, trust and understanding were most important in marriage, but young people made the mistake of placing too much emphasis on sex. “We wonder why there are so many unhappy homes,” she said. “Marriage entered into because of pregnancy is often a cause.”

Spending the family income on alcohol also caused tension in a home. ‘There are many young married men in New Zealand who are not prepared to give up their half-gallon jars, and usually it is the children who suffer,” she said. Many Factors One in every 14 persons who drank alcohol might become alcoholics. During discussions with young people it was stressed that not only the drinker was affected, but the whole family, Dr. Glennie said. There were many other things which could cause unhappiness in the home, and they must be considered before marriage. “Home environment, and a parent’s attitude determines the type of adult into which the child will develop,” she said.

“It is surprising how many, parents have no idea of what to expect from children. Some expect too much, and are overambitious, producing feelings of strong anxiety in the child. Others do not allow the child to assume any responsibilities.” However, there were many facilities available in New Zealand to assist parents, Dr. Glennie said. The services of the Plunket Society were becoming even more valuable because with the trend towards smaller families older children received less training in looking after the younger ones, and entered marriage with little idea of how to bring up a family. Early Tests The tests carried out for hearing and vision by the Plunket Society early in the child’s life were of great inv portance to his emotional development. In many cases where a parent had complained of a child’s behaviour, it had been found that he was in need of special treatment. At.'-idance at play centres was beneficial as playing was important in the child’s emotional development. Speaking of the school-age child, Dr. Glennie said teachers were now becoming more aware of problems caused by tension in the home, realising that that was often the reason for a pupil’s slow progress.

"There seem to be more emotionally maladjusted children today than ever before,” said Dr. Glennie, “but this may be because we are more aware of them. The health clinics do a wonderful job helping these children, although it is difficult to obtain psychiatrists. Assistance

The assistance various organisations gave children who were physically and mentally handicapped was invaluable. “Until you have a child who is not able to care for himself it is impossible to know the problems which arise,” she said. “Many parents do not want to give up their children, but

face even greater difficulties when the child grows up.” Dr. Glennie said many parents would go anywhere to get help, and expressed the hope that the Family Life Education Council, which has its inaugural meeting on June 3, would succeed in its aim to promote co-ordination and understanding between these organisations. Officers elected were:— President, Mrs A. H. Alexander; vice-president, Mr A. W. Menner; committee, Mesdames T. Bradford, M. Griffiths, M. Healey, Major M. Love, A. L. Mardon, P. Owens, Brigadier J, Wilkes; secretary-treasurer, Mrs L. I. Cattell; advisory officer, Mrs C. Truman.