4 in 5 children surveyed aged 1-14 years say they experienced any type of violent discipline over the previous month of the survey

4 in 5 children surveyed aged 1-14 years say they experienced any type of violent discipline over the previous month of the survey

By Vijay Narayan
04/08/2022
Photo:UNICEF

In one month prior to a survey, four in five children (81 percent) surveyed aged 1-14 years experienced any type of violent discipline.

This is based on the Fiji Bureau of Statistics Fiji Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) which was carried out in 2021 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and other government ministries, as part of the Global MICS Programme.

The survey says children living in the poorest households (86 percent) are more likely to experience violent discipline compared to children living in the richest households (66 percent).

Boys aged 1 to 14 years and those living in rural areas are most susceptible to violent discipline.

Overall, 7 in 10 children aged 1-14 years experienced physical punishment; out of which one in eight (13 per cent) experienced severe physical punishment.

Over half of mothers or caregivers in Fiji feel that physical punishment is necessary to raise or educate children.

The mothers or caregivers from both the rural areas (60 percent) and from the poorest households (72 percent) have a more accepting attitude towards physical punishment.

Physical punishment was defined as shaking, hitting or slapping a child on the hand/arm/leg, hitting on the bottom or elsewhere on the body with a hard object, spanking or hitting on the bottom with a bare hand, hitting or slapping on the face, head or ears, and hitting or beating hard and repeatedly. Severe physical punishment is defined as hitting or slapping a child on the face, head or ears, and hitting or beating a child hard and repeatedly.

Psychological aggression is defined as shouting, yelling or screaming at a child, as well as calling a child offensive names such as ‘dumb’ or ‘lazy’.

Violent discipline is any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression.

The survey also says among children aged 10-14 years, 58 percent demonstrate foundational numeracy skills which is comparatively lower than demonstrated foundational reading skills at 83 percent.

Among adolescents aged 15-19 years, 40 percent of girls and 36 percent of boys, are regularly engaged in computer related tasks that support the development of ICT skills.

The survey also states that the school attendance rate decreases as the levels of education increase; this is more pronounced for boys as compared to girls.

FEATURE NEWS
Prof. Prasad calls for unity and swift justice after Shiv Temple sacrilege
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says he is absolutely disgusted by the sacrilegious act at the Shiv Temple in S...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Cement supply normalises as Pacific Cement resumes production after successful mill repairs
Good news for the construction industry as cement supply in the market is now normalized. While providing an update on its subsidiary Pacific ...
42 minutes ago

Singh condemns vandalism at Samabula Shiv Temple
Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh says he is deeply concerned and saddened by the recent act of vandalism at the Samabula Shiv ...
3 hours ago

Burger King provides $30,000 to support education for needy children
Thousands of underprivileged children in Fiji are one step closer to accessing better education, thanks to a generous $30,000 donation from Burger ...
17 hours ago

Man arrested for allegedly destroying idols at Samabula Sanatan Shiv Mandir in broad daylight
A man has been arrested and is being questioned for allegedly entering and destroying idols at the Sanatan Shiv Mandir in Samabula in broad ...
17 hours ago

Specialised cane harvester for hilly terrain to arrive soon
Specialized hilly terrain cane harvester will soon arrive in Fiji as part of a research and development project under the Sugar Research Institute of ...
18 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
3 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
5 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
8 days ago

TOP