Press Centre 2004/12/10: Child Protection
Children Under Threat of Violence (2)
Canser Karadaş speaks about ‘Children Under Threat of Violence’ on the occasion of the launch of The State of the World’s Children 2005, Children Under Threat
Media plays an important role in increasing violence by making untrue, biased assertions. Big pictures of murders published in the newspapers turn such murders into everyday events.
Photograph © UNICEF Turkey 2004
I am very pleased to be here and to be able to express my views on violence. Before I begin, I would like to thank you for giving each of us this opportunity to speak.
Violence
Violence is cruelty -- the use of force in place of conviction and agreement. We call violence terrorism
when it is used for political purposes. Violence by an individual for profit is called coercion or theft or Mafia
if it is by an organised gang or group.
Individuals or groups using violence may do so for gain, to force their will, to get a reaction or to achieve a result.
We witness violence in various areas.
Educational reasons
The combination of a poor education system and the hotheadedness of youth are among the most important reasons for violence. Problems in the education system drive young people to rebel. Likewise a fanatical education system, as well as an inconsistent or sub-standard education breeds individuals who consider any belief other than their own to be treachery and who are ready to kill people for their country.
Media, sports and traffic also contribute to violence.
Media plays an important role in increasing violence by making untrue, biased assertions. Big pictures of murders published in the newspapers turn such murders into everyday events. Because it is visual, TV has more influence on people.
Many TV serials and movies feature violence. Leading actors in the most popular serials portray violence, gain the love of the public and even set an example. Even in one commercial for a white goods company, an actor representing the customer is slapped on the face, and in another beverage commercial something is thrown at a customer. Children’s heroes in cartoon films use violence. This has an adverse effect on children who are at a sensitive stage of development.
Violence in sport
Our playing fields have become battle arenas where supporters don’t go to watch a game played by rules but to do battle instead -- shouting we came to die
. The death of a 17-year-old supporter, during a match between major soccer teams last November, is a very unfortunate example.
Sports are games and all the players follow the same rules. Although every player wants to win, it should not be forgotten that while there is the possibility of winning, there is also the possibility of losing or drawing even.
Also, the continuity of the game is more important than drawing, i.e. the competitive spirit of the game. This is why competition in daily life is referred to as sporting competition
, when equal rules are applied in a fair manner.
Some people, who do not have the skill or inclination to compete in any subject, take part in the game vicariously by supporting clubs and teams. They don’t see it as a game but as a war of existence with the opposing team in the role of an enemy -- not a competitor. When a team is beaten, they are disqualified from the tournament. However, when enemies are beaten, they often lose their lives.
So we have those who, not having much of a chance to compete in real life or who don’t have a sportsmanlike perspective on life, going to matches with guns and the desire to kill rival supporters if necessary. They are turning an otherwise wholesome game into a violent fight. Such events are not only seen in our country: qualifications 33,384 people were arrested for hooliganism during the 1997-1998 European Cup.
Violence in traffic
We can see violence in traffic at any time in our lives. In almost every vehicle, there is a club, a sharp tool or even a loaded gun ready for use in a fight. People who prepare themselves with such weapons, violating the law and traffic regulations to cause fatal accidents in the believe that they are superior to others.
Breaking the law demonstrates that the culture of citizenship is not established. Some even enjoy violating the rules by risking their own and other people’s lives. They think that in doing so they prove their superiority -- which in fact demonstrates a feeling of inferiority deep down.
Thank you very much.
View the State of the World’s Children report online or order printed copies from UNICEF Headquarters in New York.
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OTHER PRESS RELEASES ON CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES
- Press Launch for the State of the World’s Children 2005 in Ankara
- Mrs Emine Erdoğan’s Speech at the launch of the State of the World’s Children 2005 in Ankara
- Panel Discussion of the theme: Children under Threat of Violence in Turkey:
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