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As a retired psychiatrist I observe behaviours and trends. There is much that is happening at the present time that is wrong for the future health and happiness of children and teenagers - around the world.
A few reflections for the New Year 2014.
I am now 76 years of age, and until the past few years of debilitating illness, I have been busy, as a wife, mother, doctor/psychiatrist and daughter. Even during these last seven physically very limiting years. I have continued my therapeutic work by writing (‘My Books by Audrey Coatesworth’ via an internet browser).
It's New Year again, and time to make resolutions and wishes. I don’t make resolutions, as situations may stop me from keeping them, but I can make two wishes. I wish, for myself, that my family members, my husband and myself may have health in the coming year. And, globally, I wish for the health of the children in every corner of this world. Good health is something I have never really experienced in my life. I’ve had enough to ‘get by’, better at some times than others, but no true physical health, the sort that gave freedom for the outdoor activities I wanted to do. Health is far more important than wealth, but for those who have never experienced incapacitating ill health, that concept may seem alien.
Now, I know that my health is irrelevant to others who do not know me, and I only mention it in passing so that my angle on life can be understood in context.
I watch the news and I read, and increasingly despair for the future health and happiness of so many people, in particular children and teenagers. They are the future.
Abroad, there is much fighting and destruction. In many countries, where people could be healthy and have meaningful, healthy lives, these lives are being sabotaged and torn apart. Besides being ruled by corrupt and greedy people, fathers and brothers are involved in useless wars, killing and maiming innocents, and causing their children and womenfolk to suffer in the most appalling ways. For what? A religious belief? Cultural differences? Land with potential for wealth? For most I suspect, for nothing, as, if ever the fighting stops their children and wives will be totally traumatised and their land and homes ruined. It is madness on a big scale.
In many countries, children are sexually mutilated to serve some religious belief and/or cultural tradition. Little do the parents know what harm those operations are really doing to their children. The episode may be short, but, as most are done without anaesthetic, the young children will, at the very least, have a dissociated episode caused by the pain and fear of the ordeal, or, in the case of girls will be
maimed for life, or even die. I will not, in this brief article, discuss the reason for or the consequences of a dissociated episode, but I assure you, from my long psychiatric work and consequent knowledge, that it is not something to deliberately give or let happen to your children!
In the western countries, children are increasingly subjected to very early separation from their parent/s for many hours in all day nurseries, so that the core belief of being loved and cherished on a deep level cannot be created. This core belief has to develop as a slow and gradual process in the first few years. Children are increasingly being pressurized to study or compete to fulfill statistics and to be able to fight for jobs in the future market place – particularly in such countries as China. Many are losing play-‐ time and a stress free childhood by todays parenting and schooling.
With new technology, computer games, mobile phones and social websites, the increase in virtual, rather than face to face, contact and interaction means that many people are slowly losing emotional depth or never gaining emotional wealth.
The Internet, a medium with immense positive potential and use for learning and information is being used by paedophiles, pornographers, and the like, to corrupt both adult and children’s minds and, very sadly and worryingly, children are not able to be fully protected.
Drinking excess alcohol amongst teenagers is rife, becoming the norm for many. They are jeopardizing their chances of full health in future, as alcohol will begin its subtle but unforgiving damage to the brain and liver, particularly as teenager’s brains are not even yet mature. Are parents not interested in the dangers, as they must either provide the alcohol or fund this behaviour for this young age.
Despite knowledge of the dangers, unprotected and uncommitted sex is widely practiced by teenagers and accepted as 'part of what one does at that age', with possible dire consequences, both physically and emotionally.
As a retired doctor/ psychiatrist, who writes from experience and knowledge, I know that none of these avenues of behaviour lead to happy, healthy or fulfilled lives.
Children and teenagers are, in effect, becoming the victims of profit, greed and selfishness throughout the world. The parents of those affected appear to have
‘given up trying’ or reneged on their guiding and caring responsibilities. The effects are cumulative and long term, as nurturing skills are lost, health disregarded and emotional wellbeing is abandoned. Time and results cannot be undone by being replayed at a later stage. Damage is damage, whether physical or emotional.
I could continue, but I won’t.
Does any of it matter? In fact, yes, it all does.
I am not religious, quite the opposite as I abhor any form of brainwashing, but life has a purpose for each and everyone born on this earth, whatever colour, race, intelligence or location. All matter. Should that purpose be thrown away, disregarded or spoilt by others, then, not only will there will be no other chance of happiness on earth, there will not even be the opportunity of a life after death. Life on earth is the ‘testing ground’ or ‘interview platform’ for a higher cause, not just a ticket for a few privileged people who dominate the minds and behaviour of others.
Religions preach differently, and they are wrong. The suicide bombers will not meet any virgins, just retribution for the hurt they gave, nor will they be honoured after death by their God -‐ whatever they are taught. The Catholic priest cannot give anyone absolution nor will anyone who harms any child be forgiven.
Belief in any God, in itself, will not give anyone any favours or an afterlife in any heaven. It is how people behave that matters not what they believe. All people learn how to behave, from inherent qualities but also from teaching, orders and particularly the example of others.
How do I know? That is another story, but I assure you, it is all true . All will reap what they sow, if their actions were done deliberately. Will anyone listen before it is too late or the damage is irreversible?
Those interested in reading more can go to My Books website, to see/ buy my poetry books ( for all ages) and my past life book 'Beyond Mercy'. I write to continue my therapeutic work and the poems are based on that knowledge and experience - plus....
Audrey Coatesworth, retired psychiatrist.
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I would add one aspect and that is food. Access to food is related to wealth. Much of the wealth of the world has always been held by the very rich, but, in the United States there is a rapid escalation of wealth from the people to the very rich leading to more and more poverty resulting in many of the ills you describe, including hunger. It is a two-edged sword, however. Our modern food supply chain has resulted in increased obesity, leading to many health problems in countries with very little hunger like the United States and Australia and some with a lot of hunger, like Guatemala (source: the latest National Geographic). Worldwide obesity is a serious health problem that starts in childhood and ends with serious illnesses in middle-age.
Ron