AMERICA/MEXICO - The drama of violence and child labor, within and outside the family

Guadalajara (Agenzia Fides) - 80% of children in the state of Jalisco undergo all types of family violence, from screams to verbal abuse, from insults to cruel physical violence. 11% of children working on the streets are badly exploited. All these abuses cause serious psychological and emotional damage. Experts have found several cases of depression and stress in children already at the age of 6 months. The main and constant symptoms are anxiety disorders, depression, poor school performance, isolation, sleep problems. Many also think about or even attempt suicide, but the most common feature is that children themselves become very violent. These children are forced to work on the streets, they do not have dreams, they do not want toys, they just work to give money to their parents in order to have enough to eat. 59.4% of child workers are exploited by their own families, while about 20% are "hired" employed by strangers. In addition 7% of these small victims are used for the sex trade and prostitution, in particular there is a serious situation in the resorts. On the occasion of Children's Day, just concluded, the experts did not ask for gifts for the little ones, but affection and real commitment, since we are talking about the next generation of adults. We need to create adequate space for children working on the streets and give them the opportunity to continue to study, suitable schools for them are needed in order to welcome them, with teachers able to assist these "special cases", together with loving parents and respectful of the growth of their young ones. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 02/05/2012)