Parents must be mindful of choice of words on children

Dear Editor,

For so many years now, I have witnessed how some parents and some guardians consistently use nega­tive words on their children and niece.

Some parents, in their moment of anger usually use hurtful words on their children, not knowing the ramification of their behaviour.

The use of those harsh words do not only affect the children emotionally but in every aspect of their lives.

Victims of such abuses grow up feeling isolated, unloved and unwanted.

It makes them feel like they are not good enough because their parents or guardians insult and use harsh words on them every time; even when they do something which needs to be applauded.

This attitude of some parents can go as far as making the child have low self-esteem and blame him or herself for being the cause of whatever problems their parents might be going through.

I would urge parents, guardians and anyone in the position of acting as a parent, to be mindful of the kind of words they use on their children or those that they cater for.

Instead of using harsh words, they can rather use words that are encouraging and less demeaning to help enhance the self-esteem of the child.

Naomi Agyemang,

Accra.