Caritas Provides Positive Parenting Training

Child Rearing – Positive Parenting Training:

Child-rearing practices in Lebanon are characterized by the severe discipline imposed by the father and overprotection by the mother, who strives to compensate for the strictness of the father. In Arab society parental control continues as long as the child lives in the father's home or until the child marries. Children are not trained to be autonomous, and expect their father to care for them as long as they are devoted and obedient. Punishment can be in the form of intimidation (takhjil, literally to incite fear and shame) or physical punishment. Children are massively exposed to violence in Lebanon resulting in desensitization, which may habituate them to admit violence as normal and put them at risk for reproducing violent behaviours. More than 96% parents report using moderate or severe physical disciplinary approach with their children. The rate of child neglect is 24.7%. The high use of physical punishment is due to the widespread perception of physical punishment as an acceptable and effective form of discipline.

Training of 34 social workers (under the Social department) on child-rearing good practices and effective parenting (TOT) will be provided by a Lebanese specialist.  Training will tackle different topics as different stages of child development, positive discipline (distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, etc.);  effective communication (How to talk to your children so that they will listen to you, active listening, etc.), problems and conflict solving (how to resolve conflicts and problems in the family so that no one loses and problems stay solved; methods for troubleshooting family problems and knowing which skills to use to solve them; handling values collisions.); learning disabilities; behavioural disorders; and sexual education.

The social workers who will receive trainings belong to served communities. The project is based on the needs of the local communities reported by social workers working in CL’s regional social centers (Sectors). Local social workers, once trained, will contribute in the development and support of their communities, 

reinforcing their resilience and capacity to provide care to the most vulnerable members of the society.

• Staff selected for training will work with families/ beneficiaries/caregivers belonging to the various local communities.
• Working with one family caregiver will allow transfer of knowledge and know how among other family members, including intergenerational transfer through imitation of successful behavior
• Positive parenting can have lasting impact for generations. In fact, positive parenting, not only has positive impacts on adolescents, but on the way they parent their own children.
• Awareness sessions and group discussions will continue to be provided by social workers in the centers/Sectors.
• The distribution of pamphlets will enhance memory retention and recall processes
• Training materials will be centralized within CL’s Social Department and HR Department and diffused to all concerned staff.
• Trainings’ key messages will be displayed in the centers/sector
• Organization of awareness sessions and support group discussions for parents and other children caregivers within communities. These sessions will be provided by the trained social workers.