Citation

Batmanghelidjh C. Clin. Med. (Lond.) 2007; 7(5): 453-455.

Affiliation

Director of Kids Company, London. camila@kidsco.org.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Royal College of Physicians of London)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17990711

Abstract

By dismissing children who behave dangerously as 'morally flawed' society manages to place the blame for social breakdown on the most vulnerable. Children acquire the status of 'demons' and civil society is perceived as 'angelic'. In simplistic narratives the complexity is disguised. However, medical science is presenting a different paradigm. The quality of care a child receives sculpts their capacity to regulate emotion and energy. Failure of care by biological and corporate parents is forcing children to resort to savagery in order to survive corrupted inner cities. Civil society seeks power by distributing punishment, imprisonment, and sanctions. The abandoned child similarly seeks status by generating a reputation for causing harm. No one is winning. For the 'demon' and the 'angel' to partner in delivering a solution the polarisation needs to be diminished. The vulnerable child cannot solely be made responsible for adult failings.

Language: en