Cypriot society watched in shock as footage emerged of the brutal beating of a 16-year-old in the Latsia area. The rage and brutality with which a group of young people—most of them minors—beat the 16-year-old sparked strong reactions from the public. However, if we focus solely on this video, “we’ve missed the point,” emphasizes school psychologist George Pogiatzis.
We need to address many questions arising from any such incident involving minors, adds Mr. Poyatzis, speaking on the Alpha News program.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“It could potentially be anyone’s child.”
As Mr. Poyatzis explained, what is known both from experience and the literature is that if we could speak one-on-one with the families of the children involved in the incident, they would come from all “backgrounds.”
“Some families would have no idea where their children were. Some other families would fall into what society considers “good families.” Some others would fall at the other end of the spectrum. Still others would fall somewhere in between.”
And this is important, because the children—both in this particular video and in any other similar case—“could be anyone’s children.”
Also, as he explained, among those involved, different roles emerge, and different circumstances apply.
“Some had started it. Others continued it. Those who continued may have done so for two different reasons. One was to fit in with his peers, to be accepted. The other because they didn’t know what else to do. But both perpetuated a situation. Just to give an example.”
Meanwhile, the interpretation offered by citizens is “an approach that is not the same as when an adult steps in to stop violent behavior by one adult toward another adult,” emphasizing that an adult’s understanding of responsibility differs from that of a teenager.
“The teenager—who might say something beyond the short-term and with a different meaning—might say it to create a different momentum that comes from within, to be the center of attention. Maybe. Maybe not.”
But what happens next?
Mr. Poyatzis spoke of an “exceptional law” regarding children in conflict with the law, which provides for various support measures but is not being implemented.
“In other words, in practice, an investigation is conducted, and contact is made with all the children who were involved. Who will we support through the system? Who will we support as a state? No one. All those who were involved—if they were under 16 or under 17—what will happen to them? What share of responsibility do we bear to support them in the aftermath of the situation we witnessed? Just as we bore our share of responsibility for them. Now what do we do for them? Nothing.”
He also emphasized the negative consequences that arise when a parent takes on the consequences of their child’s actions themselves, in an effort to help them.
“At the same time, however, even though each of us as parents tries, with good intentions, to do what we think is best, that doesn’t mean what we’re doing actually has the best possible outcomes for the child’s development.”
As she added, this creates a developmental situation in which the child learns that whatever they do has absolutely no impact on them.
“However, this protected environment eventually comes to an end, and at some point, the child’s responsibilities cannot be altered, shifted, or shouldered by someone else, at least on the part of the family. If this happens, we create people who are unable to function. We create unhealthy conditions for socialization, professional life, relationships, and so on.”
