Almost 400 million children below the age of five endure violent physical or psychological discipline at home, as per the latest estimates by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced on Monday (June 10).
UNICEF reports that approximately 60 percent of all children under five globally are subjected to some form of violent discipline at home.
This recent estimate is based on data gathered between 2010 and 2023 from 100 countries, encompassing both “physical punishment” and “psychological aggression.”
Types of psychological and physical abuse
According to UNICEF, psychological abuse includes actions like yelling at a child or calling them derogatory names such as stupid or lazy. Physical abuse can involve acts like shaking, hitting, or spanking a child, intended to inflict pain or discomfort without causing injury.
Out of the nearly 400 million children impacted by harsh home discipline, approximately 330 million suffer from physical punishment. Despite the growing number of bans on corporal punishment globally, AFP notes that almost 500 million children under five are still not legally protected against such practices. UNICEF highlights that over one in four parents or adults responsible for children believe that physical punishment is essential for a proper upbringing.
“When children are subjected to physical or verbal abuse at home, or when they are deprived of social and emotional care from their loved ones, it can undermine their sense of self-worth and development,” stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
She emphasized that “Nurturing and playful parenting can bring joy and also help children feel safe, learn, build skills, and navigate the world around them.”
In conjunction with the first International Day of Play on June 11, UNICEF also released findings on children’s access to play.
Data from 85 countries showed that one in two children at age four cannot engage in play with their caregiver at home, and about one in eight children under five lack toys entirely.
UNICEF estimates that 40 percent of children aged two to four do not receive sufficient stimulation or meaningful interaction at home. Additionally, one in ten children does not have access to activities essential for their cognitive, social, and emotional growth, such as reading, storytelling, singing, and drawing.
“On the first International Day of Play, we must unite and recommit to ending violence against children and promoting positive, nurturing, and playful caregiving,” Russell urged.