The nature of the unbiased child and the development of prejudice-childcare programs with refugees in Croatia, Sweden, and the USA

La naturaleza del niño hecho imparcial y el desarrollo de programas de cuidado prejuiciado de niños refugiados en Croacia, Suecia y los EUA

Children have the natural ability to explore their environment with openness, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. Every encounter becomes an opportunity to develop new skills and to discover life. Discrimination by race, religion, or ethnicity is something that is taught by family members and communities. Prejudice is injurious to all, creates difficulties in the acceptance of a new culture, and interrupts the healing process. Body language, tone of voice, and facial gestures can communicate acceptance and love, or fear and hatred. Racial and cultural prejudice creates an environment where it is not safe for the child to express feelings, needs, or desires. It is an important part of rehabilitation to help the child trust his/her natural and spontaneous form of expression.

This presentation will explore the relationship between the natural tendency that children have to bond with each other regardless of race or culture, and the influence of parental and institutional prejudice. We will be examining the behavior of children in 3 different treatment programs. One group was part of a program in a refugee camp in Croatia. The children were ages 3-12 with different ethnic backgrounds of the former Yugoslavia. Another group was part of a cross-cultural treatment program for refugees in Sweden with children ages 5-7 years old from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The other groups are currently part of a treatment program for survivors of torture in the USA. There is a day care program for children of all ages and a group for children ages 2-4. Both groups have participants from many different countries and cultures.

This presentation is offered through my own eyes as a refugee, and my work with children in three different programs. I believe it is possible to heal and rehabilitate children of war trauma through the basic elements of trust, support, love, care and acceptance through the therapist, caseworkers, family and community. And perhaps adults can learn to respect and appreciate each other through the unbiased eyes of their children.