The Openforwards Blog: Ideas from around the world to help you work, love, play and feel better
What if we could find a way to prevent child abuse?
We already have! We’ve also discovered how to prevent many of life’s critical problems including acts of crime, domestic violence as well as depression and anxiety. So why aren’t these problems getting better?
In the 1960s, there began a cultural revolution. Sparking rejections of the establishment and the on-going suppression of minority groups, an attitude of optimism and creativity began to emerge. Since then, we have developed the science and we now know how to help every child to thrive.
Scientist Tony Biglan at the Oregon Research Institute has dedicated his entire career to understanding the conditions that underpin healthy human development. In his book, The Nurture Effect, he presents some simple and powerful solutions. Nurturance is the answer.
While on the one hand, this is a simple solution, we fail time and time again to show kindness. Life can be hard and this causes stress. Prolonged stress means we often neglect simple important social behaviours like attention, kindness and guidance.
Like anything you want to turn into a habit, it starts by taking an interest. From there you can start to build a passion for it. Once you become passionate, it makes it more likely you’ll build the persistence that you need to keep going.
I highly recommend The Nurture Effect, and you get a taster for it in the video below. Check out the other articles, podcasts and videos in this week’s round-up of ideas from around the world to help you work, love, play and feel better.
The Openforwards Weekly Round-up
- The Nurture Effect book trailer.
- What’s like to grieve a parent you didn’t like? Article by reporter on Women’s & Parents issues, Catherine Pearson.
- Why we should play at work. Article by Drory Ben-Menachem over on Medium.
- Desert Island Disc interview with Firefighter Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton. This is an inspiring interview with someone who despite adversity, has made some powerful contributions to understanding decision-making under pressure.
- Do you know your core emotional needs? Article by Jim Lucas (me) over on the Counselling Directory exploring safety, stability and nurturance.
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