#pictures #show #childrens #experience #pandemic
Although the virus was personified as evil, it still does not seem that the children felt any great fear.
– There was a fear of the virus, but that fear was less about them getting sick themselves. Where we saw by far the most impact on the children were the societal consequences that followed Sweden’s relatively mild restrictions, such as leisure activities being canceled or them not being allowed to meet family and friends.
“Children need to be included”
The authors behind the study, including Sofia Gjertsson, have been able to draw several conclusions that can lead to important lessons in the future. Not only in possible health crises, but other societal crises that may arise.
– What we have been able to see is that children have a surprisingly strong ability to see things beyond themselves – that they actually understand a great deal of the world around them. We believe it is important to take note of this and that children should therefore be included more in social issues like this. Targeted efforts are needed for the children to feel involved, Sofia asserts and continues:
– The pandemic was a crisis that is now largely behind us. But we see how other crises, such as conflicts in our immediate area and natural disasters, arise. It is important that children are included in issues and contexts that deal with this so that they feel included in things that actually affect them, as well as adults. After all, it is the children who will grow up with the legacy we leave behind. Therefore, we see it as important that we not only do things for or about children, but WITH children.
Robin Wieding
