An open letter to the President and a petition in favor of a non-violent education in France

Published exclusively on the website of New Observer on November 10, an open letter to the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron was sent to promote non-violent education in France. This letter was written by a collective composed of several French specialists in childhood, including, in particular, Catherine Guéguen, pediatrician or Isabelle Filliozat, psychotherapist specializing in parenting. This letter received the support of 520 signatories: childhood professionals (psychologists, paediatricians, child psychiatrists…), personalities (including Christophe André, Frédéric Lopez, Frédéric Lenoir, Andréa Bescond, Alexandra Lamy, Guillaume Aldebert, Michèle Créoff. ..) and learned societies (including the French Society of Pediatrics). Following this letter, a petition was put online, which has already received almost 5,000 signatures. Doctissimo interviewed the co-authors of this open letter, Heloïse Junier, Early Childhood Psychologist/Doctor in Psychology – University of Paris/Author/Speaker – Trainer in young child psychology and Céline Quelen, founder and president of the STOP VEO association , Childhood without violence.

“We started from the observation that since the law of July 10, 2019 on the prohibition of ordinary educational violence, nothing has been done. There is no application of the law and the barometer on educational violence (published by the Fondation de l’Enfance) shows that 79% of parents said they had resorted to at least so-called “educational” violence in the week preceding the survey whereas we know today in a safe and scientific way that repeated and/or intense educational violence is harmful for the future development of the child” explains Heloïse Junier. “Society still tolerates educational violence, it still sees children as a problem to be solved, a sometimes bad being who does stupid things to challenge adults.” continues Céline Quelen. “A child is not a mathematical equation whose correct solution must be found.” adds the President of the association STOP VEO, Childhood without violence.

What solutions to promote non-violent education in France?

“We expect the Government to have the courage to carry this 2019 law and toNurture the culture of non-violence and the best interests of the child. It is urgent to change the vision of the child and his behavior which can indeed be confusing for the adult but which, as we know, results from the immaturity of his brain and not from a desire to challenge adults.” says Céline Quelen. “Several major axes could make it possible to change our society:

• The training of parenting professionals whether they are paediatricians, national education staff or even professionals in the various childcare facilities;
• Of the parenting support measures for all parents;
• Of the public prevention and communication campaigns ;
• Sanction all forms of educational violence in public space.

Adults are the children’s guide, it is essential to fight against educational violence” develops Heloïse Junier.

Non-violent education: drawing inspiration from Sweden to fight against educational violence

“In Sweden, in society, the adult has a supporting role for the child. And yet, when the law against educational violence was put in place (in 1979!), 77% of Swedes were against it! The Government has published and distributed a brochure to all families (available in several languages). If today this brochure seems a little obsolete, it was a strong sign on the part of the leaders of the will to make things happen. We hope for the same commitment from our Government because France is lagging considerably behind on issues of respect for children” explains Céline Quelen.

Find the petition here https://www.change.org/p/a-quand-une-%C3%A9ducation-non-violente