Parental Attitudes in Erbil Towards the Nurturing of Children’s Emotional Development

Hakim Qadir Taha Herany

doi:10.31918/twejer.2582.03

Authors

Dr.Hakim Qadir Taha Department of Social Work, College of Arts, Salahaddin University-Erbil (SUE) Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6659-2446

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31918/twejer.2582.03

Keywords:

Attitude, Child, Nurturing Children, Child Rearing, Child Emotional Development

Abstract

Background: There have been much debate and discussion on the importance of nurturing children’s emotional development (NCED). In term of nurturing children’s emotional development, the parent's role appeared to be of highest importance in the child's rearing process. In recent years, attention to child emotional well-being has gained prominence among parents, social workers, and psychologists due to its perceived impact on children's personality, social interactions, and community engagement. Nonetheless, previous studies suggest a significant link between parental involvement and child development outcomes, implying that the more attentive parents are, the brighter the future prospects for their children. The more attention the parents pay to the children, the brighter their future will be.

Aim: the purpose of the study is to highlight “The attitudes of parents in Erbil towards (NCED)’’.

Method: This study employs a quantitative approach, using a structured questionnaire, The sample consisted of 450 parents (250 women and 200 men) from various socio-economic areas in Erbil to describe the perceptions of parents in Erbil concerning their children's emotional well-being.

Results: The findings show that the cultural and societal factors influencing parents’ attitudes towards children's emotional development in Erbil, providing valuable insights for educators, parents, and policymakers invested in promoting positive emotional growth in the region's children.

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Author Biography

Dr.Hakim Qadir Taha, Department of Social Work, College of Arts, Salahaddin University-Erbil (SUE)

After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I worked for one year as a social researcher with Kurdish Life Aid (KLA), a program supported by the UK Department for International Development. This role provided hands-on experience in health awareness programs, particularly in hygiene and sanitation, across 92 villages, as well as in Child-to-Child education initiatives.

I then spent three months at a juvenile rehabilitation centre funded by Save the Children Fund (SCF) UK, using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques to help children express their concerns through storytelling and drawing. Following this, I became a Field Operations Officer at the Kurdish Organization for Mine Awareness (KOMA), where I coordinated twelve teams working on mine awareness and community safety.

While working part-time, I pursued a Master’s degree on the role of international NGOs and government institutions in supporting children with disabilities, particularly those affected by landmines. As part of my studies, I spent three months at Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK, studying social work with disabled individuals and older adults. My Master’s thesis, The Role of Government Institutions and NGOs in Taking Care of Physically Disabled People, highlighted the widespread physical and emotional abuse faced by disabled children from parents and caregivers.

In 2007, I joined Salahaddin University as a lecturer in the Sociology Department, teaching courses on social problems, industrial sociology, and rural society. In 2009, with support from Ersta Sköndal University in Sweden, I played a key role in establishing the first Social Work Department in Kurdistan. Through my teaching and research from 2007 to 2011, I gained deeper insights into child punishment and maltreatment in the Kurdistan Region, particularly through my engagement with child welfare institutions, childcare centres, and juvenile rehabilitation facilities.

In 2020, I earned a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from Durham University, UK. My doctoral thesis, Child Punishment and Maltreatment in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Causes and Consequences – A Field Study in Erbil City, explored the social and structural causes of child maltreatment and its impact on children’s well-being.

Since 2022, I have been serving as the Head of the Social Work Department at Salahaddin University, where I continue to contribute to academic research, curriculum development, and student mentorship in the field of social work.