BMJ  2005;331:37-39 (2 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7507.37

Education and debate

Effect of globalisation on children's mental health

Sami Timimi, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist1

1 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust, South Rauceby, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 8QA stimimi@talk21.com

Globalisation is resulting in inappropriate domination of the Western view of mental health as well as of economic approaches. Western child psychiatrists have much to learn from child rearing practices in other countries

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Children's behaviour is influenced by child rearing philosophies and cultural socialisation processes.1 2 Globalisation is imposing Western culture and views of mental health around the world with the assumption that they are superior to those in non-Western cultures. Although there are numerous examples of problematic child rearing beliefs in many non-Western cultures (such as female circumcision), many practices are effective and should be preserved. Indeed, child psychiatrists in the West could gain new knowledge from examining childcare practices across the world.

Child rearing and culture

Freedom is one of the dominant ideologies of the Western market economy. At an emotional level the appeal for freedom can be understood as an appeal to rid us of the restrictions imposed by authority (such as parents, communities, and governments).3 This results in a value system built around the idea of looking after the wants of the individual, who should be free from the impingements, infringements, and limitations that . . . [Full text of this article]

Problem of colonialism

Mental health

New perspectives

Implications


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  • Bhavsar, V., Bhugra, D. (2008). Globalization: Mental Health and Social Economic Factors. Global Social Policy 8: 378-396 [Abstract]  
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