Page 16 - IB AUG 2019

AUT Advertorial

Pacific Island children and youth do
most of their learning from modelling.
If we focus on providing support and
resources for parents in the home, there
is more of a chance that young people
will do well. They are more likely to be
provided with the appropriate skills and
strategies from an early age to learn and
build relationships with others. They are
also more likely to manage stress and chal-
lenges as they transition from childhood to
adolescence if their parents are equipped
with the necessary skills.
On the other hand, parents should ac-
cept that they too need to ask for help
and support with their children. Domestic
violence is not just about being physical, it
also involves yelling and screaming, and
emotional abuse. We all need help at some
point and if parents are able to accept and
seek help, their children are more likely to
ask for help too.

If we turn the lens on ourselves, what
does Pacific Island youth offending say
about us and the way that we care for
our children?
For Pacific youth engaged in offending
behaviour, family violence is a consistent
presence in their lives. As Pacific peoples,
we may be proud of the indigenous prin-
Dr Julia Ioane is a lecturer in psychology at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
ciples that we live by, such as alofa (love),
The Sons of No One loto maulalo (humility) and fa’aaloalo
(respect), but we have somehow lost the
genuine meaning of this as we continue
to live in a diverse community in Aoteroa.
In New Zealand, Pacific violent youth If we think that, for Pasifika, our whole Parents need to ask for help with their
offenders are typically older when they being is based on our identity in relation own anger and frustration that can be
first offend and more likely to commit a to others, the land and environment – lack triggered by many things such as stress,
violent offence as a first crime. While they of understanding around identity can in- poverty and other commitments. Parent-
are not over-represented in crime statistics, crease risk towards others and self. ing practices that have been used to teach
they are over-represented in terms of seri- Youth offenders often report that family our children, such as yelling, hitting and
ous and violent behaviour. We talk to DR plays a significant part in their lives. How- abusing them, do not work and are illegal.
JULIA IOANE regarding what needs to be ever, the nature and quality of the relation- There are many more appropriate parent-
understood about Pacific youth offenders ship can be disconnected and fragmented. ing practices to ensure a positive outcome
in New Zealand and ourselves. for health and the wellbeing of our Pasifika
Exposure to domestic violence and children and youth. It is time for parents
What are the key risk factors for lack of parental supervision are com- to seek help, because while our children
Pacific youth offenders? And, what mon themes among Pacific youth of- and youth engaged in offending behaviour
is it about them that we most need to fenders. Do the biggest risks for our need help, so too do parents.
understand? children reside inside the home or For me, the priority is to work with the
Research shows that poverty, family outside the home? young person within the context of the
violence and being male are key risk fac- I think it’s both. Environment plays family. The family is integrated within the
tors for offending among Pacific youth. an important role in a person’s upbring- life of a young person and if the family
Those who reoffend are more likely to be ing. Pacific youth offenders are typically doesn’t change, that young person can-
born in New Zealand. raised in low socio-environments, which not change.
From a clinical perspective, Pacific youth increases their exposure to poverty, crime,
offenders tend to come from families gangs and the stereotypes projected on
where there is an absence of a quality them as growing up in such areas. Dr Julia Ioane is a lecturer in psychol-
relationship between parents and their Early intervention is the key to reduc- ogy at Auckland University of Technology
children. There is also a disconnect of ing risk factors in the home – providing (AUT). She trained as a clinical psycholo-
culture and identity, which leads to a desire parents with the economic, psychological, gist and specialises in youth justice, child-
to seek connection with other people and social and spiritual support to be able to hood trauma, child and youth health and
other things. parent their children effectively. development from a Pacific perspective.

16 Islands Business, August 2019