Page 109 - IJPS-10-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Parent-adolescent communication about COVID-19 safety

“They asked questions. They wanted to know the signs thing. So, if you ask someone to wear face masks
and symptoms of the virus as well as how to protect and they refuse, you leave them. Likewise, if you ask
oneself from ever contracting it. Then I told them someone to wash their hands with hand sanitizer and
to stay away from people who have fever or sneezes. they refuse, don’t mind them; [just] wash your own
I told them to not touch or come close to such people hands.” (Female, 44 years old, clergy)
because they can contract it in the process… that is Finally, some parents also appealed to the child’s
what they said on television.” (Female, 59 years old, emotions by referring to death and its overall implications.
businesswoman)
“Sometimes they ask questions, “mummy how do we A quote related to this strategy is as follows:
prevent ourselves from contracting the virus? How “They asked questions about the effect of it and I
responded that I am now aged so I don’t want them
do we secure ourselves from the virus?” When they to contract it and die earlier so they should maintain
do, then I advise them to give strangers space and to the COVID-19 rules so that they could live up to…,
wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitizer and use
face masks so that they will not contract it.” (Female, longer and help me. Because if they die young, I would
39 years old, businesswoman) not be able to live long and I am not ready to bury any
of my children.” (Male, 74 years old, retiree)
3.6. Use of force, emotions, and religious allegories
to enforce compliance 3.7. Impact of the conversation on children’s behavior

Parents claimed to own a set of strategies at their disposal All the parents reported that the discussion about
to make their children comply with the safety precautions. COVID-19 culminated in a positive outcome, where their
One of the most commonly reported strategies is the use children abided by the rules or precautions as directed,
of force. Most of the parents admitted hitting and shouting such as wearing face masks, staying away from crowds,
at their children to make sure they continue to follow and washing their hands intermittently. The discussions
the safety measures. This was motivated by the belief also helped foster the concept of practicing basic hygiene
that children would hardly follow instructions, except routines among the children.
when they are disciplined with corporal and/or verbal “After the discussion about COVID-19 with my child,
punishments. Some illustrative quotes are given below: I noticed that he became cleaner. He started washing
“They are not always complying and it’s because it is his hands regularly and stayed away from dirty
not something they are used to. When I notice that, I surroundings because he was afraid of it. (Female,
correct them using the appropriate ways of handling a 31 years old, businesswoman)
child which is harsh voice. It’s not everything you tell “How they acted afterward showed me that indeed,
them that they will put into practice, but as a father, they heard what I told them about the virus. They
you must keep reminding them.” (Male, 44 years old, started washing their hands, and wearing face
driver) masks…, each time they can’t find their facemasks,
“Yes, I do raise my voice at him by saying wash your they refused to go to school until I bought another one
hands, do this or do that. If I tell him and he does not for them.” (Male, 45 years old, clergy)
respond, then I shout at him or even beat him to obey The findings also revealed that discussions between
the guidelines that they said [could] protect them.” parents and their children about COVID-19 made the
(Female, 51 years old, businesswoman) children vanguards of compliance with safety measures.
“I had to apply force so that they can comply with the They reminded each other and their parents whenever
measures I talked about to them. I had to flog them, they violated the safety measures. The following are some
especially the younger ones since they barely listen to illustrative quotes:
instructions until you apply force.” (Female, 44 years “They behave well… sometimes when we have
old, businesswoman) visitors, they say to us, “mummy, don’t hug that person
Some parents also integrate their teachings about the and make sure that whenever you are talking to that
virus with religion to reinforce compliance. An illustrative person that you are very far from him and make sure
quote is given: that the person washes their hands before entering our
“I told them that COVID-19 can be compared to the house.” (Female, 39 years old, businesswoman)
word of God which is an individual thing. If you want “All my children know about the virus, sometimes,
to go to heaven, obedience to the word of God is a they even remind me that I am not wearing my face
personal or individual thing. Likewise, complying with masks or that I have not washed my hands.” (Male,
COVID-19 safety protocols is a personal or individual 35 years old, artisan)

Volume 10 Issue 1 (2024) 103 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.363