Impact of Violence on Children's Learning Abilities: Evidence from Punjabi Society

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the influence of violence, both verbal and physical, on the learning abilities of children within Punjabi society. In this cultural context, the use of punishment is widely accepted, and violence is often perceived as a customary method for resolving conflicts. To explore the effects of violence, the researchers have utilized data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2017. To assess the impact of violence, the researchers have developed indices focusing on physical violence, verbal violence, and learning outcomes. These indices serve as quantitative measures to evaluate the extent and nature of violence experienced by children, as well as their educational achievements. By analyzing the data collected through the MICS survey and employing statistical techniques, the study aims to uncover potential correlations between exposure to violence and the learning skills of children within Punjabi society. The study employs a methodical approach to assess the impact of violence on children's learning outcomes within Punjabi society. By constructing indices for physical violence, verbal violence, and learning outcomes, the researchers aim to quantify the extent of violence and its educational repercussions. The methodology involves the use of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to estimate the general learning status of children, acknowledging the need for robust statistical techniques to interpret the complex relationships between variables. For the analysis of quantitative ability, which is considered a categorical variable, the study utilizes ordered logistic regression. This choice of method is appropriate given the ordinal nature of learning outcomes in quantitative skills, allowing for a nuanced understanding of how violence might affect different levels of ability. Similarly, the investigation into the effects of violence on English reading skills and comprehension employs logistic regression models, suitable for binary or categorical outcome variables. The results of the study are telling, indicating that both physical and verbal violence have a negative and significant impact on children's learning outcomes. This conclusion holds even after accounting for a range of household and demographic variables, suggesting a direct link between exposure to violence and educational achievement. The negative implications of violence on learning are profound, highlighting the urgent need for interventions aimed at reducing violence in educational and domestic settings.