This habit of pushing children to the front has picked up way too much. For every moment which is considered important by politicians you see children being paraded, conveniently so.   

Now it is bad enough seeing children filed in charity and advertising campaigns, an issue I have reacted to repeatedly. Children when still at such a tender age should never be exposed to this media spectacle and the ensuing pressures for some very obvious reasons.

A couple of years ago in collaboration with the Commissioner of Children, I was commissioned to write a review on the impact of children ‘used’ in advertising and in political campaigns. The research confirmed that it is not healthy that children are out on the front line, whether it is to sell a product (political or other) or using children simply as mascots to glorify their parents’ achievements, plans and ambitions. 

The recent adulation of the daughter of the Prime Minister Abela, ‘serqet ix-xena’ moment, disturbed me. 

Forget the momentary exaltation they get when their parents become leaders or take on important appointments. After that it is all down-hill. The psychological, emotional and social impact is enormous. Children start soaking in the weight and strain possibly without their parents even noticing. The public starts seeing them as an extension of what they think about their parents, so it’s probably either ‘high up in the mountains’ or ‘down in the gutters’ in a very short time. The Times of Malta carried a story some weeks ago on how the children of former MPs and Cabinet members, Dr Franco Mercieca and Dr Joe Cassar felt when their dads were in politics.

As a child Rebecca, 25, now a lawyer, who specialises in human rights, was introverted and shy. “Secondary school was already an uphill battle, with my dad’s political exposure not really helping the situation. It gave bullies an easy-in to pick on me, without actually even really knowing me as a person,” she says. As they grew older both felt that they had to be careful when out with friends as they feared their actions would reflect badly on their father.

The article goes on to state that;

“Young children, in particular, should be protected from the media at all costs,” he [Child psychologist Dr Victor Martinelli] says.

In fact, I cannot understand how the Abelas’ do not realise that exposing their daughter to this extent is spelling trouble. I’ve heard, like most of you reading this article, endless stories of what children of current or former party leaders had to contend with; Muscat’s children have been known to be taunted by their ‘friends’; Delia’s kids were splashed all over the socials when there was the infamous leak; the facial expression of one of Busuttil’s sons on his appointment as Leader said it all; Fenech Adami’s children had to endure endless abuse and children of other politicians and party leaders have had to go practically underground with some even having to travel abroad to do away with the derision and mockery that the limelight brings with it.    

To compound all of this, unfortunately, the Commissioner for Children is not forceful enough, even though she does pronounce herself on the matter occasionally. I firmly believe this Office needs to be rehabilitated and governed by a law that has strength.

If politicians get overly excited once they assume these roles and do not realise the potential problems this might cause to their children, it means that it is time to have legislation in place that safeguards their children and protects them from this overindulgence. 

If they cannot do it for themselves, we will see to protecting their children ourselves. 

If they want an amulet they might opt for the Ganesha or a prayer-wheel, but not ‘our’ kids .