COMMUNICATION, VIOLENCE, AND NEGLECT

Abstract

Divided into two main parts, this article addresses communication as a means of fostering societal understanding and confronting violence, drawing on the perspective of Jürgen Habermas. The first half introduces the concepts of Communicative Action and Strategic Action and distinguishes between them, as well as Integrative Community Therapy (ICT), a practice linked to the principles of Communicative Action. The article also examines child neglect, its primary forms and consequences, noting that it is a form of violence leaving children and adolescents in a state of total helplessness and capable, given the severity of the damage caused, of ultimately leading to the termination of parental authority. Methodologically, the article is grounded in a qualitative literature review of an exploratory-descriptive nature. By establishing a systematic connection between the dialogue circles of Integrative Community Therapy and the Habermasian concept of the colonization of the lifeworld, the research demonstrates that child neglect is not merely a matter of individual parental shortcomings but rather a symptom of the breakdown in communication networks among the family, the State, and the community. This finding highlights the need for cross-sector policies and practices that prioritize mutual understanding, active listening, and shared social responsibility as essential resources for realizing the fundamental rights of children and adolescents.