This election, let's give the kids our vote

Palestinians look for their belongings after houses were destroyed by Israeli strikes in southern Gaza. PHOTO/AP

Israel is a small country. Depending on which way you count disputed territory, it is 20,770 square kilometres, which is roughly the same as the Wanganui-Manawatu region.

From our position as isolated islands at the bottom of the world, it is hard to comprehend the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people in Gaza. We read the news, see the media images and try to imagine the destruction, loss, death and grieving - but it is difficult to grasp the actual reality.

Imagine a militarised barrier between Wanganui and Palmerston North. Imagine armed guards patrolling the border, while both sides fire rockets, bombs and bullets at each other, killing, destroying homes and traumatising lives.

Picture the situation; the political leadership of both cities entrenched in their own ideology and related territorial power plays, both receiving arms and support from other provinces, which have their own motivations for maintaining the conflict, while arms manufacturers rub their hands in anticipation of further profits.

Bullets, rockets and bombs are the ideal consumables - you can only use them once and then you need to get more. And, of course, there is the age-old game of he who has the most weapons is more likely to win.

Imagine the borders of Manawatu and Wanganui being overwhelmed with refugees - mostly women and children - fleeing their homes into neighbouring regions to escape the dangers of armed conflict.

Imagine the children, whose interests should be foremost in the minds of the political leadership, growing up in fear, resenting a lost home, lost opportunities for education, good health and the everyday ordinary childhood pleasure.

Would it be so surprising if many of these young ones then carry forward across the generations their sadness and grievances, providing new fuel to an already volatile fire?

Young children do not discriminate unless the world of adults teaches them it is acceptable to judge someone by their way they look, their religion, or culture. It is the world of adults that defines life for children and the current warfare in various parts of the Middle East is but one example.

The imagined armed conflict between two New Zealand provinces is one small way to try and find perspective of what is occurring on the other side of the world.

We might not be at war in anything like the same way, but across our region there are children who need to find refuge for fear of domestic violence.

Those children will be deeply affected by the loss of childhood safety, love and opportunity.

For some of them, the risk that they will grow to carry forward the same violence to the next generation is high. As with all conflict and violence, it is the children who bear the burden of adult behaviours.

To change this requires adults to recognise their role as carers. Children are not possessions to be abused, hit and battered - in many homes where violence is a day-to-day backdrop, it is likely that the widescreen television is treated with more care and respect.

It has been said many times by many people with greater knowledge than me, but its importance makes it worth repeating - it takes a village to raise a child.

Children and their well-being are everyone's concern. Look closely at the pre-election passing parade of policies and check the track record of child advocacy amid the political posturing.

Children cannot vote. So think of them as you tick the voting form.

Terry Sarten is a Wanganui-based writer, musician and social worker - feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz