Gerald H Katzman
Biography
Dr. Katzman is a highly accomplished pediatrician and neonatologist, having completed his paediatric residency at the University of Chicago and Children’s Hospital of Michigan, followed by a fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Temple University Hospital. After serving two years in the Navy, he became board certified in both Paediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, in addition to being certified by the American College of Physician Executives as a Physician Executive. Over the years, Dr. Katzman has published extensively in the fields of Neonatology and Paediatrics. His early research in Human Relations Programs for children in the 1980s evolved into an in-depth exploration of how children are taught hatred and how such indoctrination can be prevented. His publications on this subject include works such as A Bioethical Analysis of a Form of Psychologic Abuse: Teaching Hatred to Children (2005), Neurological and Psychological Mechanisms Explaining How Hatred is Programmed Into the Minds of Children (2009), and Spartan and Sambian Societies: Psychosocial Development Stifling Emotional Empathy and Supporting Violent Behaviours (2014), among others. Dr. Katzman’s research has also explored topics like genocide prevention, the role of child development in the pursuit of virtues, and the importance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. His work continues to shape the understanding of how childhood experiences influence social and emotional development, with a focus on fostering empathy and preventing violence.
Research Interest
An initial interest in Human Relations Programs for Children in the 1980s evolved into an effort to understand the ways children are taught to hate and how such indoctrinations can be prevented
Abstract
CHILD DEVELOPMENT LEADING TO THE PURSUIT OF VIRTUES AND THE AVOIDANCE OF VICES
Optimizing the social, emotional, moral and cognitive development of children will support prosocial behaviour and peaceful societies. To accomplish these goals, efforts need to start from birth with authoritative parenting to achieve secure attuned attachment between caregiver and child. Such parenting should eliminate the toxic stress associated with the authoritarian approach and the lack of direction seen with permissive or uninvolved parenting. Early literacy is the key to building character using the vehicles of modelled behaviours, reading stories with a moral and that teach a lesson and Human Relations Programs for Children. Benevolent mindfulness characterized by emotional empathy, compassion and helping behaviours will result from proper parenting and successful character education. The resultant ability to think in a complex fashion where virtues are pursued and vices avoided should facilitate resistance to false narratives and non-violent conflict resolution. Avoiding Adverse Child Experiences has been shown to minimize depression, violence perpetration and other problem behaviours and disorders. When there are educational and professional resources in play to support the development of children in communities, a responsible, caring citizenry can be anticipated
