Understanding the best interests of the child (2-3)

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs 2/2

The second model is known as the hierarchy of needs by Abraham Maslow (often depicted as a pyramid)

Why a hierarchy, or pyramid ?

A such construction supposes a first level, a solid foundation ; higher level needs can only come into focus when the lower needs in the pyramid have been satisfied and as such, each level must be « well-built » because otherwise, the entire pyramid may collapse.

As such, the base of the pyramid comprises physiological needs, the primitive needs that allow a human being to stay alive ; these are « fundamental needs » in the view of Abraham Maslow :

Level 1 = The needs that make up the base of the pyramid are the following:

1- breathing
2- food and water
3- excretion
4- maintenance of appropriate temperature
5- rest and sleep
6- physical and neurological activity
7- bodily contact
8- sex life

Level 2 = Psychological needs defined as « safety needs » :

1- psychological and physical security
2- employment
3- professional and family stability
4- security of property and a place of one's own
5- protection from injustice and insecurity

Level 3= Social needs, or love and belonging:

1- a sense of acceptance
2- intimacy giving and receiving love and tenderness
3- friendship and a co-operative, supportive network
4- a sense of appreciation by others
5- a sense of belonging to a group

Only if the above needs have been met do the following higher needs come into focus :

Level 4= esteem :
1- a sense of contribution
2- a sense of self-value (allows for self-acceptance and independence)

Level 5= the peak, or what is known as « self-realization » :
1- problem-solving, learning
2- development of personal values
3- an interior life
4- creativity, or the creation of beauty

The above needs form the basis of the International Rights of the Child. Indeed, one finds the expression of these needs in various forms throughout the Articles of the Convention. However, unfortunately these needs are not everywhere recognized, and the interpretations thereof vary greatly from country to country.
 

In order to grasp the extent of the inacceptable disparity of the satisfaction of fundamental needs, we can reflect upon the fact that hundreds of millions of individuals in poor countries do not even have access to the pyramid's first level needs. Meanwhile, in rich countries, millions have satisfied all levels of the pyramid, and have actually come as far as to add an additional level above self-actualization time !

This fact reflects a preoccupation with slowing down time the question has become « how to live longer ? »

And yet, for millions of children in the world, the question is dramatically more basic :

« How do I stay alive? »

The concept of the best interests of the child forces us to come up with a concrete and effective answer to this latter question for all children of the world  

To see the cartoon on the subject, click here

To see the quiz, click here

For the games, click here

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