Family scientist studies impact of violence on Israeli, Palestinian families

Preliminary findings of a study of Israeli and Palestinian families who lost children to political violence show similarities in family functioning, said a family scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. But some faith-based differences also are apparent.

Douglas Abbott spent January through July 2006 as a Fulbright scholar in Haifa, Israel, where he and colleagues interviewed 10 Jewish families and 25 Palestinian families whose children died as a result of political violence. Abbott is a professor of Family, Youth and Family Studies in the College of Education and Human Sciences. His colleagues included a well-known Muslim social worker, Muhammad Haj-Yahia of Hebrew University, and an equally respected Jewish family scientist, Yoav LaVee, from Haifa University.

Abbott, who has conducted research on families in China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and the Philippines, was interested in exploring how family functioning changed following the violent death of a child, particularly changes in attitudes toward the "enemy" who caused the children's deaths.

Stressing that his findings are early in the analysis process, Abbott said some patterns are emerging as tapes and data from the interviews are logged and reviewed. All the families lost children between 2000 and 2003. The Israeli children died in random suicide bombings, or were shot or stoned by Palestinians. The Palestinian children were killed by Israeli military fire; sometimes the children were part of protests (throwing rocks, bricks, etc., at soldiers) or died because they were in the vicinity of targets of Israeli shelling.

In factors such as initial emotional response, marital relations, parent-child relations and effects on siblings, Palestinian and Israeli families showed similar patterns, Abbott said. Some differences are apparent, however. Palestinian parents, who tend to view the Israeli Army as terrorists, also tend to label their children as martyred -- a great honor in Islam. A child's death seems to exacerbate Palestinian hatred for Jews and the Jewish Israel.

Israelis view their children as being the victims of murder at the hands of extremists and show limited animosity for the general Palestinian people, he said.

Abbott asked the families if they saw any positive changes since the deaths of their children. Israeli families said helping others in similar situations and working for legislative/political changes to benefit murdered civilians and their families were positive outcomes. Palestinian families also reported beneficial outcomes, including feeling closer to God, experiencing community esteem as parents of martyrs, and making religious pilgrimages.

When asked about afterlife experience, Israelis reported little belief in life after death, but Palestinians reported strong belief in heaven or paradise for martyrs.

Abbott, his wife and a 15-year-old daughter lived in Haifa, which came under rocket fire during the period. Like everyone else in the city, he said, they spent time in bomb shelters.

Israelis have developed an ability to live with the random, unpredictable acts of violence that occur in the country, he said, by adopting the mindset of "it's not going to happen to you."

"You just live your life," he said. Armed soldiers are everywhere, he said, and metal detectors and screeners with wands guard bars, restaurants, grocery stores, every place of business. "You just get used to it; it becomes a normal part of life."

Abbott continues to analyze the data and is seeking funding to complete the translation and transcribing of the Palestinian interviews. His overseas colleagues will also analyze the data. He said he hopes that a book or other publication emerges from the Palestinian interviews.

CONTACT: Douglas Abbott, Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, (402) 472-1665