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The cause and effect of child abuse
The cause and effect of child abuse
A literature review on causes of child abuse
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In today’s society there are a variety of social issues that shape and make the world the way it is. These social problems can affect the economy, humans, and neighborhood communities ranging from local or national. One social problem that has increased among humans today is child abuse. This is defined as the physical mistreatment of a child by a parent or caregiver held responsible for a child at their time of care. Every year more than 3.6 million referrals are made to child protection agencies involving more than 6.6 million children (Child Abuse Statistics). Abuse can be physical, sexual, or psychological. These forms of abuse can happen in many places, including the home, schools, or camps. A common form of abuse is physical where someone …show more content…
Children generally learn their behavior patterns from those around them mainly focusing on their parents. When parents expose children to vicious behavior, it is learned and passed on from one generation to the next. Researchers refer to this cycle as the inter-generational transmission of violence which posits that victimized children grow up to victimize others (Windom, 1989). While going through abuse children will either pick up violent behaviors or suffer from emotional detachment. At a younger age children may begin to seek out and harm other children around them due to the buildup of anger and frustration from abuse. They will look at tormenting other children as a way to get attention seeing that they do not receive it at home. These are signs of early stage bullying which puts other children at risk of experiencing child on child abuse. As they age and become teenagers, they begin to find different ways to cope with their abuse. Some may turn to drugs such as alcohol or smoking to escape their issues at home. In adulthood, they will begin to experience relationship issues leading to the possible children. Due to the lack of care as they age they are unaware of the affection that they need to express towards their own children. This will then turn into a repeated cycle as their children will be at risk for abuse or …show more content…
Child abuse is now an issue that’s discussed compared to the past where it was a private issue. There have been more counseling to promote child and family well being, easier access to abuse lines, and interaction programs. With the option of counseling, parents are provided with the information and understanding on how to care and nurture their children in the beginning stages of life. These services make it accessible for the parent and the child to figure out common issues among them as they grow older with a clear understanding on how to solve them. The availability to report abuse has become lucid now that there are more resources such as pamphlets and books detailing the different abuse situations. There are more ads on television and hot-line numbers posted just about everywhere you go. The government has also produced programs where parents interact more with their children in a fun way so that they can establish a bond. Counselors teach classes that are available to children so that they can work on their behaviors. There is also a Safe Haven law that allows parents to drop off unwanted children at fire stations or hospital if children under the age of one aren 't wanted. This makes it easier for an unstable parent to give up their responsibility by keeping the child out of harm’s
Since the case of Mary Ellen Wilson in 1874, child abuse has seen it’s share of light in published news. It is disheartening to read countless stories of future generations being harmed to the extent of psychological damage or even death. Child abuse as a whole has been addressed multiple times in various news blogs, however, nothing has been done to work towards abolishing it at a larger level. The future of America is in jeopardy based on the level of abuse that children endure. Childhelp states that approximately 5 children die every day at the hands of child abuse. America struggles to find equality, and by bystanding the stripping of its youth, continual prolonging is inevitable. Raising this nation’s children in means of nurturing and care is the first step to uplifting America as a whole. In 2012 alone, 1593 of America’s children died at the hands of child abuse, 70.3% of which were younger than the age of three (Safe Horizon). In order to prevent further child abuse, the American government should address stricter child protection laws, psychological stability, and an increase the recognition of those that have released their stories.
Child abuse is caused by a parent, for many reasons, and can lead to many kinds of problems for the child. Parents impose child abuse for many reasons such as psychological problems to low self esteem to alcohol or drug abuse.4 Child abuse happens for many different reasons but all the reasons are still child abuse, and are taken seriously. Child abuse can also occur when parents have too high of expectation of their kids which then leads to abuse. "Abusive parents may show disregard for the child's own needs, limited abilities, and feelings."5 Disregarding children's needs can include a neglect ion. Children need parental advice and for parents to fulfill all their needs.
Bullies, who can be children and adults, can be physically violent towards others because they have seen domestic violence in the comfort of their own homes. According to Behavior Advisor, “Some believe that bullies learn their intimidation tactics from their parents/guardians, and are displaying behaviors that serve a function in their home environments” (“Bullying: Characteristics and Interventions”). Children watch a lot of adult activity and they have the drama embedded in their brain; thinking it is tolerable to be dominant towards others. In the same way, when children grow up, they still have a violent mindset when they become
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3.3 million referrals for alleged maltreatment were made in 2013. Out of the 3.3 million referrals, 899,000 children were officially documented as being maltreated(Child Abuse & Neglect 2015). Child abuse is the mistreatment of a child. Child abuse is recognized in several forms; physical, emotional, sexual and neglect. Children who experience any form of abuse will tend to withdraw themselves from their peers and sometimes from other family members who are not aware of what is taking place. Child abuse occurs not just in the homes of these children, but can also occur in schools, churches and after school programs. Anywhere a child is present there is a chance that abuse can occur. This paper will review the forms of child abuse, the effects of child abuse, reasons child abuse occurs and possible therapies to bring healing in the parties involved.
According to Tennyson Center for Children, “A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds in the U.S.” (“Child Abuse in America”). One cannot fathom the idea of why anyone would intentionally hurt the innocent children of today’s society. Child abuse happens with children of all ages, gender, and religions. Likewise, the world can be identified as a harsh place, where child abuse occurs around the world, and is even evident in the United States. There are many factors that contribute to this repulsive behavior. Physical, sexual, and psychological cruelty are effects of child abuse.
Child abuse in the United States is a growing epidemic. Every year the number of reported cases, and missing children go up. This is caused mostly by lack of education about the different types of child abuse, and the signs that go along with it. Communities need to provide more resources to better educate the public about the types of abuse, and the signs that go along with it. Child abuse and neglect can be lessened by more resources, more education and to reach out to others.
Child abuse goes way back in history starting from the time when a little 10 year old girl got removed from her parents home in 1874. The case is connected to the founding of the New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which gave rise to the founding of similar societies (National Association of Counsel for Children). Most children under the age of 3 tended to have a higher rate of victimization and girls had a higher risk than boys. Sexual abuse was frequently associated with family problems such as parental alcholism, parental rejection, and parental marital conflict (Bright Futures 4 Kids). Throughtout history, child abuse seems to be less crucial and likely than it was before because back then there was a lower rate of child care. Man...
The mistreatment of children is classified by four types of actions: physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect. Although, in recent years several steps have been taken to prevent the maltreatment of children it seems that child abuse is still prevalent in today's society. Countless children around the world suffer from some form of abuse and in many cases the same child experiences more than one. There is no exact number of victims because it difficult to measure the exact amount of children going through abuse. Child abuse almost always occurs in private, and because abuse is often hidden from view and its victims may be too young or too frightened to speak out, experts in child welfare suggest that its true prevalence
There are many forms of physical abuse, such as, slapping, hitting, strangling, beating, kicking and sexual abuse. In many cases objects being thrown at a child that can injure them. Many times, physical abuse goes undiscovered because children tend to hurt themselves all the time anyway. According to the book, Violence the Enduring Problem states, “Many child victims are fearful or incapable of reporting their victimization to an authority figure. And Despite the mandatory reporting laws in place in all states, evidence of abuse and neglect can often remain hidden except for extreme cases, such as when broken bones and concussions require medical care” (170). Also, physical abuse is often explained away by adults as accidents. But according to Childhelp.org states, “A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds. That in 2014, state agencies found an estimated 702,000 victims of physical child abuse” (Child Help). It is an epidemic that has plagued the United States for decades. Child abuse is an ever-growing social problem. Children that are physically abused have a high propensity to develop psychological disorders, such as, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. There is evidence about the mental health implications of physical abuse and environmental stressors that contribute to the ongoing
Child abuse in general is quite complex and at the same time one of the most challenging social issue facing people all around the USA. Child abuse cases have been recorded in all the states of the USA. The cases occur in all areas be it cities, small towns, suburbs, and even in rural areas. The vice also happens in all types of families regardless of the ethnic origin of the family or the even family income (UNICEF, 2015). It is thus important that effort is put into reducing cases of child abuse.
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. It can be detrimental to one’s daily life, affecting not only the abused child, but also those who are associated with the child. It can have lasting effects that may carry over to adulthood and cause potential issues with relationships or perhaps within their own families as well. It is important that we learn to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect so that we can save the lives and future of our children. Child abuse is widespread, often not reported, and is responsible for many problems involving our youth today.
Child abuse is a social problem in America that has many contributed factors. Factors that contribute to child abuse and neglect includes poverty, divorce, substance use, lack of education, stress due to unemployment, mental health issues, teenage parent, and a history of child abuse in the family. It took decades for physicians to conclude that parents have been violently assaulting their children. Child abuse, child labor, juvenile delinquency, and similar social questions historically were ethical and moral problems, not strictly medical ones. (Helfer, Kempe, & Krugman, 1997). In 1962, the Journal of American Medical Association published “The Battered-Child Syndrome.” The article transformed society’s views and dates the rediscovery of child abuse as a social problem. Following this article, the U.S. Children’s Bureau adopted the first laws mandating physicians to report any suspicions of abuse and neglect to the police or child welfare. By 1974, some 60,000 cases were reported. In 1980, the number exceeded one million (Myers J. E., 2004).
When the topic of abuse comes up, many different forms of abuse pop into individuals heads. Whether its Physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse or even drug abuse, the list just keeps going. Now take all those different forms abuse and imagine them happening in a family. A father physically abusing his children, a mother verbally berating her daughter about her body image, a child growing up in fear. According to the research by David Wolfe in the Journal of Consulting and clinical Psychology, that the number of children that have suffered a physical injury due to physical abuse is between 1.4 and 1.9 million annually. With such a high number of physical abuse happening to children, one can imagine how high the number of all the
The continuing cycle of child abuse can be ended when we are willing to look at the devastation it leaves in the lives of not only the child victims, but everyone who is a part of the family or society where family violence dwells. When individuals are willing to stand up for these young victims and get involved, only then will positive change come. Look at the positive change that grew out of the abuse and rescue of one 9 year old girl named Mary Ellen when one person with compassion in her heart was willing and resolute to get involved and make a difference.
In USA, there are more than three million report of child abuse every year. It is the highest number than other countries. As the result of child abuse, children are more likely to drink and smoke at young age, face depression or at least one psychological