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Recommended: Child abusement
I have come to enjoy reading poetry; I may not always understand the meanings behind them however, when reading “The Child Who Walks Backwards” by Lorna Crozier I automatically could relate and depict exactly what this poem was about. Child abuse is something that happens all over the world and in every culture. Every year in the United States alone there are over 3 million reports of child abuse, involving more then 6 million children, this also does not include all the unreported cases. (childhelp.org) This poem is a narrative poem written from a neighbor’s point of view, how he or she can see the what is going on but is told otherwise from the parents. In this essay, I want to explore the on look of child abuse from an outsiders point of view ranging from denial that the situation is going on, to skepticism, and final the realization that this could be happening to a family member or a neighbor like in the poem. Sometimes seeing child abuse is hard and it not always blatant and in our faces nor do we always want to see it, seeing a child be abused is not an enjoyable task. However, noticing, reacting, and calling authorities could save a child’s life. Denial: A coping mechanism that gives you …show more content…
time to adjust to distressing situations. Many people are in denial about child abuse, it is not a pretty thing, and many of us cannot fathom how an adult could possibly hurt an infant or child.
We have suspicion maybe ask the adult in the situation what is going on but almost 100% of the time, you will get excuses, like those in the poem. “My next door neighbor tells me/ her child runs into things.” Lorna Crozier (pg.7). Many simply accept those excuses and turn a blind eye. Denial is a deadly place to be in especially when subjects like child abuse come up, it’s a never ending loop of looking the other way if it does not directly affect your life. This is where as decent people we do not necessarily have to keep our eyes peeled for abuse situations but to recognize when they are happening right in front of
us. Skepticism: questioning attitude towards knowledge, facts, or opinions/beliefs stated as facts, or doubts regarding claims that are taken for granted elsewhere. Teary eyes, fear of touch, fear of speaking, body language, distant, these are all signs of abuse, but until a blatant sign such as a bruise or broken bones show up we usually look the other way. Once we start to see the physical signs that are when we start to question what really is going on. “ This child who climbed my maple/ with the sureness of a cat/ trips in his room, cracks/ his skull on the bedpost, /smacks his cheeks on the floor”(pg.8). In the poem, the narrator clearly states that she is questioning the situation going on next door, which there is skepticism and doubt to what the mother tells them. However that is about as far as it goes just like many child abuse situations, we understand what is going on, we see it happening, we have that doubt running through our neurons. However a lot of people never pass this stage either it not knowing what exactly to do, not wanting to cause drama or further harm to the child. In addition, there they are left as spectators dreading what they see or in some cases not caring at all. Realization: an act of becoming fully aware of something as a fact. Realizing the problem and wanting to help, this sadly is where not enough people are at when it comes to child abuse. The phrase “ children should be seen, not heard” is exactly what we as decent people need to abolish, that mind frame of looking at the adult for answers instead taking the time needed with the child to understand what is going on. However, realizing the problem is the first step, opening up those eyes of ours and taking a stand for the child’s sake. When we finally can accept and realize what is going on many people are conflicted. Like I said earlier on in the essay, but putting aside all feelings and controversy the very first step should be contacting authorities, letting the situation be known, and thanks to millions of people that is happening, but sadly as much as it is realized in many cultures still nothing is done. In addition, this is a sad reality, but we as neighbors can abolish these crimes in our communities. Denial, skepticism, and realization are all stages that we as outsiders looking in could possibly go through, but it is our duty as neighbors, family members, strangers, to stand up for the ones who can not always stand up for themselves. We may not be able to serve but we can help to protect by calling those who can serve and protect. We may not be able to destroy these awful acts known as child abuse but we can certainly start helping by looking after our little neighbors.
Also being abused and letting someone know maybe embarrassing. In the article “Child Abuse.” Opposing Viewpoint Online Collection, it goes on to say, “Even people who are reasonably confident that they have witnessed child abuse may be reluctant to report it. Some may not want to become involved in what they consider a private family matter. Others may believe that reporting the problem will do no good.”
Abuse is a difficult and sensitive subject that can have long lasting effects. These traumatic emotional effects are often intensified if the abuse happens at a young age because children do not understand why the abuse is happening or how to deal with it. There are many abuse programs set up to counter the severe effects which abuse can have. Even more, poets and writers all over the world contribute works that express the saddening events and force the public to realize it is much more real than the informative articles we read about. One such poem is Theodore Roethke’s My Papa’s Waltz which looks carefully through the eyes of a young boy into the household of an abusive father. Robert Hayden’s Those Winter Sundays is a similar poem from the perspective of a young adult reflecting back on the childhood relationship with his father and the abuse his father inflicted. These poems are important because they deal with the complex issues surrounding the subject of abuse and also show the different ways which children react to it. My Papa’s Waltz and Those Winter Sundays are similar poems because they use tone, imagery, and sounds and rhythms to create tension between the negative aspects of abuse and the boys own love and understanding for their father.
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.
There are so many people who could be considered as third parties who are obligated by state laws to report any type of neglect or abuse to the proper authorities. To get to the point some of the third parties who have a commitment to report child abuse or neglect which happens to be in the professional field are doctors, dentists, teachers, police officers, day care workers, clergymen, lawyers, therapists or counselors and etc... Sometimes professionals who are considered to be third parties have the advantage to whether or not if they report child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities. Others people that can be considered as third parties are family members, friends of the family and associates, but most times these groups of people may find it difficult to do so because of family ties to the abuser (Hess & Orthmann, 2010).
...g and filled with detailed solutions for each act of child abuse. The book allows the reader to visual themselves in each situation and knows how to react towards such each incident. It helped me understand why adults abused as children act the way they do when it comes to social interaction. Personally, I have attained new information that I was unaware of. In the beginning, I have always believed that child abuse only involved physical or sexual abuse. I did not know that emotional abuse actually existed. I was unaware of the fact that emotional abuse gravely affects children as they grow up. This book may open up the minds of people who are unaware of or refuse to believe that child abuse is occurring daily in our society because it is so informative and persuasive at the same time. If one needs to educate themselves concerning child abuse, consider this book.
March 5, 1973 started out as another horrible day for Dave Pelzer, his mother screaming at him to begin his chores. Dave was no ordinary child, he was abused horrifically by his mother. On this same day he was released from the clutches of his mother into police custody. Dave then uttered the words “Im free?” (pg 14) in displief that he was free from the evil in his life. This quote in the book shows how life altering his mother’s anger was on Dave. High levels of child abuse occur every year and have had mental and emotional effects on children, this essay is going to argue how cruel and life altering child abuse is. Foster Homes have saved children from child abuse for years, more than 6.6 million children suffer from child abuse each year.
Why is child abuse so common you might ask. There are many answers, but the best one that research could come up with is that when the abused don’t get the help that they need to have, they more than often become the abuses and then when they abuse their chi...
Abuse comes in various forms like physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and neglect. People of all ages are at risk for experiencing some type of abuse or neglect. In the book, A Child Called “It” written by Dave Pelzer, the author shares the horrific experience he lived as a child until he was rescued. Dave Pelzer was tortured, mentally abused, and starved as a young child. The abuser was someone whom Dave Pelzer had a tremendous amount of love for at one time. In the following narrative, various types of abuse that Dave Pelzer was put through by his own mother will be discussed.
In the year 2015, approximately 683,000 children became victims of child abuse. Of those 683,000 children, approximately 1,670 children died from child abuse (National Statistics). Child abuse is defined as “when a parent or caregiver, whether through action or failing to act, causes injury, death, emotional harm or risk of serious harm to a child” (What is Child Abuse). There are many different kinds of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation and emotional abuse. The purpose of this paper is to enlighten the readers to the fact that throughout the story the parents and caregivers abused their children. In The Glass Castle, Jeannette talks about the many memories that she had with her parents, but it is clear that even
physically and mentally. Authors , directors and poets from a first hand perspective of the victim or from a bystanders try to convey this message in several different sources. In the novel A Child Called It by David Pelzer , the poem “ Hush Little Sister” by Yerzinia and the short film ReMoved directed by Nathanael Matanick all explore the complex issue of child abuse.
Childhood maltreatment is, and has always been one of the most pressing issues facing our youth. Whether it be physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect, the numbers show an alarming truth, our youngest and most vulnerable population are being highly mistreated and oppressed. For the purpose of this essay, I will pay particular attention to childhood maltreatment in the form of neglect, and what becomes of those that are neglected in childhood.
It’s up to to adults to report child abuse, because many victims are too scared.“Anyone who has reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected should make the report! We all have a responsibility to report a child we suspect may be in danger. Ohio law encourages you to act on behalf of a child in need of protection, and to report your suspicions to the appropriate authorities” (Department). Having the responsibility to file a complaint for child abuse should be a good thing. Nobody should want to be quiet when it comes to reporting child abuse, because you are helping those who don’t have to strength to go for themselves. No matter what position you are in, everybody who witnessed and knows there is child abuse taking place they should report
Child abuse may happen in front of you, but you might let it go you are letting someone hurt a child that is innocent and you are not going to do anything about it, you don’t know what this child might be going through because they might be going through a lot. According to the “ The truth about child abuse” so many people may witness child abuse, but they might think it’s wrong for them to report it or some might not even care, but if you ever witness child abuse you should always report it no matter what or who it is because you might help a child that has been through so much.People might be scared to report it because the person that they report might do something to them but you can always report it anonymously. “ If you’re worried about meddling in another parent’s business don’t be. It’s your job to pick up the phone and report what you’ve seen then leave it to social workers to decide what happens next” (DeGya 5). If you can’t do it you can always tell someone to do it for you, but don’t just let it go because that child may never be saved from being abused if you have this mindset. Another reason why people may not want to report it is because maybe the other person may have more power over them, but you should never walk away from the scene because if you don’t report the abuse it makes look like you are covering up for the person or you don’t care but just imagine it’s your kid that is being abused by someone you would do something about it so even if it’s not your
"One in four females and one in six males will be sexually abused before his or her 18th birthday" (Nojadera 21). These staggering statistics illuminate the issue of child abuse as one of the most profound problems in society. The astonishingly high rate of maltreatment occurrences at an early age makes one wonder why the topic is not addressed more often. Often going unnoticed by everyone around them, children are enduring unimaginable suffering every day . Many victims feel completely alone because there is no one with whom they feel safe. Although many governments have taken some form of action, it is nowhere close to enough. Victims sustain considerable damage in every type of child abuse, and they often also have dangerous repercussions later in their adult lives; consequently, there are numerous reasons why citizens should become involved in helping prevent and eradicate child abuse.
The effects of child abuse are multiple. The pain and trauma the abused child goes through is just a small part of how this cauldron of hidden depravity in our society affects all of us. Wrecked lives can be seen in persons of all ages and in all walks of life. Society as a whole is also effected by child abuse both in negative and positive ways. In this essay I will present some of the factor and results of this violent behavior on individuals as well as our culture.