Child Abuse and Neglect - Assignment Example

Child Abuse and Neglect Question One Was Letourneau’s original punishment sufficient? The original punishment placed on Mary Kay was not sufficient because it did not deter her from continuing her sexual relationship with a minor. She got a lesser sentence due to curt plea and pardon. However, she did not learn her lesson because a short time after leaving prison, she met again with Vili, whereby she got her second pregnancy for the teenager. Would the legal response have been different if Letourneau was a male teacher and Vili was a female student? The legal response would be very different if the teacher was male and the student a female, because the law deems men as superior sexual figures compared to women. As such, if a man willingly goes out for a schoolgirl in pursuit of sexual favors, while in complete knowledge that he is breaching the law, then he needs to get a stiffer punishment. This is because the girl carriers the most negative side effects of such a relationship, such as early pregnancy, dropping out of school, and sometimes early or forced marriages. Is it possible for a child of 13 and an adult woman to be in love? It is possible for a thirteen-year-old boy and a mature woman to be in love. This is because the boy is already a teenager, and as such, has begun developing love feelings and attractions towards the opposite sex. Therefore, the solace, companionship, as well as, understanding that he derives from a person of the opposite sex fills in the void in his heart, despite the age of the woman. In addition, the woman is already mature, thus both parties freely consent to the sexual relationship, or love. Does the fact that Mary Kay and Vili are now married mean that their prior relationship was not abusive? The fact that the two got married means that their relationship was not abusive. This is because both were in full agreement of what they were doing. They were in love, and as such, nobody was forcing, manipulating, or using any other channels to gain sexual favors from the other party. The only illegal aspect of this relationship was that it involved a minor, which is against the laws of the state. Question Two A parent (mother/father) massages (full body, non-genital) his or her child (son/daughter) who is 6 months old, 12 months old, 2 years old, 5 years old, 10 years old and 15 years old. Take a look at the variables in the situations above (depending on if it is a mother or a father, if the child is a son or a daughter, and depending on what age the child is) and state in what case (if any) you think there would be sexual abuse going on. Why do you think there would be sexual abuse in that case/those cases? Be sure to discuss the parent's possible motivations, the nature of the physical contact, and the child's stage of physical development. A parent has the right to massage his or her daughter because of the parental position that he or she occupies in the child’s life. However, the age of the child, as well as, the gender difference between the parent and the child changes the aspects of the massage. For instance, it is perfectly genuine for a parent to massage their child all through their bodies, especially for the children below five years. This is because the child is still young and looks up to the parent as a support figure, somebody that should give them their love, protection and attention. On the other hand, the parent also feels nothing but love, tender care and affection for the child. Therefore, if a mother massages either a boy or a girl child who is below the age of five years, there is not effect or damages that may be quantified as sexual abuse or harassment. The case is also very similar in the event of a father massaging their daughter or son of the same age. However, the scales tilt in the event the child grows up to become ten or fifteen. At ten years old, a child begins to notice their sexual orientation, and demand their privacy and personal respect, even from their parents. On the other hand, at fifteen, a child is already a teenager who is fully aware of his or her sexual orientation, and as such, demands total privacy and respect of her body. Therefore, in the event a parent decides to massage a child at this age, they should be careful in the way they approach the child, or even suggest to do such an act because it would be in total violation of the child’s privacy. In fact, it is a prerequisite that the child accents to the full body massage first before the parent proceeds. This helps in dispelling any negative connotations that the parent may have towards the whole massage aspect. Gender respect and balance is also very important. A child at these ages will only accept someone of their own sexual orientation to touch their naked body. Therefore, a girl child will prefer her mother to do her massage, while a boy child would prefer his father to do the massage. It is also important to note the age difference. A girl child at ten will allow her mother to massage her, but shun her father, while a girl child will, at fifteen, prefer a male hand to massage her, BUT strictly not her fathers. The case is very vice versa to the boys. As such, a parent who insists on conducting a full body massage to their children at these ages risks violating the sexual code of harassment and child abuse, especially if the case relates to a parent and a child of the opposite sex. A parent insisting to massage a child of opposite sex, especially one who is fifteen years old, is abusing the child sexually, because he or she has various sexual interests that they wish to achieve by touching these children in gross places. Work Cited Sexual Abuse: Case Example 7.2. Page 113. Read More