Child Abuse - Research Paper Example

?Child Abuse Child abuse and its severe consequences have adversely affected the growth of young generation. In the United s, the rate of child abuse has witnessed a gradual increase in recent years. Maltreatments towards children are many and varied and these have social, personal, educational, physical and mental impacts among the children. Physical abuse, emotional neglect, sexual abuse, and other maltreatments contribute problems in child’s physical, mental and social development. The proposed research is indented to analyze child abuse, its various causes and its impacts on the personal and social life of such abused children. The sample population for the proposed study consists of 50 children and their parents from Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Their socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic features and family backgrounds act as dependant and independent variables. The study seeks to derive its conclusions from the analysis of reviewed literature and survey reports. Introduction Increasing rate of child abuse cases creates severe problems among the authorities as well as the public and it has become a highly controversial issue in recent years. In the United States, studies prove that children continue to suffer from the hidden epidemic of growing abuse and negligence. Researchers such as Van der Kolk, Hopper and Crozier point out that as per the statistics of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA),” an estimated 3,195,000 children were reported abused or neglected” in 1997 (Van der Kolk, Hopper & Crozier, 2001, p. 2). Studies also prove that neglect is the common form of child abuse reported in the United States. In an approximation, 52 percent of cases of child abuse stemmed from abandonment. Physical and sexual harassment follows in the second and third places respectively. Research professionals and experts have provided substantial evidence about the short and long term impact of child abuse on the society as well. Child abuse contribute to a variety of physical and mental problems like brain damage, constant deterioration of self-esteem, chronic failure in making effective relationships, formation of aggressive behavior and various learning disabilities among the children. Child abuse and maltreatments not only damage the normal growth of the brain, but also have severe effects on child cognition, behavior formation, social interaction and communication of the child. A child, who comes from a single parent household, has a serious risk factor for child ill-treatment. Studies support this view by mentioning the fact that those children from single parent system has a greater risk of being out of action by various physical abuse, educational neglect, emotional and personal neglect, and severe sexual abuse. Parent’s attitudes, single parenthood, poverty, religious customs, socio-ethnic features and illiteracy act as major causes of maltreatments against children (Van der Kolk, Hopper & Crozier, 2001). The proposed research includes literature review which will help the reader to understand the background of the problem and the analysis of survey report conducted among 50 children and their parents who were reported abusive will help the researcher to probe deep into the issue. Thus, it can be seen that child abuse and maltreatments have lasting effects of impairments in child’s physical, mental, cognition and social interaction as well the society and public in the United States. Literature review/background of the study Recent s researches taken place in the field of physical abuse against children underline the severity of physical harassment against children. Even though, preventive actions and supporting programs are active, child abuse reports have exposed a growing tendency. Number of child deaths due to child abuse and neglect has reached in a dreadful status in the United States (see appendix-1). In the case of many children, they face physical maltreatment from their parents and nearest relatives. Here, intention of the perforators is not a matter for discussion. In this respect, Lawrence Balter argues that;” if a parent disciplines the child and the child is harmed, it is abuse” (Balter, 2000, p. 462). Physical maltreatment is often characterized as physical injury, often caused by hitting, beating, arm twisting, hair pulling and kicking etc. Physical maltreatments and sexual abuse pose serious threats among people with poor economic backgrounds. Poverty and ignorance play a vital role in promoting child abuse in countries from Asia, Africa, and South America. The book entitled Child Abuse Prevention and Detection Guide By Monica Diner provides remarkable data about the event of child abuse and its impacts. In the study about the prevention of child abuse, Monica Diner observes; “many times this is in part, the consequence of poverty and ignorance of certain families, especially in some parts of Asia, Africa, South America, but many other cases are purely criminal” (Diner, 2007, p. 14). Majority of the African and Asian countries have faced the severity of poverty and starvation for many years. People from these countries always fail to satisfy their primary needs such as food, shelter, medicine and education. The web article entitled Child Abuse in America helps the researcher to comprehend the current status of child abuse in the United States. The studies offer statistical evidence of the increasing rate of child abuse. The reports published by Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) documented that in 1997 more than 5.8 million children were involved child abuse and other allegation (National Child Abuse Statistics, 2011). Growing rate o f child abuse cases and allegations accelerates tension and anxiety among the parents as well as the authority. As children are the great wealth of a nation, challenges against children raises some serious questions about the existence of the social system as well. Alice S. Honig has made some relevant studies about the personal and social impacts of child abuse and other kinds of maltreatments against children. Child abuse and its consequences often act as an obstacle in the way to establish various welfare programs. Governmental authorities are forced to find extra funds for various rehabilitation programs. Various psychological problems and behavioral disorders among the abused children also create problems. Abused children show their willingness to use alcohol and substance abuse. Eventually, these children become a part of anti-social activities. Alice S. Honig’s observations get maximum relevance in this occasion. The author postulates: “Child abuse and neglect results social costs as well including low –birth- weight babies, infant mortality, expensive medical treatment, special education costs, protective service costs, foster-care costs, juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, psychological problems, lower occupational and educational achievement and substance abuse” (Honig, 2011, pp. 130-131). The consequences of neglect are more severe than other forms of physical and sexual abuse. It has long term effects on children especially in their physical, behavioral, cognitive and communication development. In their jointure venture Hobbs, Hanks & Wynne made some remarkable studies about child abuse. The researchers identified that lack of proper care, sufficient education, and safety from the part of parents towards children contributes to child neglect and for them “neglect implies the failure of the parent to act properly in safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of the child” (Hobbs, Hanks & Wynne, 1999, p. 124). Absence of proper care and education force the children to indulge in antisocial activities and substance abuse. Therefore, growing rate of child abuse raises certain serious questions about the existence of law and order. The online article entitled Child Abuse in America gives current status of child abuse in the United States. The article points out that “in 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations” (National Child Abuse Statistics, 2011). Statistical reports about child abuse are an alarming one and it gives vital importance to the proposed research. Methodology The methodology of the proposed research includes literature review and the study exemplifies its conclusion from a considerable number of literatures reviewed in whole study. The proposed study follows the features of both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The research resorts to literature review for qualitative study and survey and existing data for quantitative approach. A well organized questionnaire will be helpful to understand the real intensity of the issue and its impact on the child’s physical and mental well being. The questions that are included in the questionnaire are designed collect information on the participant’s family, education, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds as well. Research design and sampling of the study It is significant to notice that the research design and sampling have direct relation to the issue of child abuse and it leads to measurement and analysis which form the cream of the crop of the research. Therefore, as to maintain the quality and reliability of the research paper, the specific pattern of the research follows design, sampling and data collection. The priority of the proposed study is to identify the impacts of child abuse than its causes and prevention methods. The second part is the dictatorship of the problem. Here, the researcher identifies the problem of child abuse, its causes, areas where abuse takes place and discusses about the possible preventive measures. The study is so designed as to analyze the available and confirmed reports and information about the issue of child abuse. The aim of studying these reports and studies is to identify, evaluate, and elucidate the depth and nature child abuse. The second stage of the proposed research contains extended surveys with children and parents who are identified as abusive. Sampling of the proposed research The proposed research will be classified as a hypothesis-generating field study which explains and analyze events of child abuse. The study is based on the assumption that various child maltreatments like physical abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual abuse directly affect not only the physical growth but impairs cognitive and psychological functioning. Child abuse affects not only a particular group of children or people; it creates problems in society and administration. Sampling of the proposed research is based on the selection of particular population group and the collection of relevant data from that particular population group. The sample population of the study consists of fifty students from Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Arizona states is considered as the corner city which share its boundaries with New Mexico and California. Its population is a unique one because of its social and cultural backgrounds. People from various socio-economic backgrounds live here for many years. This social and cultural diversity of Arizona States has made it a suitable choice for the purpose of the study. The target group may consist of both children and adolescents. Adolescents have faced the evils of maltreatment than any other groups. Another significant reason is that sexual and emotional harassment promote deeper and lasting effects on young children than others. Children can be divide in to five groups based on their socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Group A contains children from single parent family, group B includes immigrant family, group C stands for children from low economic status, group D for students from resilience background and finally group E includes children from separated parents. Ethical issues Participants who take part in the survey must be keenly protected from any form of difficulties related to social, cultural, religious, and ethnic prejudices. In the proposed research, the researcher has the responsibility to coordinate different activities effectively and to ensure the confidentiality of all the partakers who engage in the survey. As a controversial issue among the media and public, survey about child abuse may promote some ethical issues. So the researcher needs to take into account issues related with the social, professional, ethnic and cultural lives of the participants. In similar way, the research should be free from all kinds of personal initiations and achievements. Researcher should also make sure that the information about physical, sexual, and emotional maltreatments against children will be collected from children and their parents held in reserve in a highly confidential manner. An official letter and a confidential data sheet will be arranged by the learner for all the participants. Finally it is significant that the learner informs that the entire study is free from personal intentions and participants have the right to withdraw from the research at any time. Research considerations Proposed research is a small scale project that is carried out in one small area with the help of a limited number of children and their parents. Because of this, the consistency and validity of the results will be representing the sample population only. The survey and its results mainly take into account the socio-economic background of the particular group of population. Another drawback of the proposed research is that the questions are generally focused on to make informal inferences on the prearranged topic. The research will be focused on the survey report which will be conducted among the children to know about their experiences and the reasons for their difficulties in family life as well social relationships. A structured and proper analysis of the collected data is expected to throw light on the various aspects of the issue. The research methodology and design adopted for the given research contains methods of measurement and analysis which make the study both reliable and reasonable. References Balter, Lawrence. (2000). Parenthood in America: An Encyclopedia. Vol.1. Illustrated ed: ABC-CLIO. Diner, Monica. (2007). Child Abuse Prevention and Detection Guide. Lulu.com. Hobbs, C.J., Hanks, H.G.I & Wynne, J.M. (1999). Child abuse and neglect: a clinician's handbook, Volume 682. Illustrated 2nd ed: Elsevier Health Sciences. Honig, Alice S. (2001). Infancy in America: A-I. Ed. Alice S. Honig, Hiram E. Fitzgerald, & Holly Brophy-Herb. ABC-CLIO. National Child Abuse Statistics: Child Abuse in America. (2011). Retrieved 21 June 2011 from Childhelp website: http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics Van der Kolk, B.A., Hopper, J & Crozier, J. (2001). Child Abuse in America: Prevalence and Consequences. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma. Retrieved 21 June 2011 from: http://www.nctsnet.org/nctsn_assets/pdfs/articles/child_abuse_america.pdf Appendix Appendix-1 Source: National Child Abuse Statistics: Child Abuse in America, 2011. Read More