Child Abuse In California - Research Paper Example

Child Abuse in California Malk Alrheli PA-550- Research Methods 10/14 Literature Review Background of Study The results of child abuse can be significant. The most common abuses in children are physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Physical abuses include things like burning, shaking and other forms of maltreatment that caregivers and parents inflict on children. Sexual abuse is a type of maltreatment that exposes a child to sexual behaviors. Emotional abuse, on the other hand, is a psychological injury that affects the emotional stability of a child. In examining the impact of child abuse in California, it is worth considering the definition of child abuse. Stoltenborgh et al. (2013) defines child abuse as an act that is carried out by adults (parents or otherwise) and which leads to threat of harm, or actual harm, to a child (Farrell, 2013). This definition makes it clear that the intention of child abuse is to cause harm to the child. Although the rates of child abuse in Californian can be said to be on the decline, the statistics are still very discouraging. In the year 2013, there were a total of 482, 265 reported cases of child abuse in California (KidsData, 2013). Of these reports, 17 %( 81, 381) were verified to be actual cases of child abuse and neglect. A vast majority of the verified cases involved general cases of neglect, including the failure of the parents or guardians to provide adequate food, supervision or medical care. Basically, child neglect is the most comon form of child abuse in California. However, incidences of physical and sexual abuses also occur. At least 5% of the reported cases of child abuse involved physical and sex abuse (Social services Agency, 2013). Throughout the state of California, it appears child abuse mostly involved children of color, especially African American and Native American children (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2013). From the statistics of child abuse in California, it appears that parents who abused alcohol where for times more likely to abuse their children than the parents who did not abuse alcohol (Jenny, 2010). In such cases, most instances of abuse occurred when the parents were intoxicated (Frost, 2005). Further, substance abuse has also been related to recurrence of child neglect and abuse. Studies have shown that parents who abuse substances are most likely to abuse their children continually that parents who do not abuse substances (Frost, 2005). These statistics further indicates that families reflecting lesser indulgence on consumption of alcohol and other narcotic elements tend to be lesser abusive to their children. This means child abuses has other social factors attached to it. Basically adults that have reduced chances of being addicted to drugs and alcohol reflect a lower probability of abusing their children. Different factors prompt the growth of child abuse both along the developed and developing economies. The increase in poverty of the people is observed to be a potential factor contributing in the rise of child abuse along the developing regions (Frost, 2005). Similarly lack of proper education and social awareness among the different individuals also account for the growth of child abuse in the developing markets. Growth of marital problems and tensions in families also make the children communities subject of being abused. The rise in violence between the members in a family largely account for the children being maltreated by the people (Frost, 2005). Further lack of support of senior family members and also the increase in the feelings of loneliness and isolation from the larger society also account for the rise in child abuse in different regions (Frost, 2005). Other reasons triggering child abuse relate to the growth of unemployment and problems pertaining to housing (Frost, 2005). These factors tend to create internal problems and tensions thereby affecting the lives of children in different households. The children also become subjects of domestic violence and abuse where the parents and guardians start expecting above average results from the children failing to which they are subjected to maltreatment by their parents. Abusing the child also emerges as a customary practice for the parent who as a child faced several incidents of being abused by the family members. In other cases the absence of required skill and understanding of the way through which the child needs to be raised makes the parents and guardians rely on the policies of abusing the children to conduct the stated task. Other psychological factors like the existence of low self-esteem of the parent groups and feelings of moderate to acute depression account for the growth of abusive behavior towards children (State Government of Victoria, 2011). Growth of work pressures both along the professional and domestic sector and also the influence of alcohol make the individuals generate abusive behavior towards children (State Government of Victoria, 2011). In some communities and cultures the infliction of violence and punishment provided to children is held as a need or a custom that thereby encourages the issue of child abuse (State Government of Victoria, 2011). In such cultures the right of the parents is considered to be a prerogative where they are given the full freedom to behave with their children based on their personal interests and desires. Similarly the existence of social dogmas relating to race and gender issues also account for the growth of incidents related to child abuse (State Government of Victoria, 2011). Children who live in violent homes, may become victims of abuse, and are at high risk of being neglected by their parents (Horwath, 2007). Similarly, studies have shown that neglectful parents live under some form of stress. Stressful situations, such as poor living conditions, may exacerbate certain aggressive behaviors in family members (Linda, 2009). This means children living in violent communities have higher chances of being abused than children living in safe neighborhoods (Linda, 2009). The risk in dangerous neighborhoods is related to the high rates of poverty in such neighborhoods. Violence is a common behavior in individuals who live in poverty (Horwath, 2007). Some families reflect the influence of hereditary factors relating to violent behavior; father and mother of children being treated in an abused and violent manner by their parents in their childhood would tend to treat their children in like terms (Linda, 2009). Day-to-day stress faced by adult population relating to a region in their professional, social and domestic areas make them violent when dealing with their children’s problems (Pelzer, 2010). This makes them show unruly and abusive behavior towards their children. Parents dealing with children suffering from problems like mental retardation and other physical and mental disabilities are observed to suffer from increased stress (Pelzer, 2010). Stressed parents are thus observed to be abusing the poor children for their conducts. Lack of social involvement of the parents with relatives and friends makes them more introverted in nature (Pelzer, 2010). The above nature deprives the involvement of the people with the social communities to help them share information relating to their inner stress and thereby gain needed care and support. This attribute makes them behave in an awkwardly manner with the children in terms of abusing and maltreating them (Pelzer, 2010). Child abuse can stem from various family characteristics. Some family situations, such as teenage parenting, increase the risks of child abuse or neglect occurring. Although these family situations might not directly cause the parents to abuse or neglect their children, they are the main risk factors for child abuse and neglect. Some of the family characteristics that may lead teenage parents to abuse and neglect can include, financial stress, and interaction and communication patterns (Kellogg, 2005). A parent who is struggling with such problems is less likely to provide the required emotional and financial support needed by their children (Jenny, 2010). Child abuses vary along different categories like physical, emotional, sexual and also in the form of neglect. Where through the use of physical abuse, physical harm is inflicted on the child the use of emotional abuse happens to affect the psychological balance of the child. Subjecting the child to sexual conduct either physically in terms of forcing or threatening the child or in making the child visualize videos and pictures related to sex and porn amount to sexual abuse. Negligence on the part of the caretaker or the parent is generated in terms of depriving the child from gaining the basic needs pertaining to food, clothing, shelter, education and health (Iwaniec, 2006). Purpose of the study The main objective of the study is to understand the causes or the factors behind the growth of child abuse. Understanding of the causes of child abuse would contribute in designing of effective policies to help in countering and ceasing the factors that amount to child abuse. Potential Research Question What are some of the factors that contribute to child abuse? Data Sources The data would be collected usingsemi-structured survey sets to interview the focused group respondents. Apart from the use of semi-structured interviews the use of the observational technique would also be incorporated to study the mode of interaction of the respondents relating to the focused group. The focus group respondents would be constituted by parents and guardians of children, child psychologists and also people relating to teaching communities. Personal observational technique would be used where the researcher personally observes the behavior and the interactions of the participants in the focused group (Landy & Conte, 2010). The researcher is required to generate interview transcripts and field notes which would contribute in generating further analysis to help in providing effective inferences to the research questions. Data related to the interview would be collected through the use of audio-visual instruments. The use of audio-visual instruments would help in reflecting the behavior and interactions of the interviewees that can be used for future reference (Klenke, 2008). Hypotheses H1: Children from households with lower socioeconomic status will be more likely to be the victims of child abuse. H2: Children from households where the guardians use more alcohol and drugs will be more likely are victims of child abuse. Conceptual Definition of Variables Independent variable 1: Socioeconomic Status Conceptual Definition Socioeconomic status relates to the social and economic position of an individual pertaining to a specific region. The evaluation of the socioeconomic status of an individual endeavors to understand one’s access to social, economic, health and educational resources which in turn contributes in ranking the position of the individual or the family as high or low compared to other families and individuals dwelling in a region. Thus socioeconomic status contributes in stratifying individuals and groups related to a specific region. The socioeconomic status of an individual or group is measured in terms of income, education and occupational position of an individual. The above measures help in identifying the poverty and wealth standard of the individuals or groups in the society (LaVeist, 2011). Operational Definition Q.1. Low socioeconomic statuses of individuals affect the lives of the children? a) Not at all b) Insignificantly c) Indifferent d) Much e) Very Much IV Q.1. Are you employed? a) Yes b) No Q.2. What is your occupation? a) Professional b) Service c) Farming and Fishing d) Transporter e) Construction f) Contractor Q.3. What is your annual income? 75,001 Independent Variable 2: Use of alcoholand drugs Conceptual Definition Alcoholism and Drug Addictions are identified as a family disease such that it tends to affect different members of the family whether young or old. A family member whether the male duo like the father and the son or the female duo like the mother and the daughter addicted to drug or alcohol proves mayhem to the whole family. Addiction to alcohol or drugs tends to be a cause in breaking up families or relationships (DuPont, 2013). Operational Definition Survey IV Q.1. Are you addicted to alcohol or any type of drug? a)I use illegal drugs daily b)I use illegal drugs weekly c) I use illegal drugs monthly d)I never use illegal drugs Appendix : Hypotheses, Variables, Data Sources, Level of Measurement, Actual Survey Questions, and Statistical Test to be Performed to Test the Hypotheses Tim Variables Conceptual Definitions Sources Level of measurement/Type of variable Operational Definitions Test H1: Children from households with lower socioeconomic status will be more likely tobethe victims of child abuse. IV: Socioeconomic status DV: Degree of Child Abuse Socioeconomic status relates to the social and economic position of an individual pertaining to a specific region. The evaluation of the socioeconomic status of an individual endeavors to understand one’s access to social, economic, health and educational resources which in turn contributes in ranking the position of the individual or the family as high or low compared to other families and individuals dwelling in a region. Thus socioeconomic status contributes in stratifying individuals and groups related to a specific region. The socioeconomic status of an individual or group is measured in terms of income, education and occupational position of an individual. The above measures help in identifying the poverty and wealth standard of the individuals or groups in the society (LaVeist, 2011). Social and economic status marked on the basis of existence of poverty, unemployment and also the problems and issues pertaining to property tend to potentially affect the normal relationships between different individuals. This fact also tarnishes the behavior of the parents while managing and governing their children thereby leading to growth of child abuses. Information related to socio-economic status of the individuals would be gained relating to government reports and other publications. It would help in evaluating the socio-economic status of individuals as above average, average and below average based on set standards. IV: Ordinal DV: Nominal DV Survey Q.1. Low socioeconomic statuses of individuals affect the lives of the children? a) Not at all b) Insignificantly c) Indifferent d) Much e) Very Much IV Q.1. Are you employed? c) Yes d) No Q.2. What is your occupation? a) Professional b) Service c) Farming and Fishing d) Transporter e) Construction f) Contractor Q.3. What is your annual income? 75,001 Descriptive Statistics for Survey Questions H2: Children from households where the guardians use more alcohol and drugs will be more likely are victims of child abuse. IV: Alcoholic Status DV: Degree of Child Abuse Alcoholism and Drug Addictions are identified as a family disease such that it tends to affect different members of the family whether young or old. A family member whether the male duo like the father and the son or the female duo like the mother and the daughter addicted to drug or alcohol proves mayhem to the whole family. Addiction to alcohol or drugs tends to be a cause in breaking up families or relationships (DuPont, 2013). The continual intake of alcohol with other types of drugs by different individuals tends to considerably influence their domestic and social behavior. Under the influence of such narcotic products the people tend to behave in a weird fashion both while dealing and communicating amongst each other and also related to the children communities. Alcoholic and drug influenced individuals are observed to abuse the children in a frequent fashion thereby making life hard for the later (Howe, 2011). Interview and Survey IV: Ordinal DV: Nominal DV Interview Q.1. How does your addiction to alcohol or other narcotic products tend to influence your behavior towards the children? Survey IV Q.1. Are you addicted to alcohol or any type of drug? a)I use illegal drugs daily b)I use illegal drugs weekly c) I use illegal drugs monthly d)I never use illegal drugs Descriptive Statistics for Survey Questions Sampling Design A focused group of respondents would be chosen from different categories like parents, counselors, psychologists and also policy makers to help in generation of needful inferences related to the research issue. Use of the Quota Sampling method would be used for forming the target population of focused group respondents such that a total population of around 20 people would be selected for conducting the interview. The target population for constituting the sample would be constituted by teachers, parents, guardians, counselors and child psychiatrists. The use of the quota sampling method contributes in selecting respondents based on specific quotas from different groups as identified above (Black, 2011). Use of Quota Sampling contributes to the selection of respondents bearing like attributes, which in turn help in generation of related inferences in a speedy fashion. The Quota sampling method operates likewise to Stratified Random Sampling method in that it focuses on selection of respondents pertaining to different groups or strata sets. This feature makes the sample selection activity more scientific in nature thereby helping in generating greater benefits (Bajpai, 2009). Data Analysis The data analysis activity would be based on the use of quantitative techniques. Data collected from individuals would be analyzed based on percentage of responses gained relating to the different parameters. These responses would be reflected diagrammatically in the form of pie-charts for further clarity (Tracy, 2012). Different parameters would be constituted using the likert-scale or the five point scale approach. It would help in rating the degree of responses received against the different parameters created for the varied questions. The five point scale would have raters ranging from 1 to 5 where 1 denotes ‘Highly Negative’ remarks while 5 denotes ‘Highly Positive’ remarks. Limitations The research study tends to suffer from essential limitations owing to the lack of effective responses from some of the research participants. Failure in readily gaining information related to the socio-economic category and also pertaining to their addictions to alcohol would tend to affect the quality of the research. Abstinence reflected by the respondents relating to the generation of behavior shown towards the children under the influence of socio-economic tension and alcoholic products also affects the scope of the research. Incorporation of both focused interview and survey relating to the conducting of the primary research activity contributes in enhancing the research validity. References Child Welfare Information Gateway (2013). Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics. Retrieved https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/statistics/can.cfm DuPont, R.L. (2013). The Selfish Brain: Learning from Addiction. United States:Hazelden Publishing. Farrell, M. (2013). Key Issues for Primary Schools. New York: Routledge. Frost, N. (2005). Child Welfare: Child abuse and child protection. New York: Taylor & Francis. Hecht, D.B., & Hansen, D.J. (2001). The environment of child maltreatment: Contextual factors and the development of psychopathology. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 6, 433-457. Horwath, J. (2005) Is This Child Neglect? The Influence of Differences in Perceptions of Child Neglect on Social Work Practice .In J. Taylor and B. Daniel (eds) Child Neglect: Practice Issues for Health and Social Care (73-96). London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Howe, L. W. (2011). Emotional Abuse. In S. Godwin, Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development (pp. 566-567). New York: Springler. Jenny, C. (2010). Child Abuse and Neglect: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Evidence. Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences. Kellogg, N. (2005). The Evaluation of Sexual Abuse in Children. PEDIATRICS , 506 -512 . KidsData (2013). Child Abuse and Neglect in California. Retrieved from www.kidsdata.org/export/pdf?cat=2 LaVeist, T.A. (2011). Minority Populations and Health: An Introduction to Health Disparities in the United States. United Kingdom: John Wiley and Sons. Social services Agency (2013). Child Abuse Statistics. Retrieved from http://ssa.ocgov.com/abuse/child/statistics Stoltenborgh, M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M., & IJzendoorn, M. (2013). The neglect of child neglect: a meta-analytic review of the prevalence of neglect. Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology, 48(3), 345-355. Bajpai, N. (2009). Business Statistics. New Delhi: Pearson Education India. Black, K. (2011). Business Statistics: For Contemporary Decision Making. United Kingdom : John Wiley and Sons. Boeije, H. R. (2009). Analysis in Qualitative Research. United Kingdom : SAGE. Bucknall, S. (2012). Children as Researchers in Primary Schools: Choice, Voice and Participation. New York : Routledge. Gratton, C., & Jones, I. (2010). Research Methods for Sports Studies. New York : Taylor and Francis. Iwaniec, D. (2006). The Emotionally Abused and Neglected Child: Identification, Assessment and Intervention: A Practice Handbook . United Kingdom : John Wiley and Sons. Klenke, K. (2008). Qualitative Research in the Study of Leadership. United Kingdom : Emerald Group Publishing. Landy, F. J., & Conte, J. M. (2010). Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology. United Kingdom : John Wiley and Sons. Oliver, P. (2010). The StudentS Guide To Research Ethics. New York : McGraw-Hill International. Pelzer, D. (2010). A Child Called It. United Kingdom: Hachette UK. State Government of Victoria. (2011). What are the causes of child abuse? Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/children,-families-and-young-people/child-protection/about-child-abuse/what-is-child-abuse/what-are-the-causes-of-child-abuse Tovey, W. (2007). The Post-Qualifying Handbook for Social Workers. United States : Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Tracy, S. J. (2012). Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting Evidence, Crafting Analysis, Communicating Impact. United Kingdom : John Wiley and Sons. Interview Participant Information: Gender: __________ Age & grade level: ___________ Questions: 1. How does low socioeconomic status of the individuals affect the lives of the children? 2. What is the main form punishment you give your child? 3. What does the SES of family? 4. How do you discipline your children? 5. Are you addicted to alcohol or any type of drug? 6. How does your addiction to alcohol or other narcotic products tend to influence your behavior towards the children? Survey: 1. Are you employed? a) Yes b) No 2. What is your working class? a) Private b) Government c) Wage Worker d) Self Employed 3. How do you usually discipline your children? a) Hit anywhere b) Hit with open hands on child’s bottom c) Never hit, talk only 4. What is your annual income? a) 10,000 b) 10,000 -15,000 c) 15,001-25,000 d) 25,001-35,000 e) 35,001-50,000 5. Are you addicted to alcohol or any type of drug? a) Yes b) No 6. Your addiction to alcohol or other narcotic products tend to influence your behavior towards the children? a) Not at all b) Insignificantly c) Indifferent d) Much e) Very much Read More