Incidences of Child Abuse - Essay Example

Child Abuse Child abuse holds immediate, short-term and long-term negative consequences for the child.The definition of child abuse is somewhat unclear and the effects are mixed but without question abuse is a detriment to children, families and ultimately, to society as a whole. Once defined, its prevalence is surprising but its long-term effects are incriminating. Child abuse in various forms, shapes, sizes and manners is one of the fastest spreading epidemics. Its greatest effects are that of corrupting innocence, inflicting pain and imparting fear to a heart that only wants the love and protection that it is supposed to be due. ‘Child neglect’ or ‘child abuse’ is an ambiguous and all-encompassing term used to describe actions perpetrated by parents on children which are universally deemed harmful by society and as defined by law. Many degrees of child neglect exist within two main categories, emotional/psychological and physical. Historically speaking, child neglect is a relatively new concept and its meaning is in a constant state of evolution. Until the early nineteenth century, child neglect was more or less a way of life, especially for poor children. The terminology may be a new concept but the practice is long-lived. Throughout the history of mankind, children have been abandoned, killed, mutilated, kidnapped, raped, jailed and otherwise exploited in various ways. For example, children during colonial times in America were regularly beaten with whips because this practice was thought an important aspect of instilling discipline. Until the early nineteenth century, very young children regularly were forced to work more than 12 hours a day, six or seven days per week in mills, factories and mines (Daro, 1988). At the time, neither whipping nor forced labor was considered child abuse or neglect and children had no recourse but to endure what today would be considered horrific living conditions. Largely because of the labor movement in the mid-1900s, many states enacted laws that defined child neglect, required health care workers to report suspected neglect cases and outline punishment for offenders (McCurdy & Daro, 1994). Congress gave a formal definition to neglect and stipulated actions states must take so that children would be protected from abuses when it ratified the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act in 1974. Many influences determine whether a child may be considered ‘at risk’ for neglect. The personality and past experiences of the parent, the family’s economic circumstances and the temperament of the child all are contributing factors to the overall health of the home life. Parents who were themselves victims of neglect, have psychological issues, monetary problems or believe in stern discipline techniques beyond what is commonly considered acceptable are ‘at risk’ for neglecting their children. The child’s gender and age are also factors that could heighten the possibility for neglect. Though cases of neglect are found in every socioeconomic circumstance, a disproportionate number emanate from low-income families. However, emotional and sexual abuse is not as closely linked to the family’s financial status (Finkelhor, 1986). National studies have found that families who subsist in low socioeconomic conditions are strongly correlated to incidences of child neglect. Though this correlation is not fully understood, the additional frustrations and stress that come from living in poverty may, in combination with a more severe approach to methods of punishment by some, increase the chance that physical violence will occur in the home. Those more susceptible to neglect include girls, young children, infants and children who have less than affable temperaments. Babies who suffer neglect from being shaken are an all too common occurrence. This form of neglect commonly causes brain damage and death. Instances of neglected infants are more likely to be reported to child services than are the abuses of older children (Sedlak & Broadhurst, 1996). Children do not always suffer negative lifetime effects as a result of neglect. The type of neglect (duration, severity and frequency), child’s age, relationship with parents and psychological/emotional make-up all vary extensively from case to case. Children possess varying abilities to deal with neglect. Some are exceedingly resilient and even thrive after experiencing neglect. Children who are generally optimistic, have a sense of humor, are independent in nature, have a high intellect and high level of self esteem have a better chance to overcome negative experiences. Other factors such as access to a supportive adult, the stability of the surrounding community and degree of health care access are described ‘protective factors’ that can be helpful in alleviating long-term adverse consequences of child neglect (Thomlison, 1997). Child neglect has been proven to cause the vital regions of the brain to develop improperly. This results in diminished emotional, mental and physical development which causes a wide-array of maladies. Neglected children often suffer from feelings of fear, isolation and lose their ability to trust in others which transforms into an increased chance for developing psychological disorders including depression and perceptions of low self-worth, effects which could last a lifetime. Studies have concluded that most children that suffer from neglectful circumstances exhibit deficiencies in emotional and mental health as compared to those that were not. One study found up to 80 percent of those that had been neglected as children were diagnosed with no less than one psychiatric condition by the age of 21. Their psychological problems included anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide and eating disorders among others (Silverman, Reinherz & Gia When exposed to threatening or brutal emotional and/or physical treatment, children experience traumatic stress disorders that require exceptional coping skills. Instances of domestic violence are usually unanticipated and uncontrollable which serve to devastate a family member’s sense of well-being and security. Negative effects that could damage a person’s psyche for a lifetime may result from a one-time occurrence and worsens from prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences involving family violence. (Meichenbaum, 1994). Abused children are at considerably higher risk than others to act out in a delinquent manner, abuse drugs, drop-out of school, and experience difficulties in relationships with family and friends. All of these dynamics combine to disrupt the family unit. Children of differing ages exhibit a broad range of responses from exposure to violence within their family. Children of preschool and kindergarten age seldom understand why they are being abused. They usually tend to think that they have done something wrong and this self-blame can advance feelings of worry, guilt and apprehension. Younger children in general do not have the intellectual or emotional capability to sufficiently articulate their opinions verbally. Because of this, the expressions of these emotions are often behavioral in nature. (Graham-Bermann, 1994). Though child neglect and abuse in most every instance occurs within the family unit, its impact extends to the whole of society. Society pays for child neglect in direct as well as indirect ways. Direct expenditures include costs involved in the maintenance of child protective services who investigates claims of child neglect. Additionally, the judicial system, law enforcement and health facilities must respond to and care for neglected children and intervene in the family situation. A report by Prevent Child Abuse America in 2001 estimated that the annual cost of child neglect at $24 billion. Indirect expense takes into account the long-term consequences of child neglect which includes drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, criminal actions and mental illness. These expenses also include counting the loss of production due to underemployment or unemployment and the increased cost of many other social services over a person’s lifetime. The indirect costs are estimated by Prevent Child Abuse America to exceed $70 billion every year (Prevent Child Abuse America, 2001). Incidences of child abuse, a growing problem in the U.S., affect the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development of children, produces disharmony in the family unit and instigates harmful lifetime problems for all concerned. Children of differing ages exhibit a broad range of responses from exposure to violence within their family. Children of preschool and kindergarten age seldom understand why they are being abused. They usually tend to think that they have done something wrong and this self-blame can advance feelings of worry, guilt and apprehension. Younger children in general do not have the intellectual or emotional capability to sufficiently articulate their opinions verbally. Because of this, the expressions of these emotions are often behavioral in nature. During the past century, a national awareness and resulting desire to curb the instances and affects of child neglect has emerged which has caused legislation to be enacted. The definition of neglect and degree to which the government should be involved has been a subject of much debate and research. The long-term effects of child neglect varies depending on the level of neglect and degree to which the child is resilient but unquestionably, it negatively affects the child both in the present and future, their family and the whole of society. References Daro, D. (1988). Confronting child abuse: Research for effective program design. New York: The Free Press, Macmillan. Finkelhor, D. & Baron, L. (1986). “High risk children.” A sourcebook of child sexual abuse. D. Finkelhor, S. Arajii, L. Baron, et al., eds. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage, pp. 60–88. Graham-Bermann, S. (1994). Preventing Domestic Violence. MI: University of Michigan. McCurdy, K. & Daro, D. (1994). “Child maltreatment: A national survey of reports and fatalities.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Vol. 9, I. 1, pp. 75–94. Meichenbaum, D. (1994). A Clinical Handbook/Practical Therapist Manual for Assessing and Treating Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ontario, Canada: Institute Press. Meichenbaum, D. (1994). A Clinical Handbook/Practical Therapist Manual for Assessing and Treating Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ontario, Canada: Institute Press. Prevent Child Abuse America. (2001). Total estimated cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States. Available March 4, 2009 from http://member.preventchildabuse.org/site/DocServer/cost_analysis.pdf?docID=144 Sedlak, A.J. & Broadhurst, D.D. The Third National Incidence Study of child abuse and neglect. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Silverman, A. B., Reinherz, H. Z., & Giaconia, R. M. (1996). “The long-term sequelae of child and adolescent abuse: A longitudinal community study.” Child Abuse and Neglect. Vol. 20, N. 8, pp. 709-723. Thomlison, B. (1997). “Risk and protective factors in child maltreatment.” Risk and resilience in childhood: An ecological perspective. M. W. Fraser (Ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press. Read More