Child Abuse 2 Essay Research Paper Child

average family size, the presence of a new baby or a disabled person in the home, and the death of

a family member. A large majority of reported cases of child abuse come from families living in

poverty. Child abuse also occurs in middle-class and wealthy families, but it is better reported

among the poor for several reasons. Wealthier families have an easier time hiding abuse because

they have less contact with social agencies than poor families. In addition, social workers,

physicians, and others who report abuse subjectively label children from poor families as victims

of abuse more often than children from rich families.

Alcohol and drug use, common among abusive parents, may aggravate stress and stimulate

violent behavior. Certain characteristics of children, such as mental retardation or physical or

developmental disabilities, can also increase the stress of parenting and the risk of abuse.

Social Isolation and Low Community Involvement

Parents and caretakers who abuse children tend to be socially isolated. Few violent parents

belong to any community organizations, and most have little contact with friends or relatives. This

lack of social involvement deprives abusive parents of support systems that would help them deal

better with social or family stress. Moreover, the lack of community contacts makes these parents

less likely to change their behavior to conform with community values and standards.

Cultural factors often determine the amount of community support a family receives. In

cultures with low rates of child abuse, child care is usually considered the responsibility of the

community. That is, neighbors, relatives, and friends help with child care when the parents are

unwilling or unable. In the United States, parents often shoulder child-care demands by themselves,

which may result in a higher risk of stress and child abuse.

Family Structure

Certain types of families have an increased risk of child abuse and neglect. For example,

single parents are more likely to abuse their children than married parents. However, single-parent

families usually earn less money than other families, so this may account for the increased risk of

abuse. Families with chronic marital discord or spousal abuse have higher rates of child abuse than

families without these problems. In addition, families in which either the husband or wife dominates

in making important decisions such as where to live, what jobs to take, when to have children,

and how much money to spend on food and housing have higher rates of child abuse than families

in which parents share responsibility for these decisions.

Effects on Children

The consequences of child abuse and neglect can be devastating and far-reaching. Physical

injuries can range from bruises, scrapes, and burns to brain damage, permanent disabilities, and

death. The psychological effects of abuse and neglect can last a lifetime and may include a lowered

sense of self-worth, an inability to relate to peers, reduced attention span, and learning disorders.

In severe cases, abuse may result in psychiatric disorders like depression, excessive anxiety, or

dissociative identity disorder, as well as an increased risk of suicide . Behavior problems often

develop after abuse, including violence and juvenile crime.

Children who are sexually abused initially may show an unusual interest in sexual organs.

They may demonstrate abnormal behavior, such as public masturbation or public display of their

genitals. Long-term effects may include depression, low self-esteem, and sexual problems, such as

avoidance of sexual contact, confusion about sexuality, or involvement in prostitution.

Despite being abused, the majority of maltreated children do not show signs of extreme

disturbance, and many can cope with their problems. A number of factors help insulate children

from the effects of maltreatment. These include high intelligence, good scholastic achievement,

good temperament, and having close personal relationships.

The growing social problem must some how become manageable. Stricter laws must be

enforced to prevent this ordeal. The impact of abuse is too painful to cope with during one s lifetime.

Society as a whole must join together to protect the children s future, otherwise, they

could become prone to greater violence and pass it on to their next generation.