This essay aims to unveil elements of Child abuse in relation to the contemporary society. Children are a vital weapon to perpetuate development and continuity in the society. This awareness equips the reader of my essay with a need to safeguard the welfare of the child at any level. The reader shall also identify critical circumstances of child abuse and the appropriate measures to curb its spread.
Prior to this assignment, my dominant understanding of child abuse has always rested at the level of strangers attacking innocent children. Completion of this task shifted my focus to the common source of the problem, the relatives of the child. As I went deeper into my research, I began to gain insights into the critical elements that endear the child to a potential abuser, particularly from the household.
While tackling this assignment, I encountered a challenge in selecting the right article for my research work. The challenge gave me fresh insights into the topic and helped me understand the pertinent nuances that entail research work and project writing. To solve this problem, I designed an outline for my research outlining the relevant aspects plus a checklist for the type of databases and sources I would like.
Handling this assignment was filled with fun in so many ways. The most enjoyable part entailed delving into great articles that widened my perspective on child abuse. I love reading informative articles on contemporary issues. This one was no exception.
As a student at {name your school}, my greatest desire is to see a world that is sensitive to the rights of children. I recognize that it is not easy to spread the word to many people. However, the most significant step to finding a solution to any problem is getting as much information on the topic as possible. This essay is an attempt to enlighten everyone around me on this crucial topic.
The Annotated Bibliography
. Web. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
Online dictionary was helpful in deriving the meaning of child abuse. The different variations of abuse created a base to select a comprehensive definition.
Child Abuse and Neglect: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Help and Prevention". helpguide.org. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
This web page enabled me to get relevant types of child abuse. The page displays adequate information and link guides for further reading.
Golden, J.A., Prather, W.. A behavioral perspective of childhood trauma and attachment issues: toward alternative treatment approaches for children with a history of abuse. International Journal of Behavioral and Consultation Therapy, (2009) V.5, 56-74.
This online journal was appropriate in establishing relevant effects of child abuse. Prather outlines appropriate measures of prevention and treatment through concise therapies.
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/child-sexual-abuse. Web. Retrieved 23 2012.
This web article provided a case study of ill patients in a Canadian medical center. The graphs and figurative presentation was summarizing and relevant.
Leeb, R.T.; Paulozzi, L.J.; Melanson, C.; Simon, T.R.; Arias, I. (1 January 2008). "Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements". . Retrieved 23 December 2012.
This journal provides a connective link between cause and effect in Child abuse. The two aspects establish preventive measures for the children, parents, and caretakers.
Theoklitou, D,. Kabitisis, N., Kabitsi, A. (2011). Physical and emotional abuse of primary school children by teachers. Child Abuse & Neglect, V. 36, 64-70
This article dwells on institutions as critical areas that acclimatize child abuse issues. Pages 65 and 66 focus on disabled children in schools.
Demystifying Child abuse in the society
Children are an important asset in any society. They are a symbol of continuity in the household, society and a nation. These young people are a source of joy and fun in the household. As they take their journey through the developmental phases, in quest for understanding, they often get too inquisitive and always keep the house alive in search for answers to life states and conditions. Unfortunately, some parents and guardians fail to realize the blessing in the child. Such parents mistreat or neglect their children. Mistreatment occurs in different forms. They can be physical, emotional, or sexual. These kinds of treatment constitute child abuse. The Department for Children and Families regard child abuse as omission or commission acts by parents or caregivers that harm the child or exposes them to harm. This paper will discuss the significant elements that constitute child abuse. The development plot entails the following parts, categories of child abuse, its causes, effects, and prevention of the vice.
Four major categories of child abuse exist today. The categories include physical abuse, psychological abuse, neglect and sexual abuse (helpguide.org). The categories listed above can take place anywhere. The homes of the child, schools, or any other community that the child interacts are the major places that the abuse occurs. Busy parents in America, probably on two jobs tend to neglect their young children. They leave them to foster homes or nannies. These people lack the parental affection that the parent can bestow on the kid. Other parents also get tyrannical in disciplining the child and employ crude strategies that harm the kid, for instance, locking the child in the attic for two weeks without food. Some caretakers also get sexual and maltreat the child in the hope of deriving sexual satisfaction. These actions are detrimental to the child’s welfare.
What are the causes of these malpractices in the society? Famous scholars attributed the causes of child abuse to the type of parents in the family. Some parents have perfect expectations in their children. They expect their children to be extremely responsible and to make no mistake. Sigmund Freud contradicts this expectation citing that as the child develops, they make several mistakes, which contribute to their learning. The frustration and rebellion of this repressed child result into physical or neglect abuse.
Disabled children are also likely to be abused while at school. Their peeers or teachers neglect such children. They spend lonely times in psychological trauma and frustrations. Lastly, drug and substance abuse is another critical cause of child abuse. Parents or caretakers who take drugs like alcohol, or heroin tend to abuse their children. Some parents and caretakers engage the child in sexual abuse, which hurt the child.
The effects of child abuse to the child are numerous and unfathomable. They can be psychological or physical. An abused child has the tendency to develop psychiatric disorders. The children often get depressed and experience dissociative symptoms. A hospital in Canada found out that around 36% to 76% of mentally ill patients who were women in their outpatient department had a history of child abuse (Child abuse factsheets). This figure is a support of several others that strike the inherent relationship between child abuse and mental disorder problems. Physical abuse may result into fractures and concussions. These fractures can develop into cancerous cells. Moreover, Child abuse statistics project that most abused children tend to become juveniles and susceptible to criminal activities at adulthood.
After a comprehension of the causes and effects of Child abuse, the task remaining is to prevent any occurrence of a child’s abuse. It is also critical to recommend a few conventional techniques of treating abused children. Parenting skills need a support group structure to reinforce its effectiveness in monitoring a child’s well being. Institutions like the church and schools have a mandate to design programs that teach the children to avoid potentially unsafe situations. In case of a child abuse victim, medical therapies are available in medical centers to counter the traumatic effects. A recommended therapy by Golden Prather, a behavioral therapist is the Rational Cognitive Emotive Behavior (Prather: P 56-74).
In conclusion, child abuse is an issue that affects everyone in the society. The need to safeguard children’s rights is a priority to all sane people. Having discussed child abuse; its causes, effects, prevention and treatment, the last bit entails action. All humane people have a responsibility to wake up and uphold the future of tomorrow, inherent in the children.
Reference
. Web. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
Child Abuse and Neglect: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Help and Prevention". helpguide.org. Retrieved 23 December 2012
Golden, J.A., Prather, W.. A behavioral perspective of childhood trauma and attachment issues: toward alternative treatment approaches for children with a history of abuse. International Journal of Behavioral and Consultation Therapy, (2009) V.5, 56-74.
http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/factsheets/child-sexual-abuse. Web. Retrieved 23 2012.
Leeb, R.T.; Paulozzi, L.J.; Melanson, C.; Simon, T.R.; Arias, I. (1 January 2008). "Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements". . Retrieved 23 December 2012.
Theoklitou, D,. Kabitisis, N., Kabitsi, A. (2011). Physical and emotional abuse of primary school children by teachers. Child Abuse & Neglect, V. 36, 64-70
