Mary Ellen Wilson: Child Abuse In America

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Since the case of Mary Ellen Wilson in 1874, child abuse has seen it’s share of light in published news. It is disheartening to read countless stories of future generations being harmed to the extent of psychological damage or even death. Child abuse as a whole has been addressed multiple times in various news blogs, however, nothing has been done to work towards abolishing it at a larger level. The future of America is in jeopardy based on the level of abuse that children endure. Childhelp states that approximately 5 children die every day at the hands of child abuse. America struggles to find equality, and by bystanding the stripping of its youth, continual prolonging is inevitable. Raising this nation’s children in means of nurturing and care is the first step to uplifting America as a whole. In 2012 alone, 1593 of America’s children died at the hands of child abuse, 70.3% of which were younger than the age of three (Safe Horizon). In order to prevent further child abuse, the American government should address stricter child protection laws, psychological stability, and an increase the recognition of those that have released their stories. Stories: Mary Ellen Wilson: Mary Ellen Wilson. Born in 1864 to Francis and Thomas Wilson later taken in by Mary McCormack Connolly, the young girl was ill-informed as to how she would live her childhood. Whipped, chained, and malnourished, Mary was forced into labor unfit for a mere child. As reported by American Humane neighbors in Mary Ellen’s “apartment building were aware of the child’s plight,” but did nothing in means of protection. Later the family moved into another home, but an original neighbor of the Connolly’s, Etta Angell Wheeler, reported to the Mary Connolly... ... middle of paper ... ...ental scar for the children involved, a sense of public injustice for the parents, and the usage of at least $15 million (NY Times). Gained from the case was an overall sense of seriousness regarding child abuse and an increase of federal activity in relation to child abuse scares. The case serves as a reminder that child abuse, in occurrence or not is dealt with as if acts of abuse occurred. David James Pelzer: Dave Pelzer, also known as the child that was called “It.” An American author of several autobiographical novels including his most famous 1995 memoir A Child Called It, was actually the recipient of years of child abuse at the hands of his mother, Catherine. Reading his novels, you would think that such graphic content would only be fit in a fiction book, however, the reality of his mother’s so called “games” stands as a memory that Dave carries

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