Though the cause and effect of child abuse can vary, it is a common problem within families. Today countless stories are documented of kids being abused by loved ones, in government programs, by caregivers and in other places deemed safe for children. However, because child abuse is a reoccurring factor in the history of America, the government is currently passing laws that enforce stricter punishment to individuals that cause maltreatment. To predict if a child will be abused is impossible to tell, however there are studies that have compiled a composite of families in which child abuse can potentially occur. According to a maltreatment fact sheet maintained by the CDC, families at risk are those with a disabled child, domestic violence, family economic disadvantages, substance abuse, parents young in age, mental health conditions, or a violent environment.
Psychologists provide the best treatment by immersing themselves inside the child’s situation and connecting with what the child sees. Furthermore, psychologist use a strategy of taking small steps in the overall treatment. Sadly, over the years, there’s been an increase in the volume of cases that psychologists see each year. Domestic violence has increased over the years and has become a major issue for the children that live through it. In a study organized by David Wolfe, researchers concluded that from 1990 to 1993, there was an increase of 256,112 child abuse cases (Wolfe11).
Physical child abuse has grown dramatically in recent years. There are news stories about children being abused or neglected everyday. Physical abuse will cause the child to have many psychological effects throughout life. Although people might not realize, society can impact an abused child dramaticlly either positively or negatively. Even though there are many things wrong with child abuse, there are many controversies over how serious it is and how to prevent it from happening.
Though this study was found to have many repeated cases, the government estimated that the number of cases had risen to 100,000 to 200,000 cases per year. Dr. Vincent Fontana, a doctor at New York City’s Foundling Hospital estimated that one and a half million children would be abused in any given year (Child Abuse). He predicted that 300,000 victims will be permanently injured, physically and/or emotionally, and that in the next five to ten year period 50,000 children will die (2,000 per year). He also predicted that it would surpass the top four leading causes of death (accidents, cancer, physical defects, and pneumonia). Child abuse can be classified into four basic groups: 1.
This type of abuse is where the hitting, yelling, spanking, and even sexual abuse come into play. Children are not only hurt in the present time of growing up, but in the future as well. This problem of abuse harms many individuals each day, and the repercussions are felt by all of society. Incidence and Severity Many people should be worried about this phenomenon because it is very severe. More than three million cases of child abuse are reported each year.
Dare to envision a young child who is helplessly beaten, who starves every night because her mother decided to spend the money on her drug habit, or visualize a child that is always covering up for his mother because the police are questioning why he is always home alone. These things are not uncommon, child abuse and neglect happen in staggering numbers all over the country. Cases of child abuse and neglect are reported every ten seconds in the United States. This is an ongoing issue, that not only affects the present, but it will increase complication in the future as well. There are many things that are a result of child abuse that follows them through into their adulthood such as, poor physical health, poor emotional and mental health, social difficulties, cognitive dysfunction, high-risk health behaviors, and behavioral problems.
A child that is abused will most likely be abused until they are a teenager and will usually find themselves in an abusive relationship later in life, if they’re not being abused they will usually be the abuser. The child will most likely be effected by the abuse their whole lives, and will need therapy in some point in their lives. But most cannot afford it so they live with the thoughts of being abused all their lives. Many people are not aware of the long-term effects abuse can have on a child. Whether a child experiences abused, or witnesses it, the effects often affect the physical, intellectual, and emotional growth of the child.
Reunification with a parent is the most common goal that is set forth by Child Protective Services even though recurrent abuse is likely to happen based upon the prior type of abuse and the age of the child (Connell et al., 2009). Child maltreatment is becoming a prevalent problem that has numerous consequences for both the child and family. The Center of Disease Control and prevention defines child abuse as any act or series of events that results in harm, potential harm or threatens the child’s safety (Webb, 2007). While many people believe that child maltreatment is simply physical many other forms of maltreatment occur; sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment are also common forms of abuse. Domestic Violence is also included in the definition of child maltre... ... middle of paper ... ...l parents as soon as the home is safe again.
Being abused at a young age affects you throughout life because you are doing what was done to you which you thought was right. One way childhood abuse has a propensity on children lives growing up were physical. Children who feel perpetually in danger grow up with a high stress response. Later it heightens their emotions, makes it difficult to sleep, lowers immune function, and over time increases the risk of a number of physical illnesses. Adult survivors of child abuse are at increased risk of a heart attack from all the pain and suffering.
These kinds of abuses harm the child’s mental and physical health. The emotional and psychological effects of maltreatment may be far more harmful to the well being of the child than the apparent physical injury. Many studies indicate that abused children are at increase risk of becoming like their parents and repeating the abusive pattern of child rearing to which they were exposed (national committee for prevention of child abuse 1983). Background Child abuse and neglect has recently become the focus of attention of all prevention centers and organizations for children care. Mistreatment of children has existed through history.