Child Abuse and it's Role in Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
analytical Essay
1530 words
While reading the semi-autobiographical, Bastard Out of Carolina, by Dorothy Allison, I was stunned by the explicit nature of the novel. We were introduced to a young narrator and protagonist named, Ruth Anne “Bone” Boatwright. Bone's family, like that of the author, experienced a impoverished life, all the while she tried to find her place in a society that had literally labeled her “illegitimate.” Merriam-Webster defines illegitimate as being: (1) not recognized as lawful offspring; specifically: born of parents not married to each other (2) not rightly deduced or inferred- illogical (3) departing for the regular- erratic (4) not sanctioned by law- illegal (5) not authorized by good usage. As a young girl, how would it feel being known as illogical, erratic, illegal, not for good usage, and, in Bone's case, being constantly reminded of not knowing the identity of your birth father? According to helpguide.org, a non-profit online resource for mental health, the article “Child Abuse & Neglect” addressed how constantly being told you are stupid or no good, as a child, is very difficult to overcome. You may accept these negative thoughts and believe them to be reality. In this research paper, I am looking to unveil the truth of child abuse by focusing on the history, myths, and victim rehabilitation of child abuse. From a very young age, Bone was sexually abused by her step-father, Glen Waddell. Like Bone, Dorothy Allison also suffered abuse from her step-father, starting at the young age of five years-old. During the time of the novel, and until recent years, it was unthinkable to speak of any sort of abuse outside the household. Throughout history, children have been victims of abuse by their parents or other adults, and fo... ... middle of paper ... ...ting and Reporting Child Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2014. deMause, Lloyd . "The History of Child Abuse." The History of Child Abuse. N.p., 25 Sept. 1997. Web. 5 Apr. 2014. . "illegitimate." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. . "Mary Ellen Wilson." Mary Ellen Wilson. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. . "The Story of Mary Ellen." The Story of Mary Ellen. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2014. . Watkins, S.A. (1990). The Mary Ellen myth: Correcting child welfare history. Social Work, 35(6), pp. 500-503.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the explicit nature of the semi-autobiographical, bastard out of carolina, by dorothy allison. bone's family experienced an impoverished life while trying to find her place in a society that had literally labeled her "illegitimate."
- Explains that bone was sexually abused by her step-father, glen waddell, and dorothy allison, who also suffered abuse. the child-protection movement started with the news of an eight-year-old orphan named mary ellen wilson.
- States that they have no recollection of a time when they did not live with the connollys. mamma has been in the habit of whipping and beating them almost every day.
- Analyzes how bone's desperate need to have a father figure is heartbreaking, since most child abusers are family members or others close to the family.
- Opines that victims of abuse can suffer post-traumatic effects, such as feeling "worthless" or "damaged." the best way to identify the possibility of child abuse is through being aware of possible warning signs.
- Analyzes how dorothy allison's semi-autobiographical, bastard out of carolina, opens readers' eyes to a topic not commonly written about.
- Narrates how mary ellen's last hope for freedom lay in the hands of the american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
- Explains that mary ellen's story inspired the founding of the society for the prevention of cruelty to children.
- Explains that options are limited for abuse victims: to find help, they must face fear of more violence, deportation.
- Explains that demause, lloyd, "the history of child abuse." n.p., 25 sept. 1997.
- Explains the story of mary ellen. american humane, n.p., n.d.; watkins, s.a.
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- Homeless and Neglected Children in the 19th Centuryanalytical essayUniversity of Delaware Library. Our Forgotten Children: Resources on Child Abuse and Neglect. 4 Apr. 2002 .
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mark twain's novel huckleberry finn reflects the state of child welfare in the 19th century.
- Analyzes how twain shows the reader a glimpse of huck's life with pap, before his death, but this raises the question of which would be worse, living with an alcoholic and abusive parent, or living in the woods.
- Analyzes how the society for the prevention of cruelty to children (spcc) was established in new york in 1874 after the abused and neglected mary ellen wilson was saved by the spca.
- Explains that for most homeless and neglected children, life in an orphanage was not an option. the negative psychological effects on these children must have been vast.
- Explains that in the 19th century, neglected children were tended to through almshouses and the indenture process.
- Explains that charles loring brace established the new york children's aid society in 1853 to provide shelter for the large number of homeless children who resided in the city.
- Opines that the nycas seems subdued in its approach to child welfare, and that it would have been beneficial if programs aimed at helping parents existed in the 19th century.
- Analyzes how twain offers a realistic representation of huck's corporeal enjoyment of his life without adult rule.
- Analyzes how the public was beginning to rethink the placement of children in almshouses in the 19th century.
- Opines that ashby, leroy, and brown, herbert s., eds, endangered chidlren: dependency, neglect and abuse in american history.
- Explains the university of delaware library's resources on child abuse and neglect. waldfogel, jane. the future of child protection: how to break the cycle of abuse and neglect.
2096 wordsRead More - Mary Bell Murderanalytical essayMary Bell was a murderer, sadistic torturer of her victims, and a victim, more importantly she was a child. At the age of 10 Bell had killed two boys before the age of eleven. Growing up in the financially depressed town of Newcastle in England, in which Bell lived an impoverished life. Bell was born to her Betty Bell, a prostitute who suffered with mental illness and her father, presumed to be Billy Bell, a lifelong criminal who had a history of violence and was frequently unemployed. At the time of Mary’s birth, her parents were not married, and only married a few years after her birth.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that mary bell was a murderer, sadistic torturer of her victims, and more importantly she was an impoverished child growing up in newcastle, england.
- Analyzes how mary's mother, betty, was a poor example of what mother should be. a prostitute by profession often abandoned mary to perform sex acts.
- Explains that mary's father was abusive in the family home to both mary and her mother. a lifelong criminal, who was known to commit violent armed robberies, was not a good influence for mary.
- Explains that mary's hometown, in newcastle, england, was a crime-ridden slum area. she observed domestic violence, nuisance and violent crimes, and drunkenness.
- Opines that mary was a very young and impressionable child when she was victimized and witness to these horrible conditions in her surroundings.
- Explains that mary was known for violence by her teachers, sadistic in her behaviors, and befriended norma bell, a child with significant social disabilities.
- Describes how mary and norma killed a four-year-old boy named martin brown, who was mischievous and often absent from his parents. the death was investigated and theories including accidental overdose were considered.
- Analyzes how mary wrote about the murder of brown in her journal while at school. mary's drawings and writings went undetected for months.
- Narrates how brian howe was killed while playing unattended near abandoned homes in 1968. he was strangled, and his genitals were mutilated.
- Analyzes how criminological theories apply to mary bell's behavior and crimes, stating that her mother was cold and unattached to her as an infant and young child. the mutilation of the boy’s genital areas was a strike at the penis
- Analyzes how freud asserts that a person's behavioral development is the ultimate response of one’s interaction with its environment early in childhood.
- Argues that social disorganization theory applies to the case of mary bell. poverty was rampant within mary's town, leaving a path of destruction.
1172 wordsRead More - Child Abuse in Americaexplanatory essayThe effects of child abuse can be long lasting or maybe even fatal. “The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect estimates that 2.9 million children are abused or neglected by parents or caretakers each year” (“Child Abuse” Encarta). This fact is very disturbing to the many of us that don’t know child abuse was this common in the U.S.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that child abuse can be long-lasting or even fatal. the national center on child abuse and neglect estimates that 2.9 million children are abused or neglected by parents or caretakers each year.
- Describes the various types of child abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, and educational abuse.
- Explains that many people have difficulty understanding why any person would want to hurt a child. the public often assumes that the people that abuse their children suffer from mental illness but fewer than 10 percent of abusers have mental illnesses.
- Explains that child abuse results from a complex combination on personal, social, and cultural factors. intergenerational transmission of violence is displayed when abused children become abusive parents.
- Explains the effects of child abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
- Explains that there are many different forms of treatment for abused children, but the first step is always getting past the denial. there are anonymous hotlines for children to call in and receive help.
748 wordsRead More - The Tragedy of Child Abuse and Neglectexplanatory essayChild abuse has been defined as, any intentional act that results in physical or emotional harm to a child. This could cover any behavior from assault, to neglect, to molestation. (Encarta 1) In 1995, a study was done by the National Center on Child Abuse & Neglect. They concluded that in the United States alone, approximately 3 million children are victims of some sort of maltreatment each year. This means that an unimaginable amount of our county’s adolescents are being seriously mistreated, and the numbers are rising steadily. While the specific definition of child abuse may differ from state to state, the effects unfortunately do not. Physical maltreatment, neglect and sexual abuse create immediate problems for children, as well as long term damage. Some common effects on sufferers of abuse include, a lowered sense of self worth, an inability to relate to others, short attention span and often they develop learning disorders. More detrimental cases can develop severe depression or anxiety, schizophrenia, violent behavior and an increased risk of suicide. (Encarta 3) In some cases, abused children learn how to cope with their experiences and grow to healthy adults, but most are not that lucky. Most victims of abuse are forced to deal with the results for their entire lives.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that child abuse is any intentional act that results in physical or emotional harm to a child. in the united states alone, approximately 3 million children are victims of maltreatment each year.
- Explains that physical abuse is one of the most common forms of child maltreatment. it can begin as soon as conception and includes any deliberate act of violence meant to injure or kill.
- Explains that out of the 3 million children abused in this country every year, 52% of them suffer some form of neglect, whether it is physical or emotional.
- Explains that even minor neglect can have negative repercussions on a child's personality development. genie was unable to talk, run, stand up straight, eat or do any of her god-given rights.
- Explains that sexual abuse is the least common, least discussed, but often considered the most detrimental. there was little research on the subject prior to the late 1970s.
- Explains that sexual abuse has a "sleeper effect" on many childhood cases, and that it is more apt to occur in poverty-stricken families.
1864 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Who Owns Child Abuse By Gerald Cradockanalytical essay‘Who Owns Child Abuse?’ is a piece of literature drafted by Dr. Gerald Cradock. The article touches on child abuse in terms of how the meaning has changed over time. Cradock compares the nineteenth and twentieth centuries’ ideologies on the origins of the child abuser. The two centuries convey a distinct approach to differentiating between the abusers and the non-abusers. My perspective on the statements Cradock discusses is generally in agreement. I understand that people’s points of view change over time. There is a fundamental core of an ideology, but there is never constancy in the components that follow.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how dr. gerald cradock compares the nineteenth and twentieth centuries' ideologies on the origins of the child abuser.
- Analyzes how cradock uses the symbolic interactionism perspective to differentiate between abusers and non-abusers.
- Concludes that the article's statements are ones that leave the reader thinking about the changes that child abuse have undergone, but also give them the opportunity to think about potential changes in the future.
- Analyzes how dr. gerald cradock's article makes a vital argument in terms of the changes in child abuse and the abuser over time.
712 wordsRead More - The Truth About Foster Careanalytical essayStout, M., & Encarnacao, J. (2013, December 4). Foster care abuse ‘very, very troubling’. Boston Herald. Retrieved from http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/12/foster_care_abuse_very_very_troubling
In this essay, the author
- Explains that 42% of children in care are caucasian, which indicates that over 100,000 children come from the image of the ideal family.
- Explains that every child in the system needs a caseworker who can inform them on what their circumstances are regarding the legal side.
- Explains that the foster care system has shattered everything the ideal american family stood for by allowing abuse, both physical and psychological, to go undetected.
- Analyzes how foster care exemplifies demolition in the ideal family. teenagers in care face a serious threat when they turn eighteen.
- Explains that foster children are forced to make a life of their own after their 18th birthday. the perfect family isn't strong enough to overcome their individual issues.
- Explains that lamar west, 20, was adopted out of the illinois child welfare system when he was five by frankie lee west. he lived with eight children but moved out when the home became too crowded.
- Explains that lamar is now another case of a failed adoption. the ideal american family would not have to adopt children nor would they leave their children to live on their own.
- Explains that those in foster care are in the system for a reason and most are agonized with psychological problems.
- Explains that the foster care system focuses on children who are taken away from their guardians due to pressing issues that are time-dependent. with tax cuts, the program has suffered along with those who stand behind it.
- Analyzes how dave pelzer's memoir, the lost boy, shows how he struggles to find a family to love and accept him.
- Explains that cris beam is of to the end of june: the intimate life of american foster care.
- Analyzes how beam wanted to break apart the foster care system from the inside out. she visited and researched extensively, and lived with a couple who took in families of children.
- Opines that the system features the concept of the perfect american family. lack of funding and support of foster care is the logic behind the low number of parents.
- Opines that the only way to make progress is to ask foster children what they want instead of making laws for them. even with the few positive effects, foster care cannot survive the thrashing waters of the truth.
- Cites stout, m., and encarnacao, j. (2013, december 4). foster care abuse ‘very, very troubling’. boston herald.
- Argues that foster care is a positive program, but highlights the destruction of the ideal american family in the united states.
- Explains that foster care is important because of child abuse and/or neglect. the department of children's service evaluates if a child is being taken care of properly.
- Explains that a child's brain is the most demanding stage of development in ages three to four, and it will take another seventeen years before it is fully developed.
- Opines that foster care agencies should have parents understand the other side of care. temporary care, or respite, may be needed over an occasional weekend so the foster parent do not become frazzled.
- Cites babbel, s., shields, m. and behrman, r. (2004). the foster care system and its victims.
- Cites coontz, s., dietz and o'donnell, who advocate for foster care in america.
- Opines that the foster care system is flawed and should be eliminated.
2973 wordsRead More - Children and Maternal Incarcerationopinion essayAs a result of the small number of mothers in jail or prison, the stigma surrounding these women and their families is extremely negative (Wright and Seymour 12). The stigma is not only placed on the mothers themselves, but almost always extended to their children. This can lead to children keeping their situation a secret from friends, teachers and peers out of fear and insecurity. In a study done with the Bi...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that protections will need to be put in place to preserve the mother-child bond during their sentence and in the process of release. contact and visitation between mother and child can decrease the negative emotional, social and developmental effects caused by maternal incarceration.
- Explains that mothers serving time in jail or prison are more severely affected than children whose fathers are incarcerated. mothers were likely their children’s primary guardian and caregiver before their sentence.
- Analyzes how the stigma of having an incarcerated mother plays a large role in all of the ways that children suffer due to their mother's sentence.
- Opines that children are hurt by maternal incarceration because of the stigma surrounding women in prison.
- Explains that children react to the stresses of maternal incarceration differently depending on many factors. girls experience anger, aggression, and school problems, while boys exhibit external problems.
- Opines that the absence of a parent can trigger feelings of abandonment for children, especially those of repeat offenders.
- Opines that the feeling of abandonment can be eased with appropriate contact between mother and child. women typically serve their sentences in prisons designated for women only.
- Explains that maternal incarceration can lead to anger, aggressive behaviors, anxiety, depression, and withdrawal from social interaction later in life. some prisons have designed programs that allow mothers to stay with their newborn child.
- Explains that children of incarcerated mothers also have social problems in school. many children are teased and ridiculed by their peers because of their mother's sentence.
- Explains that the trauma caused by the separation is detrimental to all aspects of a child's life.
- Opines that incarceration of a parent isn't the sole factor in harming children. children are exposed to crime, violence, poverty, and abuse. programs and alternatives to help the children need to recognize this.
- Explains that visitation in prison could be made easier and more widely available. restrictions make it almost impossible for children to maintain contact with their parents.
- Explains that the nursery at bedford hills correctional facility is the oldest and arguably most successful prison alternative.
- Explains that removing mothers and allowing them to serve the rest of their sentence at a community based facility with their children is becoming an option for more and more women because the majority of crimes committed by women in the u.s. are drug related and non-violent.
- Explains that the effects of maternal incarceration vary widely for each individual child. support needs to be put in place for children who do not have it already.
- Cites davis, elizabeth, diana brazell, nancy g. la vigne, and tracey shollenberger. understanding the experiences and needs of children of incarcerated parents.
- Explains that mothers, infants, and imprisonment: a national look at prison nurseries and community-based alternatives. ross d. parke and k. alison clarke-stewart.
1793 wordsRead More - Child Abuse in Americaanalytical essayChildren who grow up being abused physically or mentally will develop problems and the response by children to abuse and neglect could manifest in behaviors of delinquency such as dropping out of school, drugs, alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, prostitution, self-mutilation, stealing and other crimes and offenses. It does not matter whether you are born into a wealthy, middle class or poor family; children who are abused commit most of the same acts of delinquency.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that children who grow up being abused physically or mentally will develop problems and the response by children to abuse and neglect could manifest in behaviors of delinquency such as dropping out of school, drugs, alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, prostitution, self-mutilation, stealing.
- Explains how the juvenile justice system has explored and researched ways to prevent juvenile delinquency and help children who are juvenile offenders. programs such as upward bound, technical schools, after school programs, and government agencies have failed.
- Explains that juvenile delinquency starts in the home and there is not enough attention paid to the family dynamics. parents should be the ones who make children feel loved, protected, and wanted.
- Opines that a loving home provides the elements discussed in the article, family relationships and delinquency, by stephen a. cernkovich and peggy c. giordan.
- Analyzes how professor currie's book, "the road to whatever," spoke of troubled adolescents from middle class families who had been in drug rehabilitation programs, run away from home, and lived on the streets without anyone caring from them.
- Analyzes how professor currie revealed details about their home life, including parents who were alcoholics, drug addicts and weak and unable to provide support. parents kicked their children out of the home for minor infractions.
- Analyzes how the reaction to their parents' treatment caused the children to become angry, depressed, suicidal, and defiant. the stress of having to conform to the high cultural demands caused them to find pleasure and acceptance.
- Analyzes how professor curries wrote about the professionals responsible for providing treatment for troubled adolescents.
- Opines that the professional community and parents need to realize that problems developed from years of abuse and neglect will not be solved during a few weeks stay in treatment facilities. the answer to having abused children causing them to be filled with anger and pain is not to kick them out of the home.
- Explains that troubled adolescents were kicked out of treatment facilities if they relapsed or didn't "kick their habits". there was no follow-up care for adolescents who left the treatment programs, and they were expected to change their behavior on their own.
- Opines that the troubled adolescents in professor currie’s book are america's hidden secret. america doesn't want the world to know that she has a hurting white middle class.
- Narrates how they were troubled adolescent because of their mother who didn't like them from the age of birth. she cursed, slapped, kicked and molested them at 15 years old.
- Explains that the labeling theory written about juvenile delinquency and justice textbook states, if you label a child that is what he will most like become.
- Opines that parents must take their place in the lives of children and be held to a higher standard of parenting, if our children are to be saved.
1545 wordsRead More - Child Molestationexplanatory essay...of Sexual Abuse." Recognizing Signs of Sexual Abuse. Child and Family Institute, 2001. Web. 21 Apr.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how mark e. jones, a public school teacher from california, was charged with twenty-eight counts of lewd (lustful) conduct with four boys under the age of fourteen.
- Explains that in the united states, there are many different cultural groups and traditions. one belief that is not accepted in all races is child molestation.
- Explains that child molestation is a problem in the united states that is not really talked about as much as others.
- Explains that most perpetrators of child molestation are men in the neighborhood or a man in white van, but in reality they are father figures. they hide it and leave their abuse untreated causing the effects that they have.
- Explains the signs and effects of child molestation, such as their fear of showers and restrooms, and their fears of interpersonal relationships.
- Explains that the effects of being molested can last for the victim's entire life, but there are effects that happen shortly after it has happened.
- Explains that child sexual abuse and child molestation is illegal in every state in the united states. louisiana, montana, south carolina, oklahoma, and texas are the only states that allow the death penalty.
- Explains that child molestation is common, but not as popular because of lack of reporting. victims are abused by someone who is close to them and they trust. if the victim does not seek medical attention, they will have long-term effects from that abuse.
- Cites the american psychological association's website, "understanding child sexual abuse: education, prevention and recovery."
- Analyzes the case of kennedy v. louisiana. google scholar. supreme court of the united states. 2008.
828 wordsRead More - Parties that Usually Report Child Abuse to Authoritiesexplanatory essaySedlak, A.J. (February, 2001). A history of the National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and
In this essay, the author
- Explains that when children are hurt physically, emotionally, or sexually, it is known as child abuse. third parties who report abuse or neglect are called child protected services or child welfare.
- Explains that there are so many people who could be considered third parties who are obligated by state laws to report any type of neglect or abuse to the proper authorities.
- Explains that being first responders to a fire scene can be dangerous if not approached in an appropriate manner.
- Explains that first responders eye the scenery to see if any vehicles are hurriedly leaving the scene. they are conscious of the circumstance surrounding the flame and smoke, what course the fire has taken, and how to use certain techniques.
- Explains that many people grow marijuana on the inside of their homes, especially if their landlords are not making frequent visits. some marijuana growers do not put bills in their name, but there are indicators that show otherwise.
- Explains that darken windows may indicate that they just want to keep the neighbors from seeing inside of the home, or when someone turns their home into a greenhouse in which high temperature may fog up the window seals.
- Opines that schools, law enforcement, and the community need to be more aware of gang indicators.
- Explains that gang activity is not limited to graffiti and bandannas, but other indicators as well, such as secret codes tattooed on specific parts of the body, suspicious marks, and slang talk.
- Explains the various ways that an officer may improve his chances of spotting a stolen vehicle.
- Explains that police may search for a stolen vehicle in areas where they have located other stolen vehicles before.
- Cites bullock, tilley, chuang, y.c., and garis, l.
1283 wordsRead More