Introduction
Poverty in America is not indicated by a specific income level, as most people think, but instead by a comparison of 48 possible poverty thresholds taking into account family size and composition without regard to geographic locations (Macartney, 2011). For example, the poverty threshold for a family of 5 with two children under the age of 18 would be $27,517 (census.gov 2013); an amount that would be difficult to live off of in major cities where the cost of living is much higher. According to the Current Population Survey, 2013 Annual Social and Economic Supplement for the year 2012, there are 46.5 million people in America who are living in poverty, including 21.8 percent of children under the age of 18; the highest percentage since 2001 (census.gov 2013).
There is no doubt that poverty has a dramatic effect on how families function and is highly correlated to the child maltreatment and neglect (Berger, 2004) that affects 1 in 5 children. There are many common factors associated with the stress of living in poverty that are indicators of potential child maltreatment or neglect. By identifying patterns that occur in child maltreatment cases, among those living in poverty, data can be used to adapt social programs that will reduce the occurrence of child maltreatment.
An overview of neglect
Physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and neglect all occur among families living in poverty. Neglect is the most prevalent form of abuse among families living in poverty, accounting for more than half of all CPS investigations (Berger, 2004); although poor people may be more likely to have been reported to CPS due to a greater level of surveillance (Merritt, 2009). In a study group of 259 children recruited from pediatric clinics s...
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Show MoreNumerous studies have been conducted that indicate mothers with depression prior to birth and after birth can affect infant development. These include cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional aspects. This paper will be examining two articles with similar methodologies and various responses displayed in the participants. Both articles take on similar approaches; however, one article examines how less-competent mothers with depression, negatively influences child behavior and the latter takes on the approach that maternal depression is a psychological response to economic pressures leading to negative responses to a child (Newland, Crnic, Cox & Mills-Koonce, 2013, p. 96). Wang and Dix (2013) examine the levels of depression and differences of behavior in depressed mothers and how this further influences a child’s development. This article found that children with depressed mothers that are highly competent and are able to do tasks efficiently and successfully may develop just as well as children with non-depressed mothers (Wang and Dix., 2013, p. 893). Alternatively, another article examines a variety of maternal psychological symptoms arising from early economic pressures and later parenting behaviors (Newland et al., 2013, p. 96). Furthermore, Newland et al. (2013) suggests that as a result of lower socioeconomic status, both depression and anxiety play a negative role in parenting behaviors (p. 96). Overall, this study suggests that economic hardships and pressures have an indirect influence on parents’ caregiving.
... Child Maltreatment: A Comparison of Communities With and Without Child Advocacy Centers. Tuscaloosa, AL. Retrieved from Website: http://www.nationalcac.org/professionals/images/stories/pdfs/cba-finalreport.pdf
Each year this number increases and the federal government speculates that because of inaccuracies in reporting from hospitals and coroners, the real number is likely twice that amount.” Child social work (2015). Child abuse is a viral problem. Survivors of child abuse are more likely to abuse their children, and these children are likely to abuse their future children. The incidence of child abuse triples in low-socioeconomic homes, leading child social workers to feel it is associated with the stress of poverty. Prevention is currently the best solution for child abuse, but an abusive situation is often difficult to spot. Certainly physical abuse is easily recognized by physical markings or damage, such as bruises or burns. Sexual and emotional abuse are more difficult to identify because the child is often too afraid or too young to speak about
Poverty itself is a controversial and widely debated issue with a variety of opposing viewpoints. Despite differences in opinions on how poverty should be treated, the vast majority agrees that poverty is a problem plagues the nation on both economic and social levels. Economically, poverty affects everyone. As taxes are paid by the entire nation, poverty influences where our money goes and how it is spent. Socially, poverty affects families and individuals on an emotional level. Impoverishment affects happiness and health, the decisions people make, and most importantly the development of children. To best understand poverty, one must look at the issue economically and socially, and contextualize the numbers surrounding poverty as well as
Did you know that in 2011, nearly five children died every day in America from child abuse and neglect? In this research paper I will discuss what is child abuse and neglect. Then, we will discover why some parents choose to abuse their children. Next, I will dive into a discussion about the long term effects of child abuse. Finally, we will explore what age groups are affected by abuse.
Child abuse is one of the most serious issues in the United States today. Child abuse is the physical, emotional/ psychological or sexual maltreatment of a minor. Neglecting a child is another type of abuse, and includes malnutrition, abandonment, and/or inadequate care of a child’s safety. Additionally, any neglectful act can lead to physical or emotional harm and in some cases death of a child. Unfortunately, young children are the most vulnerable population to child abuse. Statistics indicate that victims in their first year of life had the highest rate of victimization at 21.9 per 1,000 children of the same age in the national population (United State Children’s Bureau, 2013). Additionally, the victimization was highest for children younger than one year 21.9 at per 1,000 children in the population of the same age (United State Children’s Bureau, 2013). Although, the rate of substantiated child abuse and neglect for children ages 13 months through three years old has slightly decreased from 2008 to 2012, the rate of victimization of children younger than age three continues to be of concern (United State Children’s Bureau, 2013). Moreover, 78.3 percent of victims were neglected, 18.3 percent were physically abused, and 9.3 percent were sexually abused (United State Children’s Bureau, 2013). Furthermore, evidence suggests that the main type of abuse that young children experience is neglect. Child abuse has always existed in society and is a major problem in this country that cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, child brutality brings a variety of consequences in a child’s life and affects every...
“Each year, Child Protective Services receives reports of child abuse and neglect involving six million children, and many go unreported” (New Directions). The article New Directions in Child Abuse and Neglect Research, explores the need for research of the long-term affects of child abuse and neglect, not only on the victims, but also on their families, future relationships, and other people out in the community. Current research has brought to life the long-term developmental and biological challenges that abuse victims deal with long after an event occurs. A problem that current researchers face when striving to learn more about the long-term affects of child abuse is a lack of funds. Money drives a lot of things in this world, and research is one of those things. The current funds for this type of research has been spread very thin over numerous organizations that deal with child abuse. In this article, New Directions in Child Abuse and Neglect Research, new ideas for spreading these funds have been talked about and plans have been devised.
When thinking about statistics on child abuse, it’s very helpful to know that the idea of “child abuse” is very controversial. Recently, in particular homes and cultures, child abuse has come to be seen as a major social problem and a main cause of many people’s suffering and personal problems. Some believe that we are beginning to face the true prevalence and significance of child abuse. There is more to child abuse than just the physical scars; children are affected socially, mentally, and emotionally. According to the American National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, in 1997, neglect represented 54% of confirmed cases of child abuse, physical abuse 22%, sexual abuse 8%, emotional maltreatment 4%, and other forms of maltreatment 12%.
Poverty is a social issue that has be a problem for humanity since the beginning of time. Poverty has been a consistent and ongoing problem throughout history all over the world (Rasheed, 2013). No matter what the society is like or the median salary inside that society there have always been people who are homeless and starving (Rasheed, 2013). Despite the United States being a modern, developed country we still struggle with poverty and unemployment (Rasheed, 2013). Every day there are people struggling to find food, clothing and shelter. This problem in society has various effects on different government institutions (Rasheed, 2013). The federal government measures poverty by the numbers (Rasheed, 2013). “In 2007, the federal “poverty line” was set at $16,530 for a family of three and $21,203 for a family of four (USCB) (Rasheed, 2013).” If a family makes less money a year than they can live on they are officially classified as poor (Rasheed, 2013). “According to the Census Bureau, about 12.3 percent of all Americans were living in poverty in 2006 (Rasheed, 2013).” That means there are 36 million people at or below poverty level in the United States (Rasheed, 2013).
Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children. There can be no single factor identified as the cause of child abuse. However it appears to be influenced by the parents' histories, psychological resources, and economic status.
Family plays a major role in a child’s life and his or hers social and emotional development. When abuse and neglect take a toll on a child’s life at such a young age, it can affect them physically and emotionally. When a child is maltreated, it affects their education, behavior, relationships, etc. and most likely follows them throughout life. According to the article “Effects of Chronic Maltreatment and maltreatment timing on children’s behavior and cognitive abilities,” over 900,000 children in the United States alone were victims of abuse and neglect in 2006(184). There are many factors that may alter the outcomes of a child who is or was abused, for example, the age the abuse and neglect began, how long it went on for, or if it was physical or emotional abuse.
Child abuse is a rising problem that is tormenting children today. More than 903, 000 children are confirmed as victims of abuse or neglect each year in the U.S. (NCCCANI, 2003). Child abuse is known as any avoidable and non-accidental act that causes physical injury to a child and is inflicted by someone who is responsible for that child’s well-being. Child abuse and neglect is one of the fastest occurring social problem in our society
Children of neglect or abuse is on the rise, according to NCANDS, about nine of out every thousand child...
Child abuse encompasses far more than merely beating or hitting a child. Other, more silent—and even more widespread—forms of abuse exist. Emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and child endangerment are all other forms of abuse that are much more difficult to detect because they seldom lead to visible imprints on a child the way physical abuse can. And the problem is far more pervasive than one might imaging: the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that about five children die as a result of abuse every day. The impact child abuse can have on victims is both extensive and profound. Effects can vary from health issues to developmental and emotional impairments. With heightened awareness of the nature, the implications, and
“Abuse is 14 times more common in poor families. Neglect is 44 times more common in poor families” (Grapes). If single mothers work, child abuse is considerably more likely because the working mothers may put their children in the hands of abusive caretakers. In most cases however, it is not the caretaker that neglects the child (Geredes 98). More likely it is that the child’s own parents do the abusing. “Often children are abused by people in the home, who are trusted by the child” (Moylan). Sometimes we think that once the child is taken away from his/her abusive parents they are out of harms way. Instead, foster care children are even twice as more likely to be assaulted than children living with their natural