Verbal Abuse Research Paper

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VERBAL ABUSE, DON’T SAY IT
Shakeitreanna Thomas
ENG122: English Composition II
Instructor Mary Leoson
January 19, 2017 Verbal Abuse, Don’t Say It
“Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you!” If this is true, then how can children be negatively impacted by the effects of verbal abuse? Verbal abuse can be in the form of name-calling, belittling, rejection, using sarcasm, or berating a spouse (Vardigan, n.d., para. 2). Verbal abuse of children leads to discipline problems, lowered self-esteems, and withdrawal tendencies.
Researching verbal abuse and the development of children, I have determined that one effect of verbal abuse on children is that they have lowered self-esteems. Self-esteem is described as “an attitude towards oneself, especially towards one’s capabilities” (Mackowicz, 2013, p. 474). In general, verbal abuse “attacks a child's... sense of self-worth” (Vardigan, n.d, para. 4). Verbal …show more content…

The first sign that a child is beginning to withdraw is that the child has difficulty making friends or communicating with any current friends (Vardigan, n.d., para.4). Children begin to believe that the negative words said about them are true, and they have trouble accepting any positive comments made towards them. Children then become “hollow” (Khan & Khan, 2014, p. 111) and sink into depression. The effects of verbal abuse are so severe that children who withdraw speak fewer sentences, fewer words, lose sight of imagination, as well as curiosity (Khan & Khan, 2014, p. 111). Children who withdraw aren’t the same as compared to before the verbal abuse started. Verbally abused children don’t feel the need to go to band practice, sit at the dinner table, or go to the mall with friends. Helping a child cope with verbal abuse and assist them in participating in their daily routines will help to heal the emotional scars of the abuse (Juntunen,

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