Theories Relating to Child Abuse

Theories Relating to Child Abuse
Child abuse relates to the behavioral or learning theory because “it sees human behavior as almost entirely determined through learning that takes place as a result of reinforcement of our behaviors by others or as a result of our observation of behaviors modeled by others” (Schriver, 2011). “Theories are necessary to explain and to contain the complexities of our lives” (Newberger, 1983). Based upon this theory, child abuse is a reflection of what is normalized in the household. Neglect and abuse in a home becomes a learned behavior and could take enormous amounts of therapy to correct these behaviors from continuing from generation to generation. This also connects with the theory of traditional family development. This theory deals with “structural functional, psychoanalytic, social learning, social exchange and human development theories” (Schriver, 2011), which describes the family structure and behaviors in the home are projected during socialization. The behaviors that are acceptable in the household become a normal and are projected onto others. “Another of the consistent explanations proffered for child maltreatment is that individuals who have experienced violent and abusive childhoods are more likely to grow up to become child and spouse abusers than individuals who experienced little or no violence in their childhood years. Social learning theory suggests that child abuse is learned behavior. Violence in one's family of orientation is seen as predictive of violence in one's family of procreation” (Parke and Collmer, 1975). Continued abuse throughout generation is evidence based that abuse is learned and carried on if treatment is not sought or given through mandated orders.

Treatmen...

... middle of paper ...

...

References

Childrens Bureau, U. S. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (2013). Child maltreatment 2012. Retrieved from y Walter R. McDonald & Associates, Inc. website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-maltreatment.

Newberger, E. H. (1983). Child abuse: The current theory base and future research needs. Retrieved from http://www.elinewberger.com/articles/archive/childabuse-research/currenttheory.html. 02 Feb. 2014.

Parke, R. D. & Collmer, C. W. (1975), Child abuse: an interdisciplinary analysis. In:Review of Child Development Research, Vol. V, ed. E. M. Hetherington. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, pp. 509-590

Schriver, J. (2011). Paradigm thinking and social work knowledge for practive. (5th ed., p. 112). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, INC., publishing as Allyn & Bacon. 05 Feb. 2014.