Running head: CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT 1

Child Abuse/Neglect

An Assignment Submitted by
Name of Student
Name of Establishment
Class XXXX, Section XXXX, Fall 2011













CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT 2

Child Abuse/Neglect
The distressing phenomenon of child abuse has been discussed by many scientists
all over the work. Each day many children are at risk of being abused. There are also
many factors that cause child abuse, such as unstable family structure or psychological
dysfunction of offender. Because many children are losing their lives every day from
being abused; prevention of abuse is the only way to stop innocent children from even
more damage.
To start with, the problem of child abuse is extremely serious. Children have
always been true victims of society, because of their vulnerability and defenceless nature.
It is also necessary to define child abuse. According to Diner (2007) child abuse is non-
accidental damage produced in a child by an older, stronger or authoritative person, either
known or a stranger to the child. Therefore, an offender is usually someone, who is
emotionally and physically stronger then the child. Nowadays, there are many situations
of child abuse, which became evident. The magnitude of these problems can be seen in
the number of cases that reach the hospital and the calls to help centres (Diner, 2007).
That is why this problem should be carefully examined.
The child abuse is usually intentional, when offender is aware of the damage he is
causing to the child. For example, masculine authoritarianism is one of the most common
cultural aspects, which contribute to child abuse. Masculine authoritarianism is of
cultural, economic and biological order and originates with the physical and cultural
supremacy of the man over the women and children (Diner, 2007).
Therefore, in order to provide recommendations to solving the problem of child
abuse it is necessary to briefly discuss some reasons, which can contribute to this issue.
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First of all, child can be abused due to the lack of care or neglect in the family. Neglect is
frequently defined as the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility of
supervision to the degree that the childs health, safety, and well-being are threatened
with harm (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2011).
In fact, parents should always basic needs for their child, such as food, clothing or
safety. For example, a situation when parents fail to provide necessary medical treatment,
which is causing their infant to be in a life-threatening condition, can also be defined as
child abuse. Abandonment is the highest degree of negligence, especially as regards the
physical, such as malnutrition (Diner, 2007).
Family is a main social circle where the child is being developed as a personality.
That is why child abuse in the family should not be ignored by the society. Abuse is also
common in those families that live in overcrowded conditions because of socio-economic
reasons (Diner, 2007). Of course, it is not easy to control such families, because the
institute of family is quite close. Nevertheless, parents should always be responsible for
the well-being of their children. In addition, in order for the child to achieve adequate
development in its life, parents must feel that, besides being a part of them, the child is at
the same time someone unique and different (Diner, 2007).
One of the possible solutions to the child abuse in the family can be complete
control of the child by the social institutions. Especially families who already have a
history of child abuse should be regularly checked and visited by social workers. In fact,
prevention should include punishment, which aim to deter both initial offending and to
persuade those caught breaking the rules not to repeat these offences (Waterhouse, 1996).
That is why it is not only necessary to visit families, but to provide effective trainings and
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seminars, which can help parents and children establish trustworthy relations between
each other.
Secondly, it is necessary to develop a proper system of punishment and treatment
for potential child abusers. Child abusers are usually persons going through crisis due to
economic or emotional reasons, which can be observed in cases where there is
predisposition, as in the case of social isolations, with no sources of external support, can
be potential abusers (Diner, 2007). There is also an interesting paradox, because the child
which was being abused can later become antisocial and become an offender himself. In
addition, abusers can be very sick individuals, whose personality is affected in all its
areas, but they can also be individuals leading an apparently normal life (Diner, 2007).
That is why it is not easy to define potential abusers.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to establish a system, which can help to prevent
potential offenders from abusing children. Many scientists believe that the state should
intervene to assist people disadvantaged by the social system and conceive of this
intervention and being applied to individuals and families (Waterhouse, 1996). In fact, it
is not easy for the state to fund programs, which can prevent child abuse.
The problem is that, these social strategies can be implemented without
significant funding. For instance, it is possible to organize different projects, conducted
by volunteers for education of adults. They can include all forms of training for
parenthood, antenatal classes and programmes concerned with relationships, conflict and
violence (Waterhouse, 1996). For instance, volunteers can conduct group trainings, while
different people, who experienced abuse, can hold free lectures and talk about their
experience.
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Moreover, it is not always easy to know the exact number of child abuse victims.
The main reason is that in many cases abuses are not reported and those which come to
light are the most serious cases of psychical and sexual abuse (Diner, 2007). That is why
childhood self-protection should be one of the most important themes in educational
establishments.
By knowing these simple rules child can avoid the risk of being abused. Family
interaction is one of the most important moments. In fact, child should always be honest
with their parents about any abusive behaviour it experienced. In addition, in cases when
abuser is a member of the family child should be ready to inform about such situation to
special establishments. That is why schools should always provide all necessary
information about self-protection.
All in all, although child abuse is very distressing phenomenon it can still be
prevented. First of all, problem should be carefully examined. Child abuse is usually
intentional and child can often be abused due to the lack of care or neglect in the family.
That is why family should not be ignored by the society. One of the possible solutions to
the child abuse in the family can be complete control of the child.
For instance, social institutions can regularly control the families with the history
of abusive behaviour by social workers. It is also possible to organize different projects,
conducted by volunteers for education of adults. In addition, childhood self-protection
should be one of the most important themes in educational establishments. Therefore,
although child abuse is a complex phenomenon, it can be also be successfully resolved.



CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT 6

References


Diner M., (2007). Child Abuse: Prevention and Detection Guide. Florida:
PDAXpert
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2011). Definitions of Child Abuse and
Neglect. Retrieved from
https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/define.pdf
Waterhouse L., (1996). Child Abuse & Child Abusers: Protection & Prevention.
London: University of Aberdeen Press