Brief Historical Perspective of Child Abuse
Child abuse and neglect is a historical subject that goes back to the roots of human history. Mistreatment of children was common in the earlier centuries as corporal punishment was condoned and in some cases encouraged. Children were exposed to cruel treatment and were offered no protection from mistreatment; they were considered insignificant and had little or no rights. Historically, parents have used their children for profit. In England and the Americas, during industrialization, children were placed in apprenticeships, workhouses, orphanages, placement mills, factories, farms, and mines (History of Child Abuse, 2014). The foster care system began in the 1800s as a form of indentured servitude. …show more content…
Some children were treated with love and respect while others were abused and treated as slaves.
The first case of child abuse occurred in 1874 when ten-year-old Mary Ellen Wilson who was maltreated by her adopted mother was found and rescued by a church worker named Etta Agnell Wheeler. Mary Ellen Wilson was found dressed in shabby clothing, appeared soiled and frail, with bruises and scars along her face, arms and legs. On April 10, 1874 Mary Ellen testified: “Mamma has been in the habit of whipping and beating me almost every day. She used to whip me with a twisted whip—a raw hide. The whip always left a black and blue mark on my body. I have now the black and blue marks on my head which were made by mamma, and also a cut on the left side of my forehead which was made by a pair of scissors……….” (Mary Ellen Wilson, 2012). The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal founded by Henry Bergh was established eight years before the New York Society for Prevention Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC). Etta Wheeler argued and advocate for the protection of children who were also as important as animals. The first Society for the …show more content…
What should also be taken into consideration is whether child abuse is being reported of parents from high socioeconomic status as wealthier families have access to resources that can decrease the risk of child abuse being exposed in their families. Hence, there is not enough data reported that would help to identify potential child abusers from higher socioeconomic
Child abuse and neglect is a historical subject that goes back to the roots of human history. Mistreatment of children was common in the earlier centuries as corporal punishment was condoned and in some cases encouraged. Children were exposed to cruel treatment and were offered no protection from mistreatment; they were considered insignificant and had little or no rights. Historically, parents have used their children for profit. In England and the Americas, during industrialization, children were placed in apprenticeships, workhouses, orphanages, placement mills, factories, farms, and mines (History of Child Abuse, 2014). The foster care system began in the 1800s as a form of indentured servitude. …show more content…
Some children were treated with love and respect while others were abused and treated as slaves.
The first case of child abuse occurred in 1874 when ten-year-old Mary Ellen Wilson who was maltreated by her adopted mother was found and rescued by a church worker named Etta Agnell Wheeler. Mary Ellen Wilson was found dressed in shabby clothing, appeared soiled and frail, with bruises and scars along her face, arms and legs. On April 10, 1874 Mary Ellen testified: “Mamma has been in the habit of whipping and beating me almost every day. She used to whip me with a twisted whip—a raw hide. The whip always left a black and blue mark on my body. I have now the black and blue marks on my head which were made by mamma, and also a cut on the left side of my forehead which was made by a pair of scissors……….” (Mary Ellen Wilson, 2012). The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal founded by Henry Bergh was established eight years before the New York Society for Prevention Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC). Etta Wheeler argued and advocate for the protection of children who were also as important as animals. The first Society for the …show more content…
What should also be taken into consideration is whether child abuse is being reported of parents from high socioeconomic status as wealthier families have access to resources that can decrease the risk of child abuse being exposed in their families. Hence, there is not enough data reported that would help to identify potential child abusers from higher socioeconomic