Child Abuse and Our Society It seems so hard to stop child abuse because everyone has a different idea on what “abuse” is. According to the dictionary, abuse is to treat (a person or animal) with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly. Some might argue that hitting a child on the bottom with a belt is okay if they are disciplined for their wrong-doing. Others argue that spanking a child is abuse and there are other ways to discipline. So, where do you draw a line between discipline and abuse? If you spank a child on the bottom several times over layers of diaper and clothing, are you abusing them? Probably not. They may not like it, but it isn’t abuse. If you roughly spank a child and leave a bruise, you are affecting their
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If we believe that some abusers love the children they abuse, how do we understand their actions? There are a million factors that can cause child abuse. A few of the biggest factors are: drug addiction, poverty, and family history of abuse. Drugs have one of the biggest impacts on our society, and they are the leading cause of child abuse (Harris 85). Addiction to any type of drug will make a parent less responsible or more violent toward their children. As drugs become more and more of problem in the U.S., it is being brought into the lives of young children who will carry it on with their generation (Harris …show more content…
Children who have been abused can be treated but first the situation must be addressed and reported (Nadelson 71). 2.9 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the United States (dosomething.org). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Public Services, more than half of cases are reported by teachers, law enforcement, child care providers, social workers, health professionals, and court officials. The first part of preventing child abuse is to see it from both sides: identifying and counseling the abuser, and protecting the child. Another useful prevention is teaching children to protect themselves. In order to teach children, there needs to be more programs that focus on family situation that lead to abuse. Sociologist Robert L. Burgess says that there needs to be more prenatal support for parents so they can encourage bonding, educating on what to expect at certain ages, and teaching the right ways to discipline (Check 80). Although very difficult, it is possible to prevent child abuse by intervening before abuse occurs. If there is stress in the family, violence between other family members, drugs, or poverty, social service agencies can recognize, and intervene before abuse happens. Unfortunately, social workers are swamped trying to deal with the cases that already exist. There has been a lack of workers, facilities, and
If we believe that some abusers love the children they abuse, how do we understand their actions? There are a million factors that can cause child abuse. A few of the biggest factors are: drug addiction, poverty, and family history of abuse. Drugs have one of the biggest impacts on our society, and they are the leading cause of child abuse (Harris 85). Addiction to any type of drug will make a parent less responsible or more violent toward their children. As drugs become more and more of problem in the U.S., it is being brought into the lives of young children who will carry it on with their generation (Harris …show more content…
Children who have been abused can be treated but first the situation must be addressed and reported (Nadelson 71). 2.9 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the United States (dosomething.org). According to the U.S. Department of Health and Public Services, more than half of cases are reported by teachers, law enforcement, child care providers, social workers, health professionals, and court officials. The first part of preventing child abuse is to see it from both sides: identifying and counseling the abuser, and protecting the child. Another useful prevention is teaching children to protect themselves. In order to teach children, there needs to be more programs that focus on family situation that lead to abuse. Sociologist Robert L. Burgess says that there needs to be more prenatal support for parents so they can encourage bonding, educating on what to expect at certain ages, and teaching the right ways to discipline (Check 80). Although very difficult, it is possible to prevent child abuse by intervening before abuse occurs. If there is stress in the family, violence between other family members, drugs, or poverty, social service agencies can recognize, and intervene before abuse happens. Unfortunately, social workers are swamped trying to deal with the cases that already exist. There has been a lack of workers, facilities, and