The Impact of Adversity
This paper will investigate the effects of childhood adversity. It will define neglect, abuse and household dysfunction, as well as discuss the numbers of children affected by each of these adversities. This paper will explore the reasons that parents neglect and abuse their children. It will compare normal brain development to brain development of children who experience childhood adversity. It will discuss both the long term and short term effects of childhood adversity, both on the child and the society in which the child lives in. Finally, the paper will examine the possibilities of reversal and mitigation of the effects of childhood adversity.
Childhood adversity is broken into three main categories; neglect, abuse and household dysfunction. Abuse can also be broken into three main types; sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional …show more content…
Physical abuse is usually defined as “any nonaccidental physical injury to the child (Children’s Bureau).” Physical abuse can include many things such as burning, striking, kicking, hitting, biting, or any action that results in physical harm to the child (Children’s Bureau). Some states also include human trafficking in their definition of child abuse (Children’s Bureau). Sexual abuse is considered abuse in every state and generally includes sexual conduct with a minor, molestation of a child, sexual assault, forcing or allowing a child to participate in prostitution, sexual exploitation of a child and incest (Children’s Bureau). Emotional abuse is the most difficult to prove as there is no physical evidence. Many states define emotional abuse as “injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child as evidenced by an obstacle or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition (Children’s Bureau).” Neglect is defined as failure to basic needs, leaving the child uncared for or unloved (UNICEF). This includes the failure to provide
This paper will investigate the effects of childhood adversity. It will define neglect, abuse and household dysfunction, as well as discuss the numbers of children affected by each of these adversities. This paper will explore the reasons that parents neglect and abuse their children. It will compare normal brain development to brain development of children who experience childhood adversity. It will discuss both the long term and short term effects of childhood adversity, both on the child and the society in which the child lives in. Finally, the paper will examine the possibilities of reversal and mitigation of the effects of childhood adversity.
Childhood adversity is broken into three main categories; neglect, abuse and household dysfunction. Abuse can also be broken into three main types; sexual abuse, physical abuse and emotional …show more content…
Physical abuse is usually defined as “any nonaccidental physical injury to the child (Children’s Bureau).” Physical abuse can include many things such as burning, striking, kicking, hitting, biting, or any action that results in physical harm to the child (Children’s Bureau). Some states also include human trafficking in their definition of child abuse (Children’s Bureau). Sexual abuse is considered abuse in every state and generally includes sexual conduct with a minor, molestation of a child, sexual assault, forcing or allowing a child to participate in prostitution, sexual exploitation of a child and incest (Children’s Bureau). Emotional abuse is the most difficult to prove as there is no physical evidence. Many states define emotional abuse as “injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child as evidenced by an obstacle or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition (Children’s Bureau).” Neglect is defined as failure to basic needs, leaving the child uncared for or unloved (UNICEF). This includes the failure to provide