Unfortunately, not every child grows up in the most loving and supportive of families. Child abuse and neglect is a serious issue in the United States, …show more content…
In 2012, neglect was the most prevalent form a child abuse, with 78.3% of the cases, followed by physical abuse with 18.3% and sexual abuse with 9.3% (Margaret’s PowerPoint). Physical Abuse. Physical abuse happens when a parent, guardian, sibling or other abuser, physically harms the child by hitting, biting, burning, using weapons, striking with an object or kicking (asca.org). Physical abuse often results in bruises, cuts, gashes, scars, broken bones or burns. Emotional Abuse. Emotional abuse is when the child is verbally put down, intimidated, manipulated or blackmailed. Emotionally abusive parents are described as aggressive towards their children and dominating …show more content…
This happens when a child is not spoken to often, which impacts their language learning. This can also happen if, as in Genie’s case, the child is often confined to one area and not allowed to move, as this affects the way that they grow physically. There were many physical affects Genie’s abuse and neglect caused. Because Genie was confined to a chair for most of her life, she was severely underdeveloped in height and bone structure. She was 4’6” and weighed 59 pounds when she was found; the average weight and height for a 13 year old female is about 5 feet and 100 pounds (Garman, 1994). Doctors determined Genie’s bone age to be that of an 11 year