Child Abuse

Child Abuse

According to the film, Violence: An American Concept, there are two ways of thinking about violence: in terms of an act of force, or in terms of a violation. Child abuse is not a new social problem, nor is it a haphazard or deviant activity. It is considered an unfortunate part of our culture. However, while domestic violence is now politically recognized as one of the most entrenched and pervasive forms of violence in our society today, child abuse issues have yet to receive the same degree of attention. Not surprisingly, these issues have essentially been regarded as a private matter. This, together with the fact that the family has traditionally been regarded as a source of love and support, has led to an element of denial at both a community and individual level. However, the family, as the most important institution within our society, is extremely complex. It is both an agency of social control and an agency of social support, and that its internal dynamics can have both positive and negative effects on relationships.

Research has shown that there are several aspects of an abusive childhood that remain with the child for the rest their life. The impact of child abuse alone, whether physical, sexual or emotional, can over time result in disruptions of mood, including depression and anxiety, and in antisocial traits such as aggression, criminal behavior and impulse control (Cummings et al. 1981).

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In addition, socialization plays a key role in the developmental process. Especially in childhood, it involves the learning, mentoring, sharing and mutual affirmation that takes place when children interact with parents, other family members, and friends. It is a fragile process, the outcome of which is vulnerable to derailment by abusive treatment or serious lapses in care. Resilient children can compensate for harsh influences to varying degrees, depending on temperament, intelligence, and sheer luck. Take for example, Eleanor Roosevelt. She was raised in a world of privilege and constrained by societal rules. She was not encouraged to express her true self or to carve out a career. Despite personal tragedies, she did both. Some children are not as resilient or the circumstances they face deprive them of anything resembling normal socialization (Jaffe et al. 1990).

A broad summary of the effects on children of either witnessing and/or being victims of domestic violence is as follows. Infants are reactive to their environment; when distressed they cry, refuse to feed or withdraw and are particularly susceptible to emotional deprivation. They are extremely vulnerable. Toddlers, who are beginning to develop basic attempts to relate causes to emotional expressions, can often be seen to have behavioral problems such as frequent illness, severe shyness, low self- esteem and trouble in daycare as well as social problems such as hitting, biting or being argumentative. Gender differences can emerge at this stage. By preschool age, children believe that everything revolves around them and is caused by them. If they witness violence or abuse, they believe they have caused