Child Abuse

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Child Abuse

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Child Abuse

Child abuse consists of any act or failure to act that endangers a child's physical or emotional health and development. A person caring for a child is abusive if he or she fails to nurture the child, physically injures the child, or relates sexually to the child (Robins). Child abuse is broken down into four major categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Aside from the abuse itself, the cost of the tragic events costs the United States billions of dollars each year. Every day, approximately 4 children in the United States die resulting from child abuse and the majority are under 5-years-old (Fromm). There are many organizations that promote preventative measures in reducing child abuse. If nothing is done, child abuse will continue to rise with many consequences in the future.

Child abuse falls into four main classifications: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Physical abuse is defined as any non-accidental physical injury to a child (Robins). This can result from beating, whipping, paddling, punching, pushing, shaking, burning with cigarettes, scalding with hot water, or other hot objects. Unfortunately, sexual abuse is

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rising today. This is any sexual act between an adult and a child, which includes: fondling, touching, or kissing genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, penetration, or oral sex, exposing child to adult sexuality, and child pornography (Robins). Emotional abuse is the most common abuse due to how easily it can be hidden. Emotional abuse is any attitude, behavior, or failure to act on the part of the caregiver that interferes with a child's mental health or social development (Robins). Many parents who continually yell or scream at his or her child in a way of threatening or showing no signs of affection turn to this so it will not be picked up on as quick as physical abuse. Unfortunately, this type can be the most harmful because it can cause serious emotional and mental problems later on in life. Lastly, neglect is a form of abuse and is defined as the failure to provide a child with basic needs (Robins). This is seen when parents fail to provide children with food, shelter and clothing. Also, caregivers who leave children unattended, fail to provide education, and fail to give children psychological needs are all types of emotional abuse.

It is estimated that child abuse costs $118 billion each year (Fromm). The costs are broken up into two categories: direct and indirect. The total mentioned above estimates the direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are associated with the immediate needs of abused or neglected children. Examples are, hospitalization, chronic health problems, child welfare system, law enforcement, and the judicial system. Indirect costs are those costs

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associated with the long-term and/or secondary effects of child abuse and neglect (Fromm). Examples are, special education, mental health and health care, juvenile delinquency, lost productivity to society, and adult criminality. Those children who are abused as a child tend to become more susceptible to a wide range of medical, emotional, psychological and behavioral disorders (Fromm).

In 2000, an estimated 1,356 children died due to child abuse and neglect, which is nearly 4 children every day (Fromm). Approximately 4 out of every 5 are under 5-years-old and children under 1 account for 2 out of 5 of all fatalities. Children under 5 are more likely to die from child abuse due to lack of ability to cope with abuse. Children's bodies are more fragile and it is easier for an individual to physically harm a small child rather than older children who can somewhat fight back.

A tragic result from child abuse can be a long-term condition that needs 24-hour care. Children who are victims of shaken baby syndrome need one on one care and lack basic knowledge to care for themselves. Those children who were emotionally abused tend to be at higher risk of mental disorders and depression. Sometimes this can lead to long-term medications and housing. If a child was brought up in a setting where alcohol and drugs were abused, they are also at a high risk of abusing themselves along with criminality and juvenile delinquency. Unfortunately, child abusers do not think about problems such