Abstract The paper explores the role of the child protection agencies in protecting our children and questions whether state laws are helping or hindering the process. The paper explains the types of abuse and presents research data that demonstrates the increase in child abuse every year. The paper also reviews the history of child abuse and discusses the challenges that are faced today by the child protection system and what can be done to improve the child protective services (CPS).
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
What is Child Abuse and Neglect?
History of Child Abuse
Types of Abuse
What Factors Contribute to Child Abuse?
Understanding the Impact of Historic Policies on Child Maltreatment
Child Abuse and Neglect Laws and State Statutes
The Role of Child Protective Services
The Consequences of Child Abuse
Social Intervention Strategies
Conclusion
Recommendations for Policy Changes
From the Paper "According to Tzeng et al (1991) children throughout history have been the victims of child abuse. There have even been some archeological findings that have suggested that child abuse existed as far back as prehistoric times. In many societies corporal punishment was seen as the norm and was used to discipline children. Child abuse has also been used to educate children as it pertains to cultural and religious ideas and morals. The corporal punishment or abuse of children was also utilized to please gods or expel unwanted spirits.
"The author points out that in the rituals of ancient Greeks and Romans children were sacrificially killed. In addition in some civilizations fathers, in accordance with the Patria Protestas of 700 B.C., could legally trade, maim, or kill their children if the so desired. Children were also killed in Ancient Greek Societies when they were found to be deformed or retarded because it was believed that such children would weaken the society. This was allowed because children were believed to be property."
Abstract A six part paper on the issue of child abuse. The paper defines and offers a history of child abuse. It then evaluates why child abuse exists according to control theory and anomy theory and how socialization agents such as educational/school systems, family, mass media, and peer groups may intervene to eliminate or reduce the occurrence of child abuse is outlined. Finally it reviews the consequences for society/social institutions and future generations if child abuse is not eliminated or reduced.
From the Paper "Utilizing the principles of anomie theory in relation to child abuse, it could be argued that individuals who have become alienated, apathetic, and personal distress as a result of experiencing an emotional and/or financial loss due to the loss of a family member, job, or lover may be more likely to abuse their child. For example, an individual may be laid off from his or her job, become depressed and/or extremely alienated or apathetic, and then turn to alcohol and/or drugs for comfort. Given the alcohol and/or drugs tend to be a depressant, an individual may become overly sensitive and unable to control his or her emotions, which may lead that individual to abuse his or her child as a result of losing his or her perceived function, goals, position, purpose, or status in life."
Abstract Describes the current state and extent of child mining in Tanzania. Elaborates on the prepathogenesis of child labor in Tanzania. Discusses primary prevention involving mobile health clinics for child laborers, i.e. vaccinations, primary care, hearing and vision protection, and informal public health classes on water & sanitation, STD/HIV/AIDS, and child rights.
Outline:
Scope of the Problem: Child Workers and Small-Scale Mining in Tanzania
Pre-Pathogenesis
Primary Prevention
From the Paper "An estimated one million children work in small-scale mining and quarrying throughout the world. These children carry heavy loads, inhale dust and other particles, work in small spaces underground with no ventilation, and stand for long periods of time knee- or hip deep in water. They work long hours, on average ten to fourteen hours per day. They are paid low wages, sometimes none at all if they work with their families as a unit. According to the International Labor Organization, mining/quarrying activities is classified as one of the worst forms of child labor (Ofosu, 2001). The extent to which the involvement of children in mining/quarrying negatively impacts their short- and long-term health outcomes categorizes this phenomenon as a major public health problem."
Abstract This paper examines how the author, a specialist in child care and a teacher of special need children, addresses the sensitive issue of a child abuse victim being accused of a horrible crime to another child. This paper discusses the sensitive issues of the book and how it can be used as a guide for both a teacher and a parent when addressing children with special needs.
From the Paper "The book One Child by Torey L. Hayden details the psychological and physical rehabilitation of a young girl named Sheila who had committed a horrific crime against another child. Sheila however, was herself the victim of a crime. Sheila was abandoned by her mother on a highway. The author of this nonfiction, first-person account named Torey Hayden, the girl's teacher, had to deal with both the young girl's loss of her mother, which motivated the girl to commit such an action. Hayden also had to deal with losses the girl experienced because of the unconscionable living environment she finds herself in. This book is instructive for a student of nursing as well as a student of teaching because it illustrates how loss is not always a concrete event, especially in the life of a child. Rather, loss becomes part of the development of the child's personality unless intervention and proper counseling occur."
Abstract This paper looks at the California law regarding child abuse, child abuse statistics, the foster care system, returning children to abusive homes, alternatives, removing children permanently form the home, and the effects in later life of abuse in childhood. The paper also makes a recommendation of how abused children should be treated.
From the Paper "Under California law, child abuse or neglect includes physical injury inflicted by other than accidental means upon a child by another person, sexual abuse, neglect, wilful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment, unlawful corporal punishment or injury and is against the law. Neglect means the negligent treatment or the mistreatment of a child by a person responsible for the child's welfare, severe neglect means the negligent failure of a person having the care of custody of a child ,to protect the child from severe malnutrition or medically diagnosed..."
Abstract In this essay, the writer discusses a research proposal to determine whether the use of a certain kind of anti-child abuse training in high school - using a form of "Think It Over" dolls - can effectively reduce the incidence of child abuse. This study is thus necessarily a longitudinal one and may (because of the complexity of the issue of child abuse) be less conclusive than one might like. However, the writer claims that an intervention strategy that reduces child abuse even to a small degree would be worth considering given the stakes involved.
From the Paper "We all know that child abuse is a terrible thing. We also know as a society many of the conditions that make parents and other adults more likely to abuse children. And yet despite our collective revulsion at child abuse and despite the fact that we are aware of the contributing conditions to child abuse, the rates at which children are neglected or abused continue at horrifyingly high levels. Federal and state statistics indicate that child abuse and neglect collectively are either the primary or a secondary cause of ... "
Abstract The writer of this article defines and discusses the issues and statistics surrounding the issue of child abuse and neglect. In this paper, a definition of child abuse is provided. The writer also discusses the short and long term effects of child abuse.
From the Paper "Child abuse is currently in the news seemingly more now than ever, however it is a problem that has been around throughout the ages. Child abuse is usually self-perpetuating and unlikely to stop unless the causes of the abuse are recognized and a concerted effort made by the community to prevent the cycle of abuse to continue. The social problem of child maltreatment has come to be predominantly defined as physical child abuse. The best definition of child abuse is a general ... "
Tags:child abuse, child neglect, causes of abuse and neglect
Abstract Child abuse is a serious social problem that has become increasingly prominent over the last few decades. Does this reflect a rise in child abuse, or are we simply more conscious of it? Are actual cases of child abuse rising or declining? This paper shows that although the incidence of child abuse does appear to be on the increase, this is not necessarily true.
Abstract This ten page paper warns that child abuse is a problem of tragic proportions in the United States, for each year approximately three million innocent children are physically and psychologically abused, according to child protective service agencies in the United States. The paper suggests that child abuse in America is much worse than statistics indicate, for child abuse incidents are concealed much more often than they are detected and adjudicated.
From the Paper "This shocking evidence compels policymakers at every level of government to confront the reality that child abuse has reached epidemic proportions in America, primarily because of the criminal negligence of local, state, and federal authorities and policy makers, who have consistently failed to acknowledge the scope and severity of child abuse."
Abstract This paper discusses child labor laws in the United States. It starts off by discussing the history of child labor in this country and why there was a great need for reform. It also tells the reader the struggle that reformers went through to get child labor laws on the books. Next, the laws regarding child labor are discussed for today's times. The consequences of violating the laws are also mentioned.
From the Paper "The United States government has enacted many laws and regulations over the years to protect the rights of workers in this country from unfair labor practices, employment discrimination and abuse. One of the groups of people that the government has enacted this type of legislation to protect is that of children, some of the most vulnerable workers. Throughout this paper I will examine child labor laws in the United States. I will give the background for such laws and the history of child labor in this country, including situations which created the needs for these laws. Furthermore, I will discuss how these laws have evolved over the years and what effect child labor laws have on the workplace today. Although child labor is not a big issue today as far more youth are in school than working during current times, this was not always the case."
Abstract This paper provides two essays on child development, the first on the argument over whether the development of behavior is governed more by nature or nurture and how each affects child development; and the second on two of the stages offered by Piaget, the pre-operational stage and the concrete operational stage, and the differences between them as reflected in child behavior.
From the Paper "The argument over whether the development of behavior is governed more by nature or nurture has been ongoing for many decades. Which force is seen as dominant governs how one decides a number of biological and sociological issues. The debate over nature versus nurture means do inherent traits or the power of training and socialization in a cultural setting decide behavior. The debate has been seen in a wide variety of contexts, from gender roles to criminal activities. Studies of gender, for instance, suggest that as with most human behaviors, both nature and nurture play a role, and gender emerges in the interaction of the two. This can be seen in studies comparing different societies and showing that human behavior develops based on genetic factors creating a beginning framework that is then modified by the environment. Other studies have addressed criminal behavior and whether it is to any degree genetic."
Abstract The paper explores child pornography within the context of finding child pornography, investigating the act and treating it as a criminal offence. The paper shows that child pornography is not specifically pornography, but instead is a form of obscenity and exploitation. A case study of virtual child pornography is included as a brief example of problems faced in identifying and persecuting offenders.
From the Paper "Child pornography is defined as the practice of creating media for purposes of sexual arousal or pleasure using a person or persons under the age of eighteen (Ferraro & Casey, 2004). All child pornography is by definition non-consensual, as legal statutes prohibit persons under the age of eighteen from agreeing to participate in the creation of pornography; therefore child pornography will always be deemed illegal regardless as to whether the model consented to its making. Indeed, even in scenarios in which the child model misrepresented himself or herself as eighteen years of age or older, the manufacturers of the pornographic media are promoting a crime (Ferraro & Casey, 2004). Child pornography is considered a felony under federal law (Taylor & Quayle, 2003)."
Abstract The paper examines "Wayne: An Abused Child's Story of Courage, Survival, and Hope", which is a first-person account of a childhood ravaged by abuse and violence. The paper relates that the book is written in the form of a memoir and shows how it powerfully conveys the harsh and bitter reality of child abuse. The paper also relates the author's goals of discussing why child abuse happens, what it feels like to be subjected to it and what the short-term and long-term consequences are for the child.
From the Paper "In summarizing Theodore's main points and examining his purpose in writing this book, it is evident that he wants his readers to understand why child abuse happens, what it feels like to be subjected to it, what the short-term and long-term consequences are for the child, and how they can be overcome. His primary purpose was to share his own experiences with others, especially other victims of child abuse, in the hope that doing so will encourage them to heal themselves and begin new lives, while doing their part to elevate national awareness about this issue."
Abstract This paper discusses the practical realities of a child witness. The paper focuses on understanding the "impressionability" of a child, and the child's ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. The paper explains that many states provide procedures to limit the trauma for children, such as testimony by closed-circuit television rather than in-court testimony, although there must be a hearing to determine if these procedures are appropriate. The paper suggests that the courts accept the competence of child accusers, confident that judicial processes can address possible issues of impressionability.
From the Paper "The legal system does not accept such rules of competence. The key rule of evidence, the Federal Rules of Evidence, states at Rule 601: "General Rule of Competency: Every person is competent to be a witness . . . ." Most states follow this rule, so that no court can categorically bar a witness who is a member of a given class (such as age) without a showing that the individual witness cannot give sound testimony. Federal law is specific. A child is presumed competent. 18 U.S.C. . "
A case study analysis of David Pelzer's life, as described in his book, "A Child Called "It"" and a discussion of the laws regarding the reporting of child abuse by teachers.
Abstract This paper discusses the role that teachers should play in the reporting of suspected child abuse. It describes the law regarding the reporting of child abuse in the United States and provides a case example from David Pelzer's life, as described in his book, "A Child Called "It"." The writer suggests that David only lived because a teacher reported his abuse and concludes that if she is ever am in a situation where I am faced with the question to report or not to report-my answer is very clear.
From the Paper "In contemplating those examples one can see that it is not as easy as it sounds to "do the right thing." Sometimes we cannot be sure what is ultimately best for the child and that is what everyone is trying to accomplish. For 3 elementary school teachers in Atlanta the choice was not theirs to make. The 3 instructors were arrested in connection with failure to report suspicions of child abuse. The worst part of this story is that none of the teachers had even suspected abuse and further investigations by the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services have failed to substantiate the allegations of child abuse and no charges have been filed (Carmody, 1989). Ultimately, there are 3 school teachers that did not suspect abuse, were arrested for not reporting it and then find out that the child was probably not abused in the first place. To revert back to my earlier statement, there could have been a history of abuse there and it was overlooked, now that they have investigated and found nothing, that child could be in for even more abuse and no one to turn to for help."
