Child Abuse

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how there are no black-and-whites when it comes to human behavior. For example, it is not always to determine at what point yelling at a child becomes emotional abusive or when spanking turns into something physically violent. The paper looks at the difference between spanking and serious physical abuse. The paper contends that more progress needs to be made in terms of adjudication and the legal system. The paper examines the statistical reporting of child abuse and considers whether child abuse is over or under-reported. The paper concludes that as long as many inconsistencies exist with the law, it is necessary for the judicial system to look at sentencing on a case-by-case basis.

Outline:
Introduction
Definition of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
Spanking Versus Serious Physical Abuse
Study by Baumrind Showing Most Parents Spank Without Ill Impact on Children
Statistical Reporting of Child Abuse Numbers
Disagreement of Over/Under-Reporting of Child Abuse Claims
Investigative/Tool Inconsistencies
Racial/cultural Misrepresentations
American Psychology Association Recommendations
Suggested Actions to Take to Improve Child Abuse Adjudication Problems

From the Paper:

"However, even within the law there are blurry areas, such as how does one define the word "serious"? Is it necessary, for example, to reprimand parents who spank their children? Is this a "serious" crime? In her article "Parents May Be the Ones Needing Spanking," Pitts cites a study by Dr. Diana Baumrind, a psychologist at the University of California at Berkeley, who followed 164 middleclass families from the time their children were in preschool until their 20s. Results showed that most of the parents used some form of corporal punishment, but giving a mild spanking--defined as openhanded swats on the backside, arm or legs--did not leave their children scarred for life. Although Baumrind opposes spanking, she was able to make a distinction between minor punishments such as spanking and harsher variations including shaking and blows to the head or face."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Besharov, Douglas J. Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect. Washington, D.C. University of Maryland's Welfare Reform Academy, 2000.
• Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) of 1974. 23 November 2006http://laws.adoption.com/statutes/child-abuse-prevention-and-treatment-act-capta-of-1974.html.
• Dershowitz, Alan. M. Contrary to Popular Opinion. New York: Pharos Books, 1992.
• Murray, Bridget. Cultural insensitivity leads to unfair penalties. Monitor 30.9, October 1999 http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct99/mv2.html
• Orr, Susan. Child Protection at the Crossroads: Child Abuse, Child Protection, and Recommendations for Reform. UCLA. Policy Study No. 262, 1999.

More papers on Child Abuse:

• Term Paper # 145680 : "Using Communication to Prevent Child Abuse"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 88575 : "Psychological Implications of Child Abuse"
• Term Paper # 134249 : "Child Abuse and Neglect"
• Essay # 72123 : "Child Abuse And Policy"

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