Child Abuse

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an overview of child abuse in the United States today, followed by a discussion of what types of clinical and legal interventions are used today. It discusses how research shows that child abuse can assume three basic forms: (a) emotional abuse, (b) physical abuse, and (c) sexual abuse and how, of the three, physical abuse has been shown to be potentially the most harmful in terms of its impact on children's lives. It concludes that child abuse represents one of the leading threats to the physical and emotional well-being of the nation's children today.

Outline
Review and Discussion
Emotional Child Abuse
Physical Child Abuse
Sexual Child Abuse
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"It is possible for an otherwise-loving and caring parents to commit a criminal act of physical child abuse simply by spanking their child too hard in a moment of anger and by leaving a discernible bruise on the child in the process. In the vast majority of physical child abuse cases, though, it would appear that there has in fact been a pattern of such abusive behaviors with profound consequences for the children involved. According to the definition provided by Roberts and Walker (2001), "Physical child abuse represents an act of commission on the part of a parent or caregiver involving excessive discipline, beatings, or some other form of overt physical violence that results in injuries to a child that may include fractures, bruises, lacerations, burns, or internal injuries" (p. 991). The ages of victims of physical child abuse range throughout the childhood lifespan, but children under the age of 5 years remain at the greatest risk of serious injury today (Roberts & Walker, 2001). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Black's Law Dictionary. (1990). St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co.
• Bedard, C., Burke, L., & Ludwig, S. (1998). Dealing with sexual abuse of adults with a developmental disability who also have impaired communication: Supportive procedures for detection, disclosure and follow-up. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 7(1), 79.
• Briggs, F., Love, M., & Mcveity, M. (2000). Teaching children to protect themselves: A resource for teachers and adults who care for young children. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
• Cooper, R., & Sutton, K. (1999). The effects of child abuse on preschool children's play. Australian Journal of Early Childhood, 24(2), 10.
• Johnson, R. J., Rew, L., & Sternglanz, R. W. (2006). The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and sexual health practices of homeless adolescents. Adolescence, 41(162), 221.

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"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: