Ms.Clark
English 12
19 November 2009
Domestic Violence Against Children
“Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat of use of violence, when one person believes they are entitled to control another” (Aardvark). Domestic Violence is not taken nearly as seriously as is should be . Recently I viewed a poster in my hometown that was raising awareness about the reality of child abuse. I observed the reactions of those that saw it. Most people seemed to shrug off the topic of child abuse, sweep it under the rug. They acted as if they didn't even see the picture of the little girl crying with a teddy bear on the poster along with the number to report child abuse below her face. In fact the very word child abuse paints a picture isolated incidents that occur in inner cities; spurning from public housing projects, and people with a poor socioeconomic status. However, that is simply not the case. “Abused children come from all types of homes. Some children who are brought up in poor conditions live happy and safe lives, other children may live in fine houses but are abused”(Park 25). The number of cases continue to proliferate so rapidly that the current statistic is a current rate of “almost five children dying every day as a result of child abuse”(Child help).
The vast majority of Americans do not realize the prevalence and severity of child abuse and its effects within the United States . The results are staggering “a report of child abuse is made every ten seconds”(Child help) and equally as disturbing is that “about eighty percent of twenty one year olds that were abused as children meet the criteria for at least one psychological disorder”(Child help). It is true there are many cases of child abuse but there are also an overwhelming number of myths about child abuse. It is believed by most victims that “it will never happen to them, and it won’t happen in there community, domestic violence only happens to poor children and children of color or minorities”(Domestic Violence). Sadly these assumptions are incorrect. Domestic violence preys on all types of victims. It targets “different sexes, religion, ages, and cultures “(Domestic Violence). Other common misconception are that “alcohol, drug abuse, and stress and mental illness can cause abuse, and if the situation at home was really as bad as the mother claims, then she would leave with her child”(Domestic
Violence). Alcohol use, drug abuse and stress do not cause domestic violence they may
go along with domestic violence but they do not cause the violence in the abuser. “One of the hardest things to do in an abusive situation is to leave. Leaving can be extremely dangerous” (Domestic Violence). Most abusers feed off of control. If they begin to feel as if they are losing control, they could become enraged, making it almost impossible to leave’ (Domestic Violence).
“Over two million cases of child abuse are reported each year” (Landau 7).Sadly an individual coming from an abusive background has a much higher chance of being involved in a felony than an individual from a “normal”, balanced household. “36.7%of all women in prison and 14.4% of all men in prison in the United States were abused as children”(Child help). “In a recent report, is was found that eighty percent of those jailed in the United States for committing any crimes of violence had been abused as
children”(Park 33). Children that have gone through physical abuse, sexual abuse,
emotional abuse or neglect seem to be more often involved in drug abuse, alcohol,
premarital sex and some form of crime. The majority of them have never felt loved in
their own homes. Their violence is a silent outcry for love and attention
they have never felt. “Children who experience child abuse and neglect are 59% more
likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult and 30%
more likely to commit a violent crime”(Child help).
Child abuse can be broken down into four main categories physical, sexual,
emotional, and neglect. “The problem of child abuse has not suddenly appeared over the
last century. Accounts of children being abused go back as far as history” (Park 16). In
fact, abuse has almost become a natural part of our culture. In many children’s stories
and fairytales, there is a wicked stepmother that neglects and abuses the main character. Unlike reality, most of these stories end with a prince saving the day and the abuser being served their just reward. Child abuse, like many other things in life, goes through cycles. Even though the number of cases and fatalities are rising, the reason behind it sees to point directly to social movements “The sexual revolution of the 1960’s, like Woodstock ”,where very little emphasis was put on safe sex or birth control inevitably produced lots of unwanted children. Mixing a lack of abstinence with a captivating drug scene produced many "inconvenient children". Not only is there aa abuse cycle that can be greatly affected by large social gatherings, like Woodstock but there is also a cycle that revolves within the family of an abused child. “Some evidence indicates that an abused child will grow up to abuse his own children to continue a “cycle of abuse”(Park 39). However, there hope for a change. Some studies have shown that abused children who, as adults have a loving supportive relationship with a spouse and people that are aware of their history of abuse as a child, are more likely to consciously resolve not to repeat it, and they are more likely to break the cycle. “Being maltreated as a child puts one at risk for becoming abusive, but the path between these two points is far from direct or inevitable”(Landau 26). Child abuse could be considered a universal problem but not every country handles it the same. “In most western civilizations and developed countries child abuse is frowned upon by society. Ironically eastern civilizations insists child abuse is not a problem for them yet “ Japan has a high teen suicide rate because of the intense pressure placed upon them by their families and the country to succeed in school. If they don’t succeed they are considered to be a disgrace to their family.(Park 44). Officials say they simply believe that children are to be seen not heard. A major drawback of evident child abuse in developing countries is the lack of resources.“Many countries believethey have more pressing problems of health and nutrition, so abuse falls low on the list oftop priorities”(Park 21).
“It is now fully recognized that child abuse can scar a human being for the rest of their life, especially if they do not receive adequate help” (Park 59). In most
communities, programs are offered to help the victim cope with working through the
painful experiences of their past. “Counseling services that work specifically with
children use interactive experiences like role play, painting or drawing and verbal
assertion of their rights to express themselves and help them work through their
past”(Strauss 63). Many counselors also impress the idea of personal space and personal
rights onto the child’s mind. “One of the first steps of healing is to understand that as a person, they have the right to have boundaries and speak up”(Straus 29).When a child has been betrayed by an adult, whether it be from a physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, their rights have been violated and trust of adults has been lost.It is the counselors job to help them earn that basic trust back and heal the scars from their abuser.
Fear, intimidation, and strategic manipulation are the catalysts behind child abuse. The myth that abuse only occurs in families with a low socioeconomic status is simply incorrect. Abuse can happen anytime, anywhere and in any social class. “Violence in middle-and upper-class homes is far more common than generally known” (Landau 28). Moreover, reported child abuse continues to be on the rise in society. “For children and adults who have come into contact with child abuse, the consequences are very real.For others who hear about it through newspapers, books or on television, it is something that only happens to other people. But in fact, every child is a potential victim and every adult a potential abuser” (Landau 56).
Work Cited
Aardvarc. 12 Nov. 2009
Child Help. 10 Nov. 2009
Domestic violence. 8 Nov. 2010
Landau, Elaine. Child Abuse an American Epidemic. New Jersey : Julian Messner, 1984.
Park, Anglea. Understanding Social Issues Child Abuse. New York :
Aladdin Books, 1968
Strauss, Murry A. and Richard J. Gells and Suzanne K. Steinmetz. Behind Closed Doors
Violence in the American Family. Garden City, New York , Anchor Books 1980.
