There are four types of child abuse: physical, child neglect, emotional, and sexual. Physical abuse is a very controversial type of child abuse. Parents around the United States have different opinions over what is considered okay, and where to draw the line. Physical abuse happens when a child is physically harmed or injured. Whether it is by being beaten, shaken, or bruised, this type of abuse comes in many forms.
Physical abuse can also happen if a parent takes discipline or punishment too far such as “hitting a child with a belt or switch,” comment written by Sydney Newton and Julie Gerrits. Back when some grandparents were children, getting a “whuppin’” or their “hide tanned” was the typical punishment for bad behavior, and parents today still believe it is acceptable. Others argue it is not okay, that it can hurt and humiliate a child, and leaves visible marks. It also has serious negative effects. These children could develop emotional disorders such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) later on and have trouble trusting other people (14). Why should a child have to suffer through that? The government should try to give parents the freedom to discipline their child, but also draw a clear line so it doesn’t cross over into abuse.
Child neglect, a common type of child abuse, is a growing problem in the US. It occurs when a parent or guardian fails to provide a child’s basic needs or is “physically or mentally unable to care for a child,” adds an article written by Joanna Saison, Melinda Smith, and Jeanne Segal. Most child neglect is due to poverty in a family, and the incapacity of a parent to supply necessities in a household, such as food, education, clothing, shelter, or supervision. This type of abuse can also result from parental substance abuse. “One-third to two-thirds of child abuse and neglect cases involve substance abuse to some degree,” concludes the Childhelp Organization’s article “National Child Abuse Statistics.” Children whose parents abuse alcohol or drugs are three times more likely to be abused and four-times more likely to be neglected.Some parents may be neglecting their children and may not even know it. They could be battling addictions or have mental illnesses and do not know that what they are doing is wrong. Various forms of neglect are not deliberate, such as a parent leaving her baby in the car for a few minutes under the hot sun where babies may overheat and die. Should this parent face consequences? Certain people say yes because a parent should never leave a baby unattended in any circumstance. Others disagree. They say if a child is lost due to a parent’s careless mistake, the parent has “suffered enough,” implies the article, “Family Law: Child Abuse/ Child Safety/ Discipline.” A few suggest the government require mandatory visits from social workers to all homes where babies are born, to help families who may be unsure of how to take care of a child or need extra help. This is good for teen parents who don’t have the knowledge and skills other women have to take care of their newborns. It also prevents a parent from feeling stressed and taking it out on their new baby, perhaps resulting in the death of their child. “National Child Abuse Statistics” observed that 80% of the children who die each day to abuse are under the age of 4. Having social workers involved in the upraising of some children could possibly lower these numbers and stop innocent children from being attacked.
The third type of child abuse, emotional abuse is equally as destructive as physical abuse. Even if no visible scars are obtained, emotional ones are. Emotional abuse is when a child is called names such as “worthless,” “stupid,” or a “mistake,” or exposing a child to abuse, such as hurting a family member or friend. It also includes “frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying” (Saison, Smith, and Segal). Parents who desire control and power in a household may call a child names to make them feel small and insignificant. These words can cut deep in a child’s heart. If emotionally abused, children can get attachment disorders or suffer from depression which could cause them to have suicidal thoughts. They may also question if they “are worthy of love or affection” (Newton and Gerrits 22).
Emotional abuse occurs often in today’s society without being recognized most of the time. For example, when a coach curses at a player during a match. It is okay for the coach to shout to be heard over the noise, but cursing is crossing over into emotional abuse. However, many people do not consider this abuse since it is very present in the United States. Some say it is “just part of the game” or that the coach “isn’t serious.” On the other hand, it is unacceptable and rude, and can diminish one’s self-worth and self-esteem. Another everyday scenario is when a friend insults one’s appearance. “No offense” and “just kidding” are often used in a way to show one doesn’t mean what they say, but the damage from the insult can mean a lot to the victim. Because of this, it is extremely “easy to overstep the boundaries between teasing and instruction to taunting and abuse” (Newton and Gerrits 21).
Sexual child abuse is a hidden type of abuse. It leaves children feeling overcome with shame. For these reasons, children may be afraid to tell anyone if they have been sexually abused. This type of abuse happens when a child is exposed to sexual situations or material, inappropriately touched, or raped (“Family Law: Child Abuse/ Child Safety/ Discipline”). Newton and Gerrits note that, “25% of women and 5-15% of men were sexually abused as children.” Children who have been sexually abused will forever be scarred. They are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and PTSD (29).
Sexual abusers these days have many ways to reach kids. Some may be close friends or family of the victim. According to “National Child Abuse Statistics,” 90% of sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. As more people are using technology, sexual predators are finding easier ways to get their hands on children. For example, several are using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to lure kids in to participate in sexual activity.
Sadly, the government does not do much to help these victims, as many of them do not say a word to anyone about the abuse that is occurring. Children often do not tell anyone because they are afraid their parents will get in trouble. Also, “abused children may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or that the abuse is their fault” (Newton and Gerrits 9). Several fear that no one will believe them.
Unfortunately, some parents are falsely accused of abusing or neglecting their child. These false reports can be serious and can send the parents to jail and hurt their reputations for the rest of their lives. Victims of Child Abuse Laws (VOCAL) is a group that hopes to alter laws regarding child abuse to prevent the false accusations and protect parents’ rights (“Family Law”). Many groups like VOCAL say it is too easy for false accusations to be made and children to be removed from their parents. Some reports come from children seeking attention or hoping to avoid reasonable discipline. Others come from parents seeking custody over children during divorce or custody battles. In certain cases, police may manipulate a child to support allegations of child abuse.
Mostly the problem is that people have many views regarding what discipline is and when it crosses over into abuse. All children have the right to feel safe and free from harm regardless of who they are. After all, they are the future generation that will be taking over. If the children of today are being abused, then so will the children of tomorrow. 30% of abused and neglected children will continue the cycle of abuse to their own children (Saison, Smith, and Segal). These children are also 25% more likely to become pregnant in their teen years. “Abused children 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” (Saison, Smith, and Segal).
Children shouldn’t have to feel like doing drugs or crime is the only path for them. They shouldn’t have to suffer from ridicule and harassment at any point in their lives. They should feel loved, accepted, and equal to every other human being in the country. It’s time for the government to step up and support the younger voices in the US and to make the world a better place for them.
Work Cited
Newton, Sydney. Gerrits, Julie. Straight Talk About Child Abuse. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2011. Print.
Saison, Joanna. Smith, Melinda. Segal, Jeanne. “Child Abuse and Neglect.” Helpguide. 2012. Web. 9 February 2012.
“Family Law: Child Abuse/Child Safety/ Discipline.” eNotes. eNotes. 2003. Web. 14 February 2012.
“National Child Abuse Statistics.” Childhelp. Childhelp Organization. 15 Feb 2012. Web. 15 Feb 2012.
