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The Nature of Child Abuse
Posted by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 08-11-2009
Child abuse is an act or series of acts, omission or commission by a parent or guardian causing harm to the child. It mostly occurs at home, school, or the community where the child interacts.
Child maltreatment is categorized into four; first is neglect or failure of the parent or guardian to provide the basic, emotional, and intellectual needs of the child. Next would be physical abuse. This can involve striking, burning, choking, or shaking a child. In some jurisdictions, the transmission of toxins to an unborn child such as the fetal alcohol syndrome is considered a form of it. Sometimes, child abuse and child discipline are misinterpreted. There are human service professionals who claim that a cultural norm that adopts physical punishment is a form of child abuse. The use of any kind of force against children as a disciplinary measure is considered illegal in 24 countries around the world.
Emotional abuse on the other hand, involves belittling or shaming a child, withholding of affection, and granting of inappropriate or extreme punishments. Lastly, sexual abuse, which occurs when there is any sexual act between the guardian and the child including penetration, oral sex, or forced nudity in front of the adult. According to surveys, Neglect has been the most popular form of child abuse among these four while emotional maltreatment has the least number of cases reported.
The effects of child abuse vary, and it greatly depends on its type. Children with history of neglect or physical abuse are at risk of developing disorganized attachment style or even psychological problems, while victims of childhood abuse is claimed to suffer from different types of physical health problems later in life. Physical abuse on the other hand, results to a higher risk for the child of developing cancer. They are also likely to receive bone fractures.
Various treatments are now available to victims of child abuse. However, parents and guardians alike should already learn to love their children, as these are gifts and should be taken cared of.
