Child Abuse And Neglect Within The United States - 2211 Words

Abstract This paper discusses several articles, as well as some college texts, that define and illuminate the four main types of child abuse that exist within the United States. It also discusses some of the effects of abuse and attempts to offer some solutions for this very prevalent societal problem. The definitions of child abuse and neglect vary, based on the context in which they have been studied. Some studies suggest that neglect is the most prevalent type of child abuse in this country. Kaplan, Schene, DePanfilis, and Gilmore assert that neglect becomes chronic when its occurrence is not only ongoing, but seriously deprives a child of basic physical, developmental, and/or emotional needs by someone who cares for them. Whatever†¦show more content†¦Then there are those, who for various reasons find some sort of satisfaction in causing physical harm to children. Each of these scenarios is exemplary of the neglect, maltreatment, physical abuse, and sexual exploitation of c hildren in this country. This essay will attempt to describe the major types of child abuse in the United States and provide documented trends in its occurrences, as well as offer solutions for the decrease in incidence of child abuse and neglect in American society. According to Karen Seccombe (2010), the highest rates of victimization exist among children from birth to one year old, and they are slightly more likely to be female. As defined in Exploring Marriages and Families, child abuse is an attack on a child that results in an injury and violates our social norms. There are four types that are most commonly considered: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological or emotional maltreatment. Each of these has been studied at length, and some have been linked to various other problems. For example, Romano (2014) suggests that not only is there a link between childhood academic achievement and mental health, but between childhood maltreatment and educational outcomes as well. Maltreatment here can be defined simply as any verbal, mental, or psychological abuse which serves to destroy a child’s self-esteem (Seccombe, 2010). The research evaluates certain variables