chapter 14 textbook questions Flashcards
How does the definition of abuse affect reporting abuse
Abuse refers to a situation in which a person takes advantage of a less powerful person. Thus, it encompasses neglect, sexual and emotional abuse, and financial exploitation, as well as physical violence
Why are there variations in estimates of child abuse
attention to abuse grew, definitions became broader and more inclusive. All definitions assume that appropriate standards of behaviour parents exist. The problem is that the standards vary over time, for example those concerning appropriate discipline. They also very across cultures in between social groups. What is seen is abusive or neglectful by one maybe two responsible parenting by another.
First, changes in public and professional awareness of the problem can affect reporting rights. Second, changes in legislation and definitions can also affect reporting rates. Of course, there may also be actual variation in the rate of child abuse.
Example of victim blaming
The situational, or stress, Theory suggests that abuse occurs when the abuser is under stress. Such situations include a physical frail or mentally incompetent adult or hard to care for trial. This exclamation, however, comes dangerously close to blaming the victim. In addition to difficulties in side the family, stressors can also include word problems, poverty, and other environmental factors
Characteristics of parents who abuse children
Early studies produced a stereotype of the abusive parent. Particular groups that were identified were the young (under 20 years) and the unmarried (Bert et al., 2009). A mother whose parents separated before she was 15 years old, or who lived in a foster home because she or her siblings were neglected or abused, was considered to be at particular risk of being an abuser herself
common types of children maltreatment that are investigated
and those at risk of being abused
The most common type of child maltreatment investigated by child welfare authorities is exposure to intimate partner violence, followed by neglect
Children at risk of being abused include unwanted children (see Box 14.1 on page 359), children living with a lone parent, those born prematurely, those with
physical or mental challenges, or those in poor health. According to one report, being a stepchild is the single most important risk factor for severe child abuse (Daly & Wilson, 1996). Young children are more likely to be abused by a family member. As they get older, children are more likely to be abused by a non-family member (see Figure 14.1). In 2008, the rate of child abuse was four times higher in Aboriginal populations than in non-Aboriginal populations
contradictory pressure for child welfare authorities in child abuse cases
Currently, all the provinces and territories have mandatory reporting laws requiring professionals working with children and other members of the general public to report suspected cases of child abuse to authorities, either the police or child welfare agencies. But unlike for older victims, where surveys such as the General Social Survey on Victimization are able to provide data based on self-reported victimization, there is no equivalent national survey for children and youth (Sinha, 2012). And because some forms of abuse are difficult to detect or prove, they may not be included in official definitions. Emotional abuse, psychological aggression, and neglect can be just as damaging to a child as physical abuse. Yet it is difficult for an outsider to prove that a parent is rejecting or cold enough to be abusive; as a result, few cases of emotional abuse are reported
how is abuse defined
a situation in which a person takes advantage of a les powerful person
genetic causes for abuse
A rare example is the schizophrenic individual who has delusions that family members are trying to harm him or her (Arboleda-Flórez et al., 1996). Attempts to find genetic or biological causes for abuse have, however, been largely unsuccessful.
coroporal punishment
any kind of physical force used to inflict pain and which serves as a punishment for an offense or to discourage innapropriate behaviour
physical abuse
the intentional use of physical force ahainst a child resulting in injury or causing bodily harm
historically how has violence against women been viewed
Women have long been seen as possessions of men. In England, women and children were considered the property of the husband and father, who had the obligation to control and discipline them. A man was allowed to beat his wife as long as the stick he used was no thicker than his thumb
why do critics of spanking argue that parents shouldnt spank their children
child development experts point out that parents who spank often tend to spank a lot and that the severity usually increases. Children disciplined this way are at risk, when they are adults, of becoming abusers
which children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse
A figure commonly cited comes from the 1984 Badgley Report on the sexual abuse of children (Trocmé et al., 2001): 1 in 2 girls and 1 in 3 boys under 18 reported unwanted sexual acts.
why is there little research on sibling abuse
often just viewed as natural sibling rivalry
why does the GSS (general social survey) likely underreport the incedence of elder abuse?
Many older people feel stigma in reporting a child who mistreats them (Kinnon, 2001). In addition, a telephone survey like the General Social Survey (GSS ) cannot reach individuals who are confined to their rooms without a phone or who have conditions like dementia.
