NCJ Number
51442
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 48 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1978) Pages: 608-617
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
EVIDENCE ASSOCIATING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT WITH SOCIAL CLASS IS REVIEWED. REASONS WHY THE MYTH OF CLASSLESSNESS IS PROMULGATED AND THE DAMAGING EFFECTS OF THIS MYTH ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PAPER COUNTERS THE ARGUMENT THAT CHILD ABUSE OCCURS PROPORTIONALLY AMONG ALL SOCIAL CLASSES. EVERY NATIONAL SURVEY INDICATES A PREPONDERANCE OF REPORTED ABUSE CASES AMONG LOW-INCOME FAMILIES; PROFESSIONALS ATTRIBUTE THIS TO A SUPPOSEDLY HIGHER REPORTING OF ABUSE BY WELFARE AGENCIES THAN BY PRIVATE PHYSICIANS. TO COUNTER THIS ARGUMENT, TWO STUDIES OF CHILD DEATHS ARE CITED, ONE FROM PHILADELPHIA AND ONE FROM NEW YORK CITY. THESE STUDIES WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE THE DEATH OF A CHILD IS DIFFICULT TO HIDE AND SUSPICIOUS AND ACCIDENTAL DEATHS ARE USUALLY INVESTIGATED IN A MAJOR CITY. IN PHILADELPHIA 80 PERCENT OF THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO DIED AS THE RESULT OF ABUSE HAD RECEIVED SOME FORM OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; IN NEW YORK, 70 PERCENT HAD. NEARLY ALL OF THE CHILDREN WHO DIED AS THE RESULT OF MULTIPLE ABUSIVE INCIDENTS CAME FROM POOR FAMILIES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE MYTH OF CLASSLESSNESS ENABLES BOTH POLITICIANS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO INCREASE THE PRESTIGE OF THE PROBLEM AND GARNER SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, THE MYTH OBSCURES THE REAL CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE: THE TENSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH POVERTY. IT IS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT NEGLECT CASES ARE TWICE AS COMMON AS ABUSE CASES AND THAT MOST OF THESE CAN BE DIRECTLY TRACED TO POVERTY: LACK OF MONEY FOR FOOD, LACK OF CHILD CARE FOR MOTHERS WHO MUST WORK AND MUST LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN ALONE IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE MYTH OF CLASSLESSNESS KEEPS CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES FROM ATTEMPTING TO REMEDY THE REAL CAUSES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)