NCJ Number
25922
Date Published
1974
Length
203 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK DISCUSSES THE FAMILY PATTERNS AND SOCIAL SITUATIONS THAT GIVE RISE TO CHILD ABUSE AND THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY MEMBERS OF THE HELPING PROFESSIONS IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR SPENT TWO YEARS INTERVIEWING THE BATTERING PARENTS THEMSELVES, AS WELL AS SOCIAL WORKERS, THE POLICE AND PSYCHIATRISTS. THE TAPED STORIES OF SEVERAL PARENTS COVER NOT ONLY THEIR LIVES AND THE EVENTS WHICH LED THEM TO THEIR ACTIONS, BUT ALSO THEIR VIEWS ON THE HELP THAT WAS GIVEN THEM OR THE LACK OF IT. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE WAYS THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONS REGARD EACH OTHER. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT ALTHOUGH LIP SERVICE IS PAID TO THE IDEA OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN ALL PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN THE FIELD, THE TRUTH IS THAT TOO FREQUENTLY A DEEP DISTRUST EXISTS BETWEEN THEM, PARTICULARLY BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE POLICE AND THAT THIS DISTRUST RESULTS IN HAVING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN FALL THROUGH THE SOCIAL WELFARE NET EVERY YEAR. SEVERAL PROPOSALS FOR DEALING WITH THESE PROBLEMS ARE SUGGESTED, INCLUDING IMPLEMENTING 'NEW-MOTHERS' CLUBS' (ON THE ORDER OF PRE-NATAL AND POST-NATAL CLINICS), NIGHT NURSERIES FOR PARENTS SUFFERING FROM THE 'CRYING CHILD' SYNDROME, CHILDREN'S ADOVOCATES, AND A BRITISH VERSION OF MOTHERS ANONYMOUS.