NCJ Number
36815
Journal
FAMILY COORDINATOR Volume: 25 Dated: (APRIL 1976) Pages: 135-141
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER ADDRESSES INACCURATE PUBLIC OPINION ON THE DEFINITION, INCIDENCE, AND CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE AND THE IMPACT OF PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT RESEARCH AND TREATMENT ON THE PROBLEM OF ABUSE OUGHT TO FORSAKE THE SEARCH FOR ONE GENERAL DEFINITION OF ABUSE, AND FOCUS ON THE DISTINCTIVE ACTS OF VIOLENCE AND NONVIOLENCE AND ACTS OF COMMISSION AND COMMISSION THAT PLACE CHILDREN AT RISK. HE POINTS OUT THAT THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE BEHAVIOR WHICH CAN AUTOMATICALLY BE RECOGNIZED AS CHILD ABUSE SINCE INCIDENCE FIGURES REFLECT MORE OF WHOM WE LABEL AND HOW THAN THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF CHILD ABUSE IN SOCIETY. THE 'CHILD-ABUSER-AS-SICK' APPROACH TO EXPLAINING ABUSE IS SHOWN TO BE FAULTY, AND IT IS ARGUED THAT MANY PROGRAMS DEVELOPED TO REDUCE THE RISK AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE OF ABUSE MAY BE DOING MORE HARM TO THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY THAN THE PROBLEM THEY ARE DESIGNED TO SOLVE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.