NCJ Number
7931
Date Published
1971
Length
128 pages
Annotation
CHILD ABUSE IS TRACED FROM ITS ANCIENT ORIGINS THROUGH ITS MODERN EXPRESSION IN HOSPITAL STATISTICS.
Abstract
RECENTLY, A YOUNG SUBURBAN WASHINGTON, D.C. COUPLE WAS CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF THEIR INFANT DAUGHTER. THE CHILD DIED AFTER BEING ADMITTED TO A HOSPITAL SUFFERING FROM THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME. CHILD SACRIFICE WAS WIDESPREAD AMONG PRIMITIVE PEOPLES AND WAS A SOURCE OF MAJOR CONCERN IN EUROPE DURING THE LATE 18TH CENTURY. THE EXISTENCE OF CHILD DESTRUCTION IN SO MANY ERAS AND SOCIETIES SUGGESTS TO THE AUTHOR THAT INFANTICIDE - AND BEATINGS WHICH FALL SHORT OF IT - IS A PRIMITIVE METHOD OF POPULATION CONTROL. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME STUDIES REPORT THAT THE BEHAVIOR OF BATTERED CHILDREN TENDS TO BE SO UNPLEASANT THAT IT IS DIFFICULT FOR NURSING STAFF TO GIVE THEM LOVING CARE. ABUSED CHILDREN WHO SURVIVE ARE APPARENTLY SO SCARRED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES THAT THEY EITHER DO NOT MARRY, OR, IF THEY DO, BECOME CHILD BEATERS THEMSELVES. THESE FACTS LEND SUPPORT TO THE THESIS THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE IS THE LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF SUCESSFUL CHILD BEARERS IN A SOCIETY. SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS DOES NOT CONTAIN A PRESCRIPTION OR CURE, BUT IT DOES PROVIDE A CONTEXT FOR A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF CHILD ABUSE. (SNI ABSTRACT)