The Seriousness of Emotional Deprivation

In the United States child maltreatment is a common universal problem that can effect children of all ages (Fang, Brown, Florence, & Mercy, 2012). Additionally, it is responsible for the main cause of mortalities among children who are the age of five years and younger with majority of the injuries inflicted by an adult caregiver (Schnitzer & Ewigman, 2005). Prior to the twentieth century, there were a number of non-governmental organizations committed to providing support to child abuse victims. However, due to the lack of resources by the organizations and state regulations, numerous children did not receive support and remained defenseless, hence “modern prosecutions for child abuse were virtually nonexistent” (Nelson, 2012, p. 191). Meanwhile, this put a lot of pressure on the federal government to get involved and help ensure that children who were victims of abuse would receive the proper aid and treatment. As a result, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is recognized as the first nationally passed bill regarding maltreatment and neglect of children. The purpose of CAPTA is to provide knowledge of child abuse awareness and administer state funding to programs available on a federal level. The objective of this paper is to discuss the impact of maltreatment on children, how maltreatment is a public health

Child abuse has been a big issue in the world for a long time. There has not always been child protective services like there is now. Children would be abused and neglected and nothing was being done because it was not being reported. The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was the world’s first organization in the late 1800s which was dedicated totally to child protection (Myers, 2008).

The National Children 's Alliance reported that the number of unique cases of abused and neglected children in the United States stands at an annual rate of 700,000 and rising (as cited in ?U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,? 2016, p. ii). Sadly, this means that more than 1,900 new children become victims of abuse and neglect with each passing day. Neglect was the type of

This article documents the history of child abuse in the U.S. that dates back to colonial times. Children were considered property and animals were better protected than children. This was evident with Mary Ellen’s case in 1873. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals fought for this child and the New York state court ordered the child to be removed from her abusive home and place

You’ve heard the saying, “children are our future.” Therefore why does the “United States have one of the worst records for child abuse” (childhelp.org). According to the 2015 child maltreatment report,” almost 7.2 million children were involved in some sort of abuse whether mental, emotional, physical or sexual and 75.3% of victims are neglected” (americanspcc.org). You’ve seen the news reports of children being neglected whether it’s a parent who forgets their child was in the car and locks them in on a hot summer day roasting their child’s little life away, or the parent who beats their child to their death, or the parent who is suffering an addiction and doesn’t provide the proper quality of life and care to their child or children that they are taken away by the state only to be dumped into the foster care system. Research states, “that an estimated 1,670 children died in 2015 from abuse or neglect and 207,000 children received foster care services” (americanspcc.org).

According to Kasia O’Neill Murray and Sarah Gesiriech article “A Brief Legislative History of the Child Welfare System,” they claims, “Throughout the history of the United States, the child welfare system has evolved according to changing beliefs and attitudes about what role government should play in the protection and care of abused and neglected children” (Murray & Gesiriech, p.1). These changes has benefit families and children which help secure the safety and the physical needs of those in need. Murray and Gesiriech claims, that during the 1700’s many children were remove from their parents because they cannot provide the basic needs and care for their children. Murray & Gesiriech, Zastrow point out, the first orphanages were stablish

In addition, about 16% of the children suffered from physical abuse, while 9% of the children suffered from sexual abuse”. The amount of children being abused and neglected does not stop there; “7% of children suffered from psychological maltreatment, 2% experienced medical neglect while 9% of children suffered from other forms of maltreatments” (CAPTA, 2010).

Simply turn on the TV, and on any news channel the viewer is sure to hear reports regarding some issue currently present in society. Most common are stories covering crime, violence, and political scandals. What does not receive as much publicity though, is the abuse and neglect inflicted on children across the country. In literature, characters that experience maltreatment as children tend to fit the “underdog” mold, for they are unable to stand against the wrongs dealt unto them until a later time or event when they are better suited to fight back; thereby gaining the reader’s sympathy and vote for eventual victory over their antagonist. In Wuthering Heights and The Poisonwood Bible, the victimized children lacked outside support from other members of their respective communities. The same does not have to be true in the U.S. Americans have the power to make a difference in the prevalence of child maltreatment, and understanding the issue is the first step. Research and awareness of child abuse and neglect has increased in the past few decades; however, children are still suffering in today’s society. The consequences of abuse and neglect affect a wide range of categories from health and physical development; to intellectual and cognitive development; to emotional and psychological development; and social and behavioral development. In many instances, more than one type of abuse or neglect is involved, resulting in

Within the United States, child maltreatment is becoming more and more commonly reported as there is over 3 million reports each year. Due to the constant increase of child maltreatment reports, society has become more aware of the issue, which has led to awareness campaigns. (Payne, 87). Even with societies’ knowledge of such abuse there are still serval child maltreatment cases that are not reported. The children that are victims of maltreatment pertains any sort of harm to the child whether it is by injury, neglect, physical, emotional, or even sexual abuse by someone who holds a major role in the child’s life, a parent or guardian figure (“What is Child Abuse”).

Child Maltreatment continues to be a pressing issue throughout the United States. Over the years many children are victims of some type of maltreatment which in some cases can lead to fatalities. Maltreatment can have a negative impact on children and can leave numerous physical and psychological scars affecting the child’s adjustment not only at the time of abuse, but also into their young

In the nineteenth century, although society became a bit harsher on those who abused or neglected children and child welfare organizations mushroomed, child abuse and neglect were still not considered crimes (Hirschy, & Wilkinson, 2012). However, all through the twentieth century, the social perceptions of child abuse and neglect have shifted a great deal from something that was totally unacceptable to a demeanor that can no longer be allowed both in legal and social circles. But the criminalization of child abuse and neglect was only one step towards overall child wellbeing. There is still much more to be done to ensure that child maltreatment has been eradicated.

According to statistics there are “40 million children subjected to child abuse each year” (Cause and Effects). “Child abuse occurs when a parent or caretaker physically, emotionally, sexually, mistreats or neglects a child resulting in the physical, emotional, or sexual harm or exploitation, or imminent risk of harm or exploitation, or in extreme cases death of a child” (Child Safety). Child abuse is not only a sensitive subject but a complex one because of the long-term/ short-term effects and the difference between discipline and abuse.

Millions of children are abused, affected by maltreatment, and neglected all over the world every day. However, a lot of these cases are not reported to the proper authorities. Kim, Mennen, and Trickett (2016) state that, “all the forms of abuse and neglect frequently result in adverse effects on children and adolescents over many domains including physical, psychological, behavioral and social functioning.” In some circumstances, the definition of abuse can be questionable. A lot of parents do not have all the necessities and resources needed to take care of their families. This creates situations in which children are taken from their parents and are placed under the control of the state. These kids are sent to foster or group

The maltreatment of children occurs at extraordinarily increasing proportions and is becoming a significant health risk to the children it is happening to. One of the major public health concerns should be identifying the risk factors associated with the maltreatment of these children and the just how much resistance these children really have against this abuse. Regardless of how much elasticity the general public in a whole may think these children have against maltreatment, they are still at a major risk of having diminished or compromised psychological and physical health later in life as an adult and are also are at extreme risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children who were not subject to maltreatment are still

Although child abuse has soon become a more discussed issue, it is nothing new in today’s society. Dating back to ancient times, physical child abuse has always attributed to lives of people around the world. Approaching and understanding child mistreatment has changed as societies have modernized and progressed; whereas one thing remains an unalterable issue, child abuse happens constantly and continuously worldwide.