An Enigmatic American Epidemic

AN ENIGMATIC AMERICAN EPIDEMIC:

Child abuse is a social, moral and most importantly an economical problem. Child abuse does not discriminate against a child based on age, sex, race, religion, or socioeconomic background. Any child can fall victim to this often, all too silent problem. Research indicates that as many as one out of every four children will be the victims of some kind of abuse in their lifetime. The majority being abused by someone they know and trust; for example a relative (Child Help 1/5). During recent years the public eye has become focused on victimization against children, but what is causing it? Why have these statistics been steadily rising? Why have the number of children’s head injuries at the hands of adults grown nearly 20% from 2005 to 2008, and why has that number slowly come back down in the years since (Child Help 1/5)? Given the correlation between the United States Recession and the almost instant spike in reported child abuse cases, a key element must come into play between the ability to care for your family and the stress of losing ones economic status.

An article published in The New York Times states that The United States was stuck by a recession mid-2007. In February of 2008, 63,000 jobs were lost. By the end of the year a staggering 605,000 national jobs were cut, bringing unemployment rate to 6.1 percent in August, its highest level in five years. The stock market hit bottom in the second quarter of 2009 but the nation's economy continues to be described as an "economic malaise" throughout 2011 (Uchitelle).

With more than three children dying as a result of child abuse each day in the United States, this is a significant problem. There are 4 major types of abuse: physical, sexual, psychological, and neglect. Among these, neglect is the most prevalent, having so many sub-categories. In the year 2008, United States, state