Bshs 408 - History of Child Abuse

History of Child Abuse Paper

Kimberly Willard

BSHS/408

June 13th, 2016

Deborah Machold

History of Child Abuse Paper

Child abuse, maltreatment and neglect effects can last a lifetime. For the health service professional industry, it is vital to identify the different types of child abuse and be aware of what policies are in place to deal with these offenses against children. This analysis will provide background on history, implications, and the extent of child abuse and what has helped shape current policies. Included will be how child abuse and neglect differ and how they are viewed from different theoretical perspectives.

History of Child Abuse and Neglect in Current Policies

        Children have been victims to neglect, abuse, and maltreatment since the dawn of mankind.  Often conditions were harsh and most children did not survive due to lack of adequate food, clothing, housing and abuse. It’s hard to imagine that so many cultures accept that children are beaten and abused. For centuries, parents were considered as children’s owners and they had control on where, what and how a child was raised. “Many religions, particularly in the United States during the 1700s, were harsh in their perception of children and contributed to abusive situations, Puritans and Calvinists taught that children were born sinful and discipline should be severely applied” (Hirschy & Wilkinson, 2010).  

However the acceptance of child abuse began to change and in the mid 1800’s when the first case of child abuse was recognized.  “As a result of this case, new organization, public and private, as well as new legislation for the protection of children were created and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was formulated” (Hirschy & Wilkinson, 2010). From there new laws and policies were implemented against child abuse and “the evidence for passing laws and changing public policy is derived from a variety of sources, some explicitly guided by research and scientific evidence and others reflecting social consensus about legitimate that government activity” (Petersen, n.d.).  Today there are laws such as mandated reporting that is required to be done when child abuse is known or suspected.  “The impact of policy change could be examined by studying areas as mandated reporters, definitions of abuse and neglect, inclusion of the witnessing of intimate partner violence, and other elements included in state laws, as well as the range of penalties” (Petersen, n.d.)

Extent of Child Abuse and Neglect

        The magnitude of children that are neglected and abused is not known, however researchers have learned that abuse puts children at risk in many areas such as post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, disassociation, eating disorders, social development, personality and attachment disorders and suicidal ideations.

Many of these children as they grow to adults will find it difficult to succeed and may experience alcohol or drug addiction, mental disorders and other terminal diseases. “Child abuse and neglect cases cost as much as $80 billion annually; there are hospitalizations, child welfare and law enforcement expenses, early intervention services, adult homelessness programs, mental health care and more” (n.d.). Sadly even with all the studies and research of the potential threat on society’s public health, there is still limited knowledge of the causes of child abuse or maltreatment or how to effectively prevent it