Child Abuse, Research Paper Example

The issue related to child abuse as well as neglect has been a problem of great concern in the health and the public arena. The consequences of child abuse and neglect are adverse consequences of varying magnitudes and range to the young people and children of all ages. Majority of the victims of child abuse are affected in a variety of ways in a vast range of mild symptoms to extreme conditions that are life threatening as well as debilitating.

Developmental domains of the child under abuse including social, physical, cognitive behavioral as well as psychological are significantly affected by child abuse. Interestingly, the developmental domains are in most cases interrelated and therefore, compounding the problem (Dubowitz, & Bennett, 369).

A child under abuse is prone to problems of physical health which consequently affects the adulthood of the victim. A good example of this situation is the “shaken baby syndrome” which leads to health problems such as injuries to the spinal cord, hearing loss, development of speech difficulties and the extreme condition leads to death (English, Widom, & Brandford, 2004, 23-24).

Another common problem affecting children subjected to abuse is associated to psychological problems as well as trauma. The victims are likely to encounter problems in brain development and at the same time the risk of developing psychological problems is increased. Post traumatic stress disorders have been closely linked to child abuse by researchers. Persistent exposure to chronic trauma has also been proven to contribute to psychological problems. Brain development is seriously hindered which is also a potential hindrance to the capacity of the child to sensory integration, emotional as well as cognitive information. This situation is a predisposing factor for over-reactive responses with respect to successive stress (Dubowitz, & Bennett, 2007, 369)

Child abuse scares children for life. They develop a mind of fear whenever they come across the abuser or are subject to any environed which is not familiar with them for fear of being abused. Child abuse deteriorates child self esteem and the idea of self worth. The child lives in fear and does not see his or her importance of living because of abuse. Children will fear to participate in activities they ate familiar with or demonstrating their understanding of the activities this problem occurs most likely in academic and affects the Childs learning and development. Child abuse makes the child to lower his or her self worth and this affect5s the Childs developmental capacities especially in language and speech.Research provides that abused children performers less in academics. They perform poorly in their tests and even though their social economic background is put into consideration ( Dubowitz, & Bennett, 2007, 369).

Child abuse results to children developing behavioral problems in childhood and adolescence. Research done by Frederico et al (2008) reveals that children who are maltreated earlier in life have I high chance of developing behavioral problems at adolescence than those who were not maltreated. Child abuse is associated with internalized behaviors in children such as being withdrawn, sad, isolated and depressed. And external behaviors of being aggressive throughout their child hood life. Internalized behaviors are associated with neglect. Neglected children tend to be isolated in school and they become, aggressive and disruptive when confronted in school. On the other hand external behaviors are associated with physical and sexual abuse or domestic violence. In summary the child behavior is negatively affected by abuse and neglect (Dubowitz, & Bennett, 2007, 369)

Child abuse also causes mental health problems. Abused children develop mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders particularly the adolescents. Research provides that children who are maltreated are more likely to develop depression than mother counterparts. Another studies done by Victorian of the characteristics of children referred top therapeutic health services, showed that 62% of the children who had been abused had been diagnosis with at least one mental health problem. Another research by Higgins, (2004) reveals children and adolescents who had been abused or neglected were 4 times more likely to exhibit depression and anxiety disorders than non- abused children. Actually child abuse caused mental health problems which can be fatal (53-54).

Child abuse is also associated with youth suicide. This vice of abusing children has caused many children to commit suicide. Research provides by Higgins (2004) reveals that child abuse the attempted risk of youth committing suicide. Physical or sexual abuse has been linked with attempted suicidal thoughts at adolescence. This research also provides that youth who had physical abuse were 8 times more likely to commit suicide than non- abused youth. Child physical or sexual abuse is associated with feelings of shame and internal attributions of blame that raises chances of suicidal thoughts.

Child abuse lead to aggression, violence and criminal activity among the young people (English, Widom, & Brandford, 2004, 23-24). This is because abuse causes feelings of pain and suffering to the abused child which increases the risk of the children inflicting pain on others and behaving violently or aggressive at adolescence. Child abuse and exposure to domestic violence are the major causes of youth violence. Child abuse has very close connections with criminal activities. Meta analysis conducted by Dubowitz, & Bennett,(2007) provides that abused children had high chances of indulging in criminal activities that non-neglected ones. Neglected children were 11 times more likely to be arrested at adolescence for criminal behaviors than non- neglected children.

Child abuse also leads top teenage pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy and risky sexual activities are associates with child neglect and abuse. Abused teenagers have a high chance of indulging in risky sexual activities with senior for consolation and care (English, Widom, & Brandford, 2004,pg 23-24). This may lead to young ladies contracting pregnancy at earlier stages of life. Experience of sexual abuse is linked to teenage pregnancy. Dubowitz, H., & Bennett, S.2007 provides that young women 18 years and bellow who are exposed to sexual abuse are more vulnerable to teenage pregnancy, increased rate of sexually transmitted diseases, have high rates of multiple sex partnerships and remained more vulnerable to further rape and sexual assault (pg.50-55).

Conclusion

In summary child abuse is a very serious issue that is associated with a lot of negatives in children. Child abuse deteriorates the Childs trust and love o f the abuser leading to lifelong hatred or depression. Child abuse is a vise which must be condemned and all the abusers prosecuted and punished heavily. Child abuse as observed tampers with the child self esteem, self worth and development more so it causes mental health problems which might be fatal. Everybody should join hands with the government and private bodies that condemn child abuse to completely eliminate the vise from the society (English, Widom, & Brandford, 2004,pg 23-24)

Works cited

Dubowitz, H., & Bennett, S. “Physical abuse and neglect in children”. The Lancet, 369, 1891- 1899. 2007.

English, D., Widom, C., & Brandford, C “Another look at the effects of child abuse”. National Institute of Justice Journal, 251, 23-24, 2004.

Higgins, D. “Differentiating between child maltreatment experiences”. Family Matters, 69, 50-55, 2004.