Child abuse, no matter whether it is physical or emotional, creates a very deep wound. Children who are victims of child abuse feel lonely, worthless, unloved and scared. Have a quick look at the reasons behind child abuse and its effects on children.Child abuse is one of the most talked about topics and matters of concern these days. One of the most important points that all should note down is that child abuse is not just physical violence. It includes emotional abuse and neglect which leaves scars and these children lack healthy psychological and social development.
Studies show that child abuse occurs because parents are unable to cope with their stress level in life. The surprising fact is that child abuse is not limited to a specific society, but it has crossed social, financial and ethnic boundaries nowadays. Here are some causes behind child abuse to help you understand how you can prevent it.
Why Does Child Abuse Happen?
Although there is no specific cause behind
child abuse, some of the most common reasons are discussed here.
1. Lack of Education and Understanding
Recent survey of people has shown that many people do not know the exact consequences of the problem of child abuse. In fact, the consequences vary from suffering from individual psychological problems to having low self-esteem in the victim. Since most child abuse cases are not registered, they are considered as accepted methods of disciplining or punishing children. This leads to
child’s safety issues also at times.
2. Parents’ Background
Usually those adults who suffered abuse or neglect in their childhood abuse their own children. There are two reasons behind this – parents do not know that the method used is not right for proper development of children or they do it because they have gone through the same trauma. It is important to educate yourself and learn about the long term effects these
methods of parenting leaves on an individual’s mind. There are classes held that teach parents to deal with parental stress that happens while raising children.
3. Very High Expectations From Children
Some parents have unrealistic expectations from their kids. These parents are usually immature and lack understanding of the child’s developmental stages or behaviour. These parents start deciding what their children should achieve and this leads them to become harsh. They forget the actual amount of love, attention and care that the kids need for proper and overall development.
4. Isolation of the Families
Parenting is stressing and parents who lack support from families and friends are more likely to abuse their children. When there is no one, partner, family members or friends to support and help with the demands of parenting, parents unknowingly get into the progression of child abuse.
5. Stress
There are different kinds of stress in life. Some parents find it very difficult to handle financial pressures, medical problems, unemployment, taking care of a disabled family member or similar problem. The problems increase stress level and overwhelm parents which often results on child abuse of one form or another.
6. Alcohol and Drug Problem
Parents who are addicted to alcohol or illicit drugs often leave their children in unsafe environments. Most often these parents also turn to violence against their children or partners. Drugs and alcohol causes people to lose control over their senses and this leads them to abuse or neglect their children.
7. Physical or Emotional Disorders
Parents who suffer from any serious medical problem are more likely to take refuge to child abuse in order to raise children. This is more with the parents suffering from depression, anxiety disorder or any other mental illness. Usually, these people find difficulty caring themselves and so caring for a child becomes additional burden for them. These people either neglect their children or become prone to physical violence.
Effects of Child Abuse
Let us take a look at some harmful effects of child abuse.
Physical Effects
Physical abuse results in injuries which are one of the most noticeable effects of abuse. Even if physical injuries are minor, they leave much deeper psychological effects in the form of pain and suffering. Sometimes injuries may also lead to permanent or recurring health problem. Children who are victims of physical abuse are more likely to suffer from asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, high blood pressure and ulcers when they grow up.
Psychological Effects
Children who suffer from abuse in childhood feel lonely, isolated, fearful, worthless and untrusting. Usually, the psychological effects of child abuse are long lasting and they result in lifelong consequences like low self-esteem, depression and relationship problems in the suffering child. Some of the problems like depression, eating disorder, sleeping problems, anxiety, suicidal tendency, panic disorder, attention deficit along with language difficulty and academic problems are found in victims of child abuse.
Behavioural Effects
Child abuse leads to teen pregnancies, drug problems in teens and many criminal behaviour problems. Most of the people who suffer from child abuse treat their children in the same or even harsh manner themselves.
Both men and women are responsible for physical and
emotional abuse as well as neglect. The parent who spends more time with the child is often the main guilty party. Studies have shown that majority of the child abuse cases are from inside the homes rather than from strangers.
It is time for parents to educate themselves about the facts and consequences of their parenting methods of children. In extreme cases, parents should discuss changes in child’s behaviour with professionals.
What are the causes of child abuse? How to avoid abusing children? What are the harmful effects of child abuse? Discuss here.
