Child Abuse, Crisis in America
In America, child abuse is growing at epidemic proportions and has increased at the rate of 114.3% from 1.4 million cases in 1986 to 3 million cases in 1997 (Califano). Although society is aware of this tragic problem, little has been done to remedy the situation. In fact, American males spend more money on cosmetic improvements such as hairpieces, make-up, and surgery than is currently being spent on programs for battered and neglected children (Califano). The time has come to put an end to this horrifying plague attacking America's youth. Child abuse can be categorized into four different areas: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and neglect. Victims of physical abuse suffer injuries that range in seriousness from bruises to broken bones, all a result of this heinous crime. Emotional abuse is perhaps the most difficult to detect yet often causes the most disabling and lasting injury making the child to feel unloved, unworthy, and often enraged (Morales). Sexual abuse may be inflicted upon children of all ages as they are forced to participate in unwanted sexual activity. Neglected children are those who are abandoned or left alone for long periods of time or those who do not r
Faull, Jan. "Child Abuse Today.aE? Better Homes and Gardens. March 1998: 94. Alexander, Ames. "Kids' Troubles Multiply.aE? Charlotte Observer. 30 May 1999: 1A+. Geier, Thom. "Young and Abused.aE? U.S. News and World Report. 30 Sept. 1996: 24. Statistical Handbook on American Family. Phoenix, AZ: Onyx Press, 1998: 274. Though child abuse may seem difficult to overcome, there are many remedies that can minimize the harmful effects. The present system currently being used, which includes the Child Abuse Reporting Law, the "watchful eyeaE? of the community over families who are abusing their young, and the removal of children from abusive households, has proven to be limited and often ineffective in fighting child abuse (Morales). Along with the advances in our technology have come a statewide computerized tracking system for substantiated child abuse and neglect cases and hot lines that mistreated children can call for emotional support and advice (White/Quanto). Placement in foster homes, family preservation programs, and home visitation have helped improve the environment of these disadvantaged youth and kept the problem from escalating too rapidly (Edmonds). President Clinton determined that the process of punishing the abusers should be changed to put more perpetrators in prison rather than into treatment, which does relatively little to help the children (Califano). Additionally, community organizations must create family centers to be a resource for parents of children of all ages. These centers would provide a variety of programs such as information on parenting, babysitting services and support groups, all of which will lay a foundation for the prevention of child abuse (Morales). Hwang, Mi. "Protecting our children from child abuse.aE? Journal of the American Edmonds, Patricia. "Child Abuse: growing problem in the USA.aE? USA Today.
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Approximate Word count = 1385
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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