NCJ Number
52325
Journal
LEARNING Volume: 4 Issue: 8 Dated: (APRIL 1976) Pages: 14-22
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
FLAWS IN THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE ARE POINTED OUT, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS UNDER THE MODEL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ACT.
Abstract
THE ABUSE-REPORTING PROVISIONS OF THE MODEL ACT ARE REVIEWED, AND IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE ACT, TOGETHER WITH THE GROWING CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, CONSTITUTES POSSIBLY THE MOST EXTENSIVE INTERVENTION INTO FAMILY LIFE EVER SEEN IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS FURTHER ASSERTED THAT A SOCIAL PROGRAM WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS--SAVING BATTERED CHILDREN FROM TRULY PSYCHOPATHIC OR INCOMPETENT PARENTS AND RECLAIMING THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL OF FAMILIES--HAS BECOME A 'GLAMOUR INDUSTRY,' IN WHICH RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS VIE FOR PUBLIC FUNDS WHILE CIVIL LIBERTIES AND FAMILY AUTONOMY ARE THREATENED. THE SITUATION IS ATTRIBUTED TO SEVERAL MYTHS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE: THE IDEA THAT THE CHILD ABUSER IS A PATHOLOGICAL MISFIT IN A CULTURE THAT GENERALLY TREATS CHILDREN VERY WELL, THE MORE CURRENT IDEA THAT EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL ABUSER AND THAT THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE CONSTITUTES AN EPIDEMIC, THE IDEA THAT ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE READILY RECOGNIZABLE, AND THE BELIEF THAT BENEFICIAL AND SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL INTERVENTION WILL AUTOMATICALLY FOLLOW WHENEVER CHILD ABUSE IS IDENTIFIED. EVIDENCE THAT THESE IDEAS ARE, INDEED, MYTHS IS CITED. THE POSSIBLITY IS RAISED THAT THE CHILDREN WHO REALLY ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO ABUSE MAY BE 'LOST IN THE SHUFFLE' AS ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE SERVICE TO FAMILIES WHO ARE IN ANY WAY DELINQUENT OR DEVIANT IN THEIR CHILD-REARING PRACTICES. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT FEW TEACHERS HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO DO MORE THAN GUESS WHETHER A TRUANT, SHABBILY DRESSED, REBELLIOUS, OR WITHDRAWN CHILD IS AN ABUSED CHILD, AND THAT FEW SOCIAL WORKERS ASSIGNED TO INTERVENE IN SUCH CASES CAN DO MORE THAN PERFORM HOLDING OPERATIONS. TEACHERS ARE URGED TO DEMAND NARROWLY FOCUSED ABUSE REPORTING LAW, TO FIGHT FOR VOLUNTARY CHILD WELFARE SERVICES, AND TO HELP PROMOTE SOCIAL POLICIES TO ASSURE THAT NO CHILDREN GO HUNGRY, ILL-CLOTHED, OR POORLY HOUSED, AND THAN NO PARENTS MUST LIVE UNDER STRESSES THAT TURN THEM AGAINST THEIR CHILDREN. (LKM)