NCJ Number
64427
Journal
Social Work Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 122-126
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
STRATEGIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MISTREATED ADOLESCENTS ARE OFFERED IN THIS ARTICLE WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER THE FACTUAL INFORMATION AND THEORIES ABOUT ADOLESCENT ABUSE AND SUGGESTS STEPS CONCERNED PERSONS CAN TAKE.
Abstract
IN THIS ARTICLE, THE DEFINITION OF MISTREATMENT INCLUDES PHYSICAL ASSAULT, COERCIVE SEXUAL RELATIONS, AND REJECTION. THE MISTREATMENT OF ADOLESCENTS IS VIEWED AS A PROBLEM ENDEMIC TO THE INSTITUTIONAL AND CULTURAL STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN LIFE. PATTERNS OF ABUSE CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: MISTREATMENT THAT BEGINS WITH THE ONSET OF PUBERTY; THAT REPRESENTS A CHANGE IN THE QUALITY OF FORM OF PUNISHMENT; THAT IS PRESENT ONLY WHEN THE CHILD IS IN THE 'TERRIBLE TWO'S' AND RECURS IN ADOLESCENCE; AND THAT CONTINUES A PATTERN OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE. APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF ABUSE CASES REPORTED TO STATE CENTRAL REGISTRIES ARE ADOLESCENTS, AND ADOLESCENT MISTREATMENT IS ABOUT AS PREVALENT IN AFFLUENT AREAS AS IN IMPOVERISHED AREAS. STUDIES OF ADOLESCENTS WHO MURDER THEIR PARENTS OFTEN REVEAL A HISTORY OF SERIOUS ABUSE IN THE YOUTH'S BACKGROUND. ABUSIVE FAMILIES ISOLATE THE ABUSED ADOLESCENTS FROM OUTSIDE RELATIONSHIPS, OFTEN LEAD TO INSTITUTIONAL CARE FOR THE ABUSED YOUTHS, OR TO RUNAWAY BEHAVIOR, ILLICIT DRUG-TAKING, AND VAGRANCY. NETWORKS OF SERVICES SUCH AS YOUTH HOTLINES AND COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH-SERVING AGENCIES ARE NEEDED, AS WELL AS EDUCATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL IN HELPING TO IDENTIFY, PREVENT, AND TREAT ABUSE AND NEGLECT. TWENTY-FOUR REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.