NCJ Number
57658
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSUMPTION OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOCIETAL INTERVENTION INTO CHILD ABUSE CASES IS ADVOCATED IN THIS ARTICLE. NEW RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS AND CITIZENS ARE STUDIED.
Abstract
THE DEBATE ON CHILD ABUSE SHOULD BE OPENED UP TO INCLUDE THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IN THIS WAY, ONE CAN ACHIEVE A REDEFINITION OF THE ROLES WHICH VARIOUS GROUPS IN SOCIETY CAN PERFORM. THIS SHOULD RESULT IN AN AWARENESS THAT CHILD ABUSE IS REFLECTIVE OF A SOCIETY RACKED BY CONTRADICTION AND CONFLICTING FORCES. UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHILD ABUSE PROBLEM CAN BE ACHIEVED BY CONSIDERING ABUSE TO BE A CONTINUUM THAT STRETCHES FROM MENTAL CRUELTY AT ONE END OF SEVERE NEGLECT AT THE OTHER. SECONDLY, AREAS WITH HIGH INCIDENCES OF CHILD ABUSE SHOULD BE STUDIED TO DETERMINE THE FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR SUCH HIGH RATES AND HOW THESE PRESSURES CAN BE DEALT WITH. FINALLY, ATTENTION MUST BE FOCUSED ON THE WIDE VARIETY OF FAMILY PATTERNS EXISTING IN TODAY'S SOCIETY. THE POWERFUL ELITE, ESPECIALLY THE PROFESSIONAL CLASS, CONTROLLING SOCIETY MUST FIND WAYS OF RETURNING MEANINGFUL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN. WHILE PROFESSIONALS POSSESS GENUINE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERTISE, THEIR OBSESSION WITH HIERARCHY AND RIGID ROLE DEFINITION BLOCKS THE SHARING OF THEIR EXPERTISE WITH THE COMMUNITY. EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO DEVELOP FULL WORKING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROFESSIONALS. THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE AND MUST BE ACCEPTED. (KCP)