NCJ Number
67229
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 59 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 269-275
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
UNREALISTIC DEMANDS AND EMOTIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON BOYS CREATE A SOCIAL CLIMATE THAT PREVENTS THEM FROM MAKING DISCLOSURES WHEN THEY ARE INCEST VICTIMS.
Abstract
THE SACRAMENTO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM WAS DESIGNED AS A GROUP THERAPY EXPERIENCE FOR ADOLESCENT MALE INCEST VICTIMS. ALL OF THE BOYS IN THE GROUP WERE SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A RELATIVE, WERE COURT DEPENDENTS UNDER THE PROTECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE JUVENILE COURT, AND WERE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 17. THE GROUP MET ONCE A WEEK FOR 1.5-HOUR SESSIONS, OVER 22 MONTHS. MOST OF THE BOYS WERE EXTREMELY RESISTANT TO DISCUSS THEIR MOLESTATION EXPERIENCES. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE BOYS' DIFFICULTY IN REPORTING AND DISCUSSING THEIR VICTIMIZATION ARE FOUND IN THE AMERICAN DEFINITION OF MASCULINITY (MALES MUST PROTECT THEMSELVES AND MUST REACT AGGRESSIVELY, EXCEPT WHEN FEMALES PHYSICALLY ABUSE THEM, IN WHICH CASE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO BE PASSIVE). PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC OFTEN REACT WITH DISBELIEF TO THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOYS BY ADULT FEMALES. HOWEVER, CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE EFFECTS OF SEDUCTION OF A MALE CHILD BY HIS MOTHER, MOTHER SURROGATE, OR OTHER SIGNIFICANT ADULT FEMALE INDICATE THAT SUCH AN EXPERIENCE HAS LONG-RANGE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE BOYS' PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. AMONG THESE ARE THAT (1) RAPISTS ARE OFTEN FOUND TO HAVE HAD SEXUAL OR SEXUALIZED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR MOTHERS, (2) INCESTUOUS FATHERS ARE OFTEN FOUND TO HAVE HAD STIMULATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR MOTHERS, AND (3) SOME HOMOSEXUALS ARE SAID TO HAVE CHOSEN HOMOSEXUALITY AS A DEFENSE AGAINST THEIR SEXUAL FEELINGS FOR A SEDUCTIVE MOTHER. THUS, SOCIETY NEEDS TO REEXAMINE ITS ROLE EXPECTATIONS OF MALE CHILDREN. PROFESSIONALS MUST EXPLORE WAYS TO FACILITATE MALE DISCLOSURE OF SEXUAL ABUSE, AND THE PUBLIC MUST BE MADE MORE AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF CURRENT SOCIALIZATION PATTERNS FOR MALES. SIX REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.