Thoughts From the Human Rights Perspective

• NCJ Number: 165333
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1997) Pages: 117-123
• Author(s): M Marzouki
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Henry Kempe Memorial Lecture, 11th International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect.

Annotation

This address discusses the relationships between child abuse and family dysfunction as well as between family dysfunction and the economic, social, and political climate in which families must live.

Abstract

Child abuse and neglect, like all the other child's rights violations, is the result of the complex and unpredictable interactions of individual, family, and social risk factors. It has been well documented in the scientific literature that the characteristics of the child cannot by themselves lead to child's rights violations. Research also shows that the structure of the family, its cohesion, communication, and coping are the most efficient protective factors of the child's well-being. The family circumstances and its ability to be protective of the children, however, are based in various environmental factors that determine the families' economic and social conditions. Unfortunately, the major trend in coming years is for many nations to reflect the new world economic disorder. Extreme poverty has been and is still the main disruptive factor for families throughout the world. Those families that will suffer the most are in developing countries with a market economy philosophy. In such countries, families will be abandoned to their fate, and the output in child work, child prostitution, and children's diseases will be disastrous. Professionals who are committed to the implementation of children's rights must work on three complementary levels: restoration, protection, and promotion. Restoration involves dealing with specific children in specific situations with specific needs. Activating the inner resources of specific families and increasing their capacity to deal with a dangerous and unstable world through prevention programs is the protective effort. The third responsibility is to promote basic families' and children's rights through child care facilities, social support systems, legislation, and sectional policies.