NCJ Number
46048
Date Published
1975
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE LACK OF PARENTAL WARMTH AND APPRECIATION IN THEIR OWN CHILDHOOD IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CAUSE OF PARENTAL ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR; THERAPY WHICH HELPS TO MEET THE UNFULFILLED NEEDS OF ABUSIVE PARENTS IS SUGGESTED.
Abstract
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THOSE WHO WORK WITH PARENTS TO REACH THERAPEUTIC GOALS NOT BE THE SAME PERSONS WHO DELVED INTO THE FAMILY SITUATION TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT. MISTRUST, DEFENSIVENESS, AND A PREFERENCE FOR ISOLATION ARE VIEWED AS DOMINATING CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSIVE PARENTS, THUS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR A THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP TO EVOLVE. A NONJUDGEMENTAL STANCE TOWARD ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR, TOGETHER WITH AN EMPATHY FOR THE PAIN AND FRUSTRATION UNDERLYING SUCH BEHAVIOR IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL TO WORK SUCCESSFULLY WITH ABUSIVE PARENTS. THE THERAPIST, THROUGH HIS PERSONALITY AND SKILL, SHOULD COMMUNICATE TO THE PARENTS THE WARMTH AND APPRECIATION OF THEIR WORTH THAT IS MOST LIKELY TO RELIEVE THE AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE DIRECTED TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN. BECAUSE OF STRONG, SOMETIMES HIDDEN, DEPENDENCY CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSIVE PARENTS, WORKERS ARE TOLD TO BE PREPARED TO DEVOTE A GREAT DEAL OF TIME TO WORKING WITH THEM, WITH A WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS AND EMERGENCY CONTACTS OUTSIDE OF REGULAR OFFICE HOURS. BECAUSE OF THIS, IT IS CONSIDERED ADVISABLE THAT MORE THAN ONE PERSON WORK WITH EACH FAMILY. GIVEN THE FOREGOING CHARACTERISTICS AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR WORKING WITH ABUSIVE PARENTS. TI IS BELIEVED THAT PEOPLE FROM MANY DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES AND WALKS OF LIFE USING MANY DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES CAN HELP BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE IN ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR. HOWEVER, SPECIAL TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IN A SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL OR PARAPROFESSIONAL FIELD ARE CONSIDERED INVALUABLE ASSESTS. (RCB)