Olivia Stinson
EN101-23
Professor Kerr
October 18, 2011
The Effects of Child Abuse
One-third of abused and neglected children with later abuse their own children (Child). There are several outcomes for children experiencing abuse. Children may have academic difficulties, aggressive behavior, anxiety, attention problems, chronic pain, eating disorders, and panic attacks (Child). Children cannot make sense of it when they are first introduced to abuse. They can develop a range of issues, which can have consequences on their adult lives when subjected to physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect (Child).
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a very common form of physical child abuse (Child). It can leave the victim with very serious injuries and most of the time it is not noticeable (Effects). There can be damage to the spinal cord and neck, rid or bone fractures, and bleeding in the eye or brain (Child). Child abuse victims may also have impaired brain development and poor physical health (Child). In some cases child abuse and neglect can cause important regions of the brain to fail to grow properly (Child). These difficulties in brain maturation have consequences for academic abilities (Child). Adults who experienced abuse during childhood are more likely to suffer from physical ailments such as allergies, asthma, high blood pressure, and arthritis (Effects).
In one long term study, as many as 80% of young adults who had been abused as children met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at age 21 (Patricelli). These adults displayed many issues including depression, eating disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress (Patricelli). Children under three years of age who experienced emotional abuse often had low self-esteem, depression, and withdrawal symptoms (Child). Children placed in out-of-home care due to abuse tended to score lower than the general population in language development and cognitive capacity (Child).
Neglect victims end up having difficulties during adolescence (Effects). Studies have found the victims to be at least 25% more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, drug use, and mental health problems (Effects). A National Institute of Justice study suggested neglected children were 11 times more likely to be arrested for criminal behavior as a juvenile, 3.1 times more likely to be arrested for one of many forms of violent crime (juvenile or adult) and 2.7 times more likely to be arrested for violent/criminal behavior as an adult (Child). A study shown from the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that as many as two-thirds of people in drug treatment programs reported being abused as children (Child). There is an increased likelihood that neglected children will smoke cigarettes, take illicit drugs, or abuse alcohol during their lifetime (Child).
“I too had to find the courage inside myself. I had to face my fears and deal with the emotions that overcame me” (Barrier). Darlene is the author of the book “From Victim to Victory.” She was emotionally abused as a child and had problems with her weight (Barrier). She also fell victim to anorexia and bulimia (Barrier). However, she pulled through was able to get the help she needed, and is now helping kids who are dealing with the same problems as a certified psychiatrist and counselor (Barrier). When a child is abused at a young age the impact of it is so much greater (Effects). Depending on the severity and duration of the abuse it could completely take over a person’s life, and the consequences could stay with them forever (Effects). Although children go through an incredibly challenging and hard time when subjected to abuse, there is always hope. Programs and organizations around the world are helping raise awareness about child abuse and bring the awful things children go through on an every day basis, out of the dark and into the light. “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of overcoming it” (Keller).
Works Cited
Barrier, Darlene. “From Victim to Victory, a memoir” Online novel. 2005. 18 October 2011.
Child Welfare Information Gateway. “Long term Consequences of Child abuse and Neglect” Website. 2008. 18 October 2011.
Effects of Child Abuse on Children. “Abuse in General” Website. 1996. 18 October 2011.
Keller, Helen “Child Abuse Quotes” Website. 2008. 18 October 2011.
Patricelli, Kathryn “Effects of Abuse” Online Article. 2005. 18 October 2011. http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8480&cn=2
good job!! you had a great amount of detail! good quotes!!
ReplyDelete1. thesis statement is well defined
ReplyDelete2. the quotes are at the end of the essay. Not sure if this a good integration.
3. the quotes are introduced