Affects Of Child Abuse

[ Previous Page ]     [ Next Page ]        Page:

Years of research, including Fordham University's highly respected "Index of Social Health for Children and Youth," document the multitude of social and personal circumstances that can paralyze a child's ability to learn. High among them is childhood (word deleted) abuse, a core problem that leaves its young victims at much greater risk of learning and behavior problems, poor reading scores, low IQ, and school drop-out, as well as related multiple high-risk behaviors like substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and prostitution.

In our quest for long range educational improvement, it is vitally important that we make every effort to prevent (word deleted) abuse and its proven harmful effect on the ability of children to learn. Those who are skeptical of this premise may want to ponder why 4th grade American students rank near the top in worldwide test results, but have dropped to nearly last place by 12th grade. Could there be a correlation between that academic decline and the fact that 57% of (word deleted) assaults occur to children between the ages of ten and twelve? (Roughly 4th-6th grade.)

Research aside, common sense dictates that a child who has been victimized will find concentrating on the three R's a difficult task. Why then hasn't (word deleted) abuse prevention entered into the discourse on educational reform? It is human nature to avoid distressing problems, and what could be more disturbing than the (word deleted) betrayal of innocent children? Consequently, the issue remains hidden behind a curtain of national denial, virtually erased from the national conscience. Meanwhile, the number of victims continues to rise.

For generations, government, schools, communities and parents alike have taken a woefully inadequate approach to preventing these crimes. Since at least the l920's, there's been an emphasis on well-meaning but misguided advice based on the "Never Talk to Strangers" doctrine and "The Buddy System." But in the real world, these meager hand-me-down approaches with their cut and paste ideas are so superficial and outdated that they prevent little. In fact, they are dangerously flawed when applied to just about any situation that endangers a child's life or innocence.

Educational reform that does not include relevant and comprehensive (word deleted) abuse prevention efforts will prove sorely inadequate. As we know all too well, any problem left unattended can fester and compound into a more serious problem. As President Bush said in his Inaugural Address:
"We must show courage in a time of blessing, by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations..."
If America desires long-term educational reform, we must finally confront every parent's worst nightmare, rather than passing it on to yet another generation. Without strong advocacy for the personal safety of all children, the issue of childhood (word deleted) exploitation will persist as a major roadblock in achieving significant improvements in American education. Only by confronting and addressing the (word deleted) betrayal of our children can educational advancement begin to resonate in schools across the American landscape.

The window of opportunity is open for educational reform. The question is, will that window be opened wide enough to shed enlightenment through the dark curtain of denial? History will judge."
- Kenneth Wooden

CHILDHOOD ABUSE LEADS TO INABILITY TO FORM HEALTHY ADULT RELATIONSHIPS

Another long-term affect of childhood abuse is the inability to form healthy adult relationships. A person who has experienced abuse often has a deep need to be "needed." Unfortunately, this leaves them vulnerable to co-dependent relationships. They tend to be attracted to "helping" people who need them; particularly those who are people "users." Adult victims of child abuse can tend to thrive on the apparent love and appreciation of those they are helping and not realize that the one they are helping is demanding far more than is healthy in the relationship.

This can be hard to recognize for the adult victim of child abuse because they may genuinely believe they are doing a good thing in helping and sacrificing for someone else. But when one person demands an inordinate amount of the time and attention of someone else, this is out of balance. Also the "user" may demand (or manipulate through guilt, condemnation or inordinate praise) that the "helper" conform to their views on everything from politics, to religion, to how to decorate their home, to what to eat for dinner. This is a relationship that is out of balance and unhealthy.

[ Previous Page ]     [ Next Page ]        Page:

This page has been displayed 14 times this month, 1617 times since January 2, 2005 .