Children are any nation's most precious asset. Inside each child is the promise of a future that will be bright and sunny, or a future which perpetuates abuse, neglect, and violence toward others. Parents need to remember that they are teaching their own children how to raise future generations of kids through the way they parent today.
Parents need to take necessary measures to prevent this trend from increasing even more especially when there may be a substantial loss of income or job loss. Parents can really feel the stress when money is tight or when there is no future prospects for employment or income.
Child Abuse Cases Almost Double in Just Two Years
According to a May 3, 2010 article by Liz Szabo in USA Today titled, "Recession linked to increase in shaken baby syndrome," the recession may be provoking an increase in the deadliest form of child abuse." The increased numbers are based on the findings of a study that found that since the economy tanked back in 2007-2008, the rate of shaken baby syndrome has almost doubled.
Shaken baby syndrome is severe head trauma brought on by child abuse. Some doctors and child abuse prevention groups want the name changed to abusive head trauma in order to relate the serious nature of this problem. Stephen Messner, M.D., F.A.A.P, pediatrician with the Child Protection Team at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta says he has seen a recent dramatic increase in the number of infants admitted to the hospital as a result of child abuse.
Economic Hard Times Lead to Increased Child Abuse
In an April 24, 2010 FresnoBee.com article titled "Abuse cases push Fresno Co. CPS to limit," Brad Brennan tells the story of social workers who have received a record number of crisis calls alleging child abuse or neglect in that county last year. One incident involves the child abuse death of a little girl just a year old.
The increase in that particular California county had far exceeded the four percent statewide increase in child abuse reports. The report states that the increase in Fresno County is directly related to the recent economic downturn. Currently, case workers can handle the increase in child abuse incidents, but that may change with budget cuts expected next year.
Preventing Child Abuse Means Getting Help
Child abuse and neglect is always wrong no matter the circumstances. It's one of those absolutes in life that no person can challenge. People are stressed out these days with all the hard economic times because they are losing jobs, incomes, and some are even losing their family. But it doesn't have to be that way.
As with most hard times, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and these tough times will not last forever. In the times of difficulty, it's critical to remember to step back and look at the big picture, Child abuse and neglect is only going to make the current situation worse, and it's teaching kids to grow up and practice child abuse. There is no good that comes form this.
Everyone needs to go for help at one time or another. Maybe this is that time to seek professional help. There are many resources for preventing child abuse. Prevent ChildAbuse,org has some good resources for getting help. Call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD if you need help. Don't respond to a stressful situation by abusing a child. The future depends on one's response.
Sources:
FresnoBee.com; Abuse case push Fresno Co. CPS to limit (accessed May 18, 2010)
USAToday.com; Recession linked to increase in shaken baby syndrome (accessed May 18, 2010)
Mark Oehlert - Mark has 50 years life experience (wisdom comes with age, right?) and over 28 years experience writing copy for ads, articles, marketing ...
Join the Conversation