Those factors can be grouped into categories relating to the parents, Child and family environment. Abuse and neglect happens in all socio-economic, religious and ethnic groups. It is important to note that the presence of one or even numerous risk factors does not mean that an individual will abuse his or her children. Every person and family situation is different.
some of the causes of child abuse include the following: background of emotional deprivation, unwanted pregnancy, cycle of violence (parents who were abused children themselves often end up abusing their own children), isolation and lack of support, poverty, problems in the marriage, unrealistic expectations, weak bond between mother and child, teen parenthood, unemployment or financial stress, domestic violence, and alcohol/or substance abuse (3).
What are the signs of child abuse? The signs of child abuse include the following: unexplained injuries, depression, fear of certain adults, difficulty trusting others or making friends, sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor hygiene, secrecy, and hostility. .
What are the consequences of child abuse? Child abuse can have the following consequences: it will encourage your child to lie, resent, fear, and retaliate, instead of loving, trusting, and listening; child abuse will alienate your child from you and the rest of your family and make him a recluse; it will lower your child's self-esteem, and affect your child's psychological development and ability to behave normally outside his home; when your child grows up, your child could probably carry on the family tradition, and abuse your grandchildren; your child may exclude you from his adult life. For example, you might not be invited to your child's wedding, or not be allowed any contact or relationship with your grandchildren (4).
How can we prevent child abuse? Preventing child abuse from happening in the first place is the best solution to all forms of child abuse.
