Also if the existence of several injuries in different stages of healing makes it obvious they did not happen as a result of one accident. A consistently withdrawn or aggressive child, one who complains of soreness, or wears inappropriate clothing for the weather, or even a child who is a chronic runaway, may be behavioral indicators of a victim.
There is no complete or set definition of the abuse of children. Extreme cases are easy to recognize, but what about the less severe ones? Is spanking abuse, or is it abuse or only when the belt that is used leaves welts? What if the marks fade in a few hours? Society views each case differently. The definition cannot only include the type of abuse that leaves physical marks, but also extend to include the intention to do harm.
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While corporal punishment is not considered child abuse, many child developmental and child welfare professionals believe that spanking,.
hitting or slapping is not effective as a form of punishment and is .
demanding of the child's self-esteem. Once physical methods of .
discipline are put into practice they can escalate into physical abuse if .
the frequency and the severity are increased. Additionally, many experts.
argue that physical punishment is not only ineffective as a long-term .
discipline method, it also teaches unwelcome lessons such as violence .
is a way to solve problems or fear is a good way to motivate obedience.
Disciplinary methods such as time-out, loss of privileges and parental.
disappointment can be more effective and consistent in teaching children.
how to replace undesirable behavior with acceptable behavior. No child.
deserves to be hit for any reason (American Humane Association, 2).
Child neglect is the most commonly reported form of maltreatment to the CPS, about 55 percent of the estimated substantiated cases according to the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.
