Tag Archives: child abuse

Don’t Dismiss the Elderly

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on December 8, 2011 4:27 pm

Don’t dismiss the positive effect that the elderly can have on the life of a child.  According to the United Nations, the statistical number of the elderly will surpass the number of the young by the year of 2050.   The United Nations’ explanation is that it is due to the “increases in the proportions of older person (60 years or older) are… accompanied by declines in the proportions of the young (under age 15)…” (United Nations, 2011, Online)

 Elder Abuse is Reflective of Child Abuse

In our ever changing and rapidly aging population, seniors are going to become the primary voice of our society.  Thus, senior abuse and senior neglect on are the rise.   Reflectively, the number of child abuse cases have increased during this Great Recession.  Why is there a sudden rise in the number of reported cases of child abuse? A recent study lead by Dr. Rachel Berger of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh looked at the rise of shaken baby cases and other forms of brain-injuring. The research findings have been staggering.  During the span of this five year research study the researchers found direct correlation of the number of abuse victims in association with poverty and job instability in the home.   The sagging economy and the inability to find work has lead to a toxic environment in the nucleus home. 

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

What are the Effects of Verbal Abuse on Children?

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on August 16, 2011 8:36 am

What are the effects of verbal abuse on children? How am I defining verbal abuse? Verbal abuse is any aggressive behavior that occurs through human communication. Such behaviors include: belittling, swearing, name-calling, negatively criticizing, threatening, ordering, and the undermining of a person’s integrity.  The intent of verbal abuse is often to prove rude, offensive, disparaging, defamatory, slanderous, and scornful.  It’s overall intent is often to degrade the soul and mind of the individual to such a degree that they are without an ability to retaliate. 

As a therapist, I have heard all types of excuses why verbal abuse is acceptable. Parents have tried blaming their child’s behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions as being the catalyst of their own negative behavior. It is not uncommon to witness a parent deflect, but it is rare to hear a defensive parent accept responsibility.  Moreover, we all know that many parental behaviors are learned behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions.  Parents have learned from watching and witnessing their own parents, teachers, and others who played a significant roles in their life. 

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA