Approximately 1,760 children died from child abuse and neglect in 2007, according to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. Although identifying the causes of child abuse can be difficult, abusers typically exhibit similar traits and factors. No single causal factor exists when it comes to child abuse, though many common factors have been identified through repeated studies.
Abuser Traits
When people abuse a child, numerous factors can be present that cause the abusive behavior, not all of which are known or understood, according to Prevent Child Abuse New York. Typically, however, abusers show similar traits. These include experiencing stress related to child care, work, economic hardship substance abuse problems. These traits tend to compromise the abuser's ability to control their emotions during times of stress and hardship, which can lead to abuse. Further, these traits can exist in any kind of household, regardless of ethnicity, social position or economic status.
Abuser History Factors
People who abuse children often share similar histories. Although many people believe child abusers are rare or pathological, this is not generally true. Many child abusers experienced abuse as children, according to professor Karen Polonko of Old Dominion University. These people went on to experience the harmful effects of abuse that typically go untreated. They effectively learned, on an emotional and instinctual level, that child abuse was the normal way in which adults and children interact, and go on to abuse their own children.
Environmental Factors
While individual child abuse incidents can happen at any time, abusive environments also share similar characteristics. According to a study from the Family Violence Prevention Fund, social isolation is present in many families whee child abuse is present. And although low-income and low-education households also have higher rates of child abuse, this isn't always the case. In communities where there is a high level of social cohesion, such as small communities where everyone knows each other and experience high levels of social trust and common values, child abuse rates are lower even in low-income and low-education level families.
References
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions
- MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse: Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Youth Violence:Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse: Strategies for Prevention and Early Intervention
- PennState Children's Hospital: Child Physical Abuse
- Prevent Child Abuse New York: General Causes & Risk Factors for Child Abuse
- Old Dominion University: Child Abuse and Neglect: The Need for Courage; Karen Polonko
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