Dealing with Child Abuse and Neglect As Public Health Problems : Prevention and the Role of Juvenile Ageism

This thought-provoking volume defines child abuse and neglect as a public health crisis, both in terms of injuries and mental health problems and as a link to poverty and other negative social outcomes. The author identifies key factors contributing to this situation—in particular juvenile ageism, the pervasive othering of children and youth—coupled with the assumption of parental competence until severe abuse or neglect proves otherwise. The book’s practical answers to these complex issues involve recognizing and balancing the rights of parents and children, and responding to the diverse needs of new, competent, and dysfunctional families. To this end, a comprehensive prevention model is outlined, featuring primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions. Included in the coverage: • Child abuse and neglect in the United States • The impact of juvenile ageism on individuals • The devaluation of parenthood • The rights and needs of newborn babies and young children • Overcoming our crisis-recoil response • Barriers to change and hope for the future __Dealing with Child Abuse and Neglect as Public Health Problems__ should engage professionals in the public health, healthcare, and social services sectors. It should also attract parents in struggling families as well as other laypersons, such as policymakers and child advocates, interested in improving current social conditions. "This thought-provoking volume defines child abuse and neglect as a public health crisis, both in terms of injuries and mental health problems and as a link to poverty and other negative social outcomes. The author identifies key factors contributing to this situation--in particular juvenile ageism, the pervasive othering of children and youth--coupled with the assumption of parental competence until severe abuse or neglect proves otherwise. The book's practical answers to these complex issues involve recognizing and balancing the rights of parents and children, and responding to the diverse needs of new, competent, and dysfunctional families. To this end, a comprehensive prevention model is outlined, featuring primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions. Included in the coverage: • Child abuse and neglect in the United States • The impact of juvenile ageism on individuals • The devaluation of parenthood • The rights and needs of newborn babies and young children • Overcoming our crisis-recoil response • Barriers to change and hope for the future Dealing with Child Abuse and Neglect as Public Health Problems should engage professionals in the public health, healthcare, and social services sectors. It should also attract parents in struggling families as well as other laypersons, such as policymakers and child advocates, interested in improving current social conditions. ." -- Prové de l'editor Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Introduction (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 1-4 How Are Children in the United States Doing? (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 5-25 Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 27-30 Child Sexual Abuse (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 31-37 Juvenile Ageism (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 39-48 Dynamics of Juvenile Ageism (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 49-54 Categories of Juvenile Ageism (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 55-67 The Impact of Juvenile Ageism on Individuals (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 69-81 The Devaluation of Parenthood (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 83-105 The Rights and Needs of Newborn Babies and Young Children (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 107-119 The Rights of Parents (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 121-142 Overcoming Our Crisis-Recoil Response (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 143-153 The Parent-Society Contract (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 155-158 What Should We Do? (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 159-175 Barriers to Change and Hope for the Future (Jack C. Westman)....Pages 177-187 Back Matter ....Pages 189-199 "This thought-provoking volume defines child abuse and neglect as a public health crisis, both in terms of injuries and mental health problems and as a link to poverty and other negative social outcomes. The author identifies key factors contributing to this situation--in particular juvenile ageism, the pervasive othering of children and youth--coupled with the assumption of parental competence until severe abuse or neglect proves otherwise. The book's practical answers to these complex issues involve recognizing and balancing the rights of parents and children, and responding to the diverse needs of new, competent, and dysfunctional families. To this end, a comprehensive prevention model is outlined, featuring primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions."--Provided by publisher