Analyzing Child Abuse Cases and Articles

The definition of physical child abuse has been subject to debate. Wallace (2005) describes physical child abuse as "any act that results in a non-accidental physical injury by a person who has care, custody, or control of a child (p.33)." The harsh fact is that physical child abuse is not a new phenomenon. It in fact exists throughout all recorded history. In 1874 a case was tried under charges in place to protect animals from cruelty. This case inevitably led to the formation of "the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1875 (p.35)." Prevent Child Abuse America collected data from thirty eight states regarding causes of fatalities due to child abuse or neglect, and concluded that "physical abuse was the leading causes of death (51 percent). (p.36)." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the investigation of "reported" cases, found that 899,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect in 2005 (U.S. DHHS, 2007). Wallace offers many variables considered as relevant influences in the occurrence of family violence. This article will determine the existence of two different variables by first examining two physical abuse cases, and then in further researching topic related articles.

Newspaper article I: The case of Stephanie Mingo. This newspaper article, By Michelle Washington of The Virginian-Pilot (October 24, 2007), focuses on the charges made against Mingo's Step-father. Stephanie, however, was convicted of murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, for the death of her two month-old infant. The infant was said to have died due to the abuse and neglect inflicted by Mingo. This story overshadows a much larger event.

During the court hearings the paternity of the baby is determined as being Mingo's step father, James Mingo. He pleaded guilty for having sex with his teen age daughter. James Mingo was married to Stephanie's mother, Angela Mingo. Stephanie was 13 years old when her and her step father began having sex and 17 when she gave birth. Additionally, Angela had been convicted of cruelty to Stephanie and was also tried and convicted for the murder of Stephanie's infant. (Washington, 2007).

Newspaper article II: Four year old Quachaun Browne. Jose Calderon, a 19 year old, is being charged for the murder and manslaughter of his girlfriend's four year old son. He testified that his 28 year old girlfriend, Aleshia Smith was the one "who beat Quachaun". Smith pleaded guilty for manslaughter and admits that she failed to get prompt medical attention for her child. For this she will serve 2 ½ to 7 ½ years.

Calderon moved in with Smith after losing employment as a handyman in the apartment building where smith and five of her six children lived. Her eldest child lived with a relative. The apartment was two rooms; the living room was used as Smiths room while the other was used for the five children. Witnesses described the apartment as having clothes piled on the floors; infested with rats, mice and roaches; with excrement on the walls and floors (Williams 2, 2007). Additionally the children commonly missed consecutive days of school and had to wash their clothes by hand as their mother did not do their laundry. Food mostly came in the form of Chinese takeout provided by extended family members.

Calderon testified that Smith had been beating her children. He explained he threatened to leave Smith as a result of her behavior. He inevitably decided to stay due to the assumption that Smith was pregnant with his child. Calderon states that the mother continued to beat the children including Quachaun. The boy was said to have died from "a lacerated liver and a lacerated pancreas and had internal bleeding in his head (Williams 1, 2007)."

Variable I: In reference to newspaper article I, The Cycle of Violence Theory. One variable increasing the probability of physical child abuse is a history of violence in the family. The Cycle of violence theory is one of controversy. It is questionable whether an individual can inherit violent behavior from their family of origin by way of observation or victimization. R. J. Gelles's is quoted by Wallace (2005), stating that "physical punishment of children is perhaps the most effective means of teaching violence, and eliminating it would be and important step in violence prevention (p.21)." The cycle of violence theory assumes that "violent behavior is learned within the family" and bestowed upon generation after generation. This would conclude that childhood survivors develop a predisposition for bestowing violence in their own homes. The passing of behavior results in a never ending cycle of violence and abuse.

Newspaper article I is an apparent portrayal of a vicious violent cycle. Angela abused her daughter Stephanie. This increases her vulnerability to the seduction of her step father, James. Stephanie becomes impregnated by her step-father. She follows suit and abuses her child, causing her to die. Under this poorly intervened family cycle, a teen is abused both physically and sexually, and then punished for not coping properly with it. Perceptions not under the cycle of violence theory might just conclude that she is responsible and her behavior is punishable. However under the consideration of this theory, one must determine the factors leading to Stephanie's vulnerability to violent behavior.

Variable 2: In reference to newspaper article II. Although this is a story riddled with variables a clear focus of the reporter is on the connection between poverty and this case. Wallace does not directly attribute poverty as a variable of physical child abuse. He does however; mention that there are studies that indicate poverty as a factor in ones ability to parent and care for their children. He questions whether poverty begets poor functioning or if poor functioning begets poverty. Assuming that poverty enables stress, and poor mental and emotional functioning, one might apply other models as supporting evidence for this variable. Such models include the character-trait model and the environmental-sociological-cultural model (Wallace, 2005, p.39-40).

Newspaper article II attached much of these concepts to the occurrence of physical child abuse. Highlights of the report included the number of children, the size of the home and the disarray in which it was kept, single parenting, the lack of food, and unemployment of both adults. It is unclear as to whether this is the main variable in why an adult might beat a child to death. The cause of poverty may be the cause for the behavior as well. Alternatively the behavior could be a resulting factor in the stress of poverty on mental and emotional health.

Research I: Referencing family cycle of violence theory. Huefner, Ringle, Chmelka, and Ingram (2007) executed research in attempts to identify the success of residential care programs in breaking the cycle of intergenerational abuse. The researchers provide documentation that supports, that currently, the Cycle of Violence Theory as valid and accepted. It is explained that child victims of maltreatment often develop behavioral and personality problems in adolescents. They describe a high rate of violent behavior in abused children and state that studies show that 50% of them meet the Diagnostic Criteria for anti-social behavior. These connections can be made into adulthood. "For example, many childhood abuse victims become adult perpetrators of both marital and parental aggression, creating intergenerational transmission of abuse (Huefner, et. al, 2007)." This link from childhood violence into adulthood may not make someone a perpetrator later, rather a continued victim.

Additional evidence is offered by Bensley, Van Eenwyk, and Wynkoop Simmons. They researched the connection of different types of childhood abuse to that of adult IPV in females. Their studies found that female victims of childhood physical abuse (or witnesses' interparental violence) had increased the risk of IPV by four to six times. They conclude "the role of childhood experiences of abuse and of witnessing family violence in women's current risk for IPV, poor physical health, and frequent mental distress (Bensley, Eenwyk, Wynkoop Simmons, 2003)." Narang and Contreras (2005) set out to research the possibility that disassociation was the mediator between and individuals childhood physical abuse experience and them becoming an adult abuser. They conclude that "Dissociation's strong association with abuse potential may partially explain why only some abused children later perpetuate the cycle of abuse, as those who are not disassociative into adulthood are likely to have lower abuse potential, in contrast to those displaying elevated dissociation (Narang and Contreras, 2005)."

Research II: Referencing poverty as a variable of physical abuse. Finding any great academic proof of this relationship is difficult. This implies that currently it is not the most accepted of variables. It is questionable in that poverty itself can not cause physical child abuse. Many impoverished families have very strong values and bonds. It is understood that poverty as a variable may increase the chances of a predisposition for the behavior. This variable within the scope of biopsychosocial influences of susceptibility commands attention. It does so because it is a point of entrance for preventative services.

Black, Heyman, and Slep (2001) discuss risk factors in child abuse. They include variables of impoverished communities as well as parent's "dysphoria" or stress. Pelton (2001) explains that poverty is an overwhelmingly evident variable of abuse however only a small number of those living in poverty are actually alleged abusers. Volpe (2002) references Pelton explaining child maltreatment as classless is a myth. "While child abuse is found among all socioeconomic groupings, it is not evenly distributed throughout society. Rather, a strong relationship exists between poverty and the prevalence and severity of consequences of abuse (Volpe, 2002)."

References

Bensley PhD ,Lillian, Van Eenwyk PhD, Juliet, and Wynkoop Simmons PhD. American Journal of Preventive Medicine Volume 25, Issue 1, July 2003, Pages 38-44: Childhood family violence history and women's risk for intimate partner violence and poor health. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V7N-4N5CSMV-1/2/231a873041a9a6fded8713db46596020

Katrina Black, D. A. Heyman, R. E. Slep, A. M. S. (2001).State Univ. of New York. Stony Brook. Dept. of Psychology: Risk Factors for Child Physical Abuse. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://basis.caliber.com/cwig/ws/library/docs/gateway/Record?rpp=10&upp=0&m=1&w=+NATIVE%28%27an%3D%27%27cd-35219%27%27%27%29&r=1

Huefner, Jonathan C., Ringle, Jay L., Chmelka, M. Beth, Ingram, Stephanie D.(2007). Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 31, Issue 2, February 2007, Pages 187-199: Breaking the cycle of intergenerational abuse: The long-term impact of a residential care program. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V7N-4N5CSMV-1/2/231a873041a9a6fded8713db46596020

Narang, David Singh and Contreras, Josefina M. Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 29, Issue 6, June 2005, Pages 683-699: The relationships of dissociation and affective family environment with the intergenerational cycle of child abuse. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V7N-4N5CSMV-1/2/231a873041a9a6fded8713db46596020

Pelton, Leroy H. (2001). Poverty Causes Child Abuse. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.bookrags.com/researchtopics/child-abuse/sub12.html

U.S. DHHS (2007). Children Child Maltreatment. Retrieved on October 21, 2007 from the DHHS Administration http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm05/chapterthree.htm#child

Volpe, Richard Ph.D. (2002). 3.3 Poverty and Child Abuse. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.bvmschool.on.ca/courses/abuse/CM_3_3.htm

Wallace, Harvey (2005). Family Violence: Legal, Medical, and Social Perspective, 4th Edition. Pearson Education, Inc.

Washington, Michelle (October 24, 2007). The Virginian-Pilot: Man admits he had sex with stepchild, pleads guilty in Norfolk. Retrieved on October 35, 2007 from http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=135348&ran=121586&tref=rss

Williams 1, Timothy (July 19, 2007). The New York Times: Mother Gets Prison Term in Death of Boy. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/nyregion/19mother.html

Williams 2, Timothy (October 16, 2007). The New York Times: Trial in Boy's Death Sheds Scant Light on a Couple. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/16/nyregion/16boy.html?_r=4&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/C/Child%20Abuse%20and%20Neglect&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin