Introduction
While parents are supposed to protect their kids, many minors become victims of child abuse (CA). Ways in which an underaged person may be mistreated vary and include emotional, physical, and sexual maltreatment (Sharma et al., 2021). While CA is likely to lead to lifelong complications, many victims do not survive the severity of CA (Alazri & Hanna, 2020; Sharma et al., 2021).
In 2018, about 1770 children across the US passed away because of CA, and the risk of suffering from CA has only increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (Sharma et al., 2021). The issue of CA is often overlooked, with many cases not being investigated for reasons such as the social construction of gender roles. However, the situation can change with a modified representation of CA.
Challenges of Reporting Child Abuse
One of the reasons behind the difficulty of protecting minors from CA is a lack of reporting. Aside from their parents and legal guardians, children spend substantial time with their teachers, yet educators frequently fail to notify the authorities about CA experienced by their students (Alazri & Hanna, 2020). For example, school personnel may avoid announcing suspected cases due to not understanding reporting responsibilities and processes or assuming that potential victims would be removed from their homes (Alazri & Hanna, 2020).
Moreover, many CA incidents remain unannounced because of a possible lack of examination. For instance, educators are more likely to report CA concerning elementary rather than high school learners because they are concerned that CA involving adolescents would not be investigated (Alazri & Hanna, 2020). Accordingly, specialists who have a legal obligation to report CA may fail to do so. Picture 1, taken from the following link to a Reddit post, can support the claim based on the experience of a woman whose son’s pediatrician refused to document CA. Consequently, CA is overlooked as professionals working with youths do not always notify the authorities.
Furthermore, some CA situations are disregarded because of the social construction (SC) of gender roles. A recent media article presents a video of a woman from Florida physically beating a child. The multimedia content supports the following claim of the female population maltreating minors, which is often dismissed by the public’s assumption that only male persons are abusive.
De Motte and Mutale (2019) state that the SC of gender dichotomy suggests that women are inherently nurturing and protecting, thus making it difficult for people to accept that female individuals commit CA. Since women have been constructed as incapable of CA, the media rarely fully portrays CA perpetrators, and their victims are less likely to be believed (de Motte & Mutale, 2019). Although both male and female persons can harm children, the SC of gender roles has contributed to several CA cases being overlooked.
Potential Solutions
The problem of CA may change if the representation of CA is modified. Sharma et al. (2021) declare that statistics across the US demonstrate that most CA cases are unrecognized, thus worsening the situation. Plante and Negura (2021) state that social representations (SRs) are essential in selecting policy instruments to address societal issues.
Through discourse, SRs can impact such authorities as legislators (Plante & Negura, 2021). Different forms of knowledge dissemination, like communication in coffee shops, online networking platforms, and official hearings, can generate SRs by making unfamiliar information publicized and integrated into intervention practices (Plante & Negura, 2021). Therefore, by openly discussing CA incidents, reporting the cases, and demanding justice, the severity of CA may be mitigated.
Conclusion
To conclude, child abuse is often overlooked because of reasons like the social construction of gender roles, yet modified representation of CA can potentially change the problem of CA. By communicating about the issue, people can transform how CA is perceived by the nation, which can lead to more reports and changes in policy that oversee CA. Every person and organization has a personal and social responsibility to prevent child maltreatment and protect youths.
References
Alazri, Z., & Hanna, K. M. (2020). School personnel and child abuse and neglect reporting behavior: An integrative review. Children and Youth Services Review, 112, 1-12. Web.
de Motte, C., & Mutale, G. (2019). How the construction of women in discourse explains society’s challenge in accepting that females commit sexual offences against children. Journal of Criminal Psychology, 9(4), 155-165. Web.
Plante, N., & Negura, L. (2021). Social representations of children and parents in parliamentary-committee debates about the inclusion of child psychological maltreatment in the Quebec Youth Protection Act. Societies, 11(3), 1-21. Web.
Sharma, S., Wong, D., Schomberg, J., Knudsen-Robbins, C., Gibbs, D., Berkowitz, C., & Heyming, T. (2021). COVID-19: Differences in sentinel injury and child abuse reporting during a pandemic. Child Abuse & Neglect, 116(2), 1-9. Web.