Child Abuse

Parenting is not instinctive. If it were, everyone who had a child would be a good parent. Consequently, child abuse is a rising
phenomenon in our society. Though no single factor has been identified as the cause of child maltreatment, it appears to be
influenced by parents' histories, psychological resources, and economic status. Parenting must be learned. While this is often
done through experience, education courses for individuals prior to their becoming parents, and close evaluation of
questionable homes could enhance parents' knowledge and the childrens' well being. A large number of abusive parents have
histories of physical and emotional abuse inflicted upon them during their childhood. Thus, they were deprived of parents who
taught them how to be good parents. In describing how she felt when she realized her children were being abused, Jean states:
All of a sudden I could feel all the {old} anger back and {I was} wishing that someone would have protected me when ...