Chapter 1 Summary
Chapter 1 Summary
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explores child maltreatment and the historical way it was perceived. It examines the evolution of
society's comprehension and response to matters of child abuse and neglect throughout history
while highlighting the key concepts and events that have shaped the issue. The chapter begins by
acknowledging that child abuse and neglect have existed throughout history, even though the
terminology and understanding of these issues have evolved. The chapter discusses the
property and the complexity of life and death. It also covers the reporting of child maltreatment,
training, research funding and provisions for the handling of child neglect and abuse under the
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Crosson-Tower, 2014). It emphasizes the
importance of examining the historical context to comprehend the current understanding and
The author explains how childhood emerged during the Middle Ages and how the
Puritans in America viewed children as inherently sinful and needing strict discipline. The
ancient practice of infanticide was used to eliminate unwanted children. The 19th and 20th
centuries led to the increase of child labor due to the industrial revolution and urbanization.
Children were forced to work for long hours in unconducive conditions for little pay. The chapter
also discusses corporal punishment, once considered an acceptable form of discipline (Crosson-
Tower, 2014). The author explains that many religious texts, including the Bible, were used to
justify corporal punishment. The influence of religious institutions contributed to and shaped
The chapter also discusses the concept of children as property. Most cultures emphasized
and perpetuated children to be seen as a belonging of their parents and they were subject to trade
or sale like any other commodity. The perception of children as property contributed to the
widespread abuse and neglect of children throughout history. In the early USA, the arrival of
immigrants from Europe and enslaved Africans spurred economic growth. The children of the
enslaved worked alongside their parents in allegiance to and property of the enslavers (Crosson-
Tower, 2014). The Pacific Islands and Asian immigrants arrived in the USA with different
values about dependent children as the family became involved in caring for the children from
birth to death. Native American children were perceived as the community's responsibility, while
The issue of child dependency was perceived as children depending on adults for their
basic needs making them to be vulnerable to child neglect and abuse. The chapter notes that
neglected or abused children often suffer from physical, emotional, and cognitive problems that
can persist throughout their childhood into adulthood (Crosson-Tower, 2014). The chapter
concludes with an overview of functional and dysfunctional families. The author notes that
healthy families provide children with a safe and nurturing environment, while dysfunctional
families can contribute to the maltreatment of children. The chapter strikes a contrast between
children who have healthy development and those whose development are hindered by abuse.
Chapter 1 of Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect gives a detailed overview of the
historical perspective of child maltreatment. The chapter highlights the various forms of
maltreatment that have occurred throughout history, and provides insight into the factors that
contribute to the maltreatment of children. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of
References