Psychological Theories Of Child Abuse And Crime

Several theories declare the connection between child abuse and crime. One of the earliest theories was originated by Sigmund Freud in 1896. Freud 's Repressed Memories theory shows that abusive memories are indirectly stored in the victim 's subconscious. In other words, a subject blocks out painful or traumatic experiences. This could lead to hysteria, and other complications in adulthood (Richmond). The Social Learning Theory (SLT) maintains that children develop patterns of violent or delinquent behavior through imitation. For instance, if a child is being beaten at home, then the child will revert to doing so to other children at school. The Social Control Theory (SCT) says that individuals have a natural tendency towards crime and violence

Each year in America alone, an estimate of two million children, ranging from infants to teenagers go through minor or major kinds of abuse which include neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual maltreatment. According to the National American Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, neglect represented 54% of confirmed cases of child abuse, physical abuse represented 22%, sexual abuse represented 8%, emotional maltreatment represented 4%, and other forms of maltreatment represented12%. It also indicates that child abuse is far more common in single-parent families than in families where both parents are

"Child Abuse and Neglect" says that Physical abuse can include "striking a child with the hand, fist, or foot or with an object, burning, shaking, pushing, or throwing a child; pinching or biting the child, pulling a child by the hair or cutting off a child’s air." However, physical abuse is considered to be a use of punishment in wrecked as well as normal families such as the use of physical force with the intent of inflicting bodily pain, but not injury, for the purpose of correction or control or discipline. Yet, there is a thin line between physical punishment and abuse which many parents seem to lack notice of. "Child Abuse and Neglect" explains that the level of force used by an angry or frustrated parent can easily get out of hand and lead to injury. Emotional or verbal abuse is one of the worst forms of mistreatment due to its invisibility. Even though it might seem less brutal than physical abuse, it leaves the same and somewhat deeper impact because of its focus on the child 's mental and social development. This causes lasting psychological wounds throughout