Summary Of The Book Of David By Richard Gelles

Richard J. Gelles was the director of the Family Violence Research Program at the University of Rhode Island. In his research, Gelles found that in many cases Social Workers as well as other professionals fail to look at the entire picture in terms of family intervention. According to Gelles, in the case of David, preexisting family issues were overlooked which should have played a major role in determining the suitability of David’s home. In his book, Gelles addresses several issues that state families should be maintained and that children are better off with their parents than in a custody system. “The Book of David,” is a nonfiction story about the short life of David Edward. David was only 15 months old when he was suffocated by his

David had fluctuations in his weight and showed signs of bruising over his body. His doctor associated the fluctuation in weigh as an error of the office throughout visits and did not report the bruising or broken blood vessels that were found on David’s body. According to Gelles, child abuse laws in all fifty states require physicians to report suspected abuse (Gelles, 1996). As stated earlier, the doctor also overlooked Darlene’s depression which was a notable warning sign as well. In the Sentinel chapter, Gelles explains that failure to report suspected abuse and neglect is typical amongst health care providers. Gelles states, “These professionals also feared lawsuits for false reports, although all state reporting statutes protect mandated reporters from lawsuits if their report is made in good faith” (Gelles, 1996). In addition to the potential misreading of situations, doctors also do not want to take the time that is associated with reporting issues of neglect. Some doctors feel that reporting potential abuse would cause an uncomfortable relationship between them and their

In David’s case there was no background investigation performed. Studies show child abuse is more prevalent in low income households. This was the case for David’s parents. Darlene grew up in a blue-collar home with a family of six. Her biological father abandoned the family when she was five and her mother remarried to an alcoholic who was verbally abusive and extremely strict. He would punish the children by sending them to their bedroom for hours for minor misbehavior. In addition, he would physically punish them but not to the point of producing physical injuries. In Darleen’s teenage years she seemed out of control. Darleen dropped out of high school and spent her time partying, drinking and smoking pot. Although she lived a provocative lifestyle, she did not have any trouble with the law. Donald was also one