Child Abuse

Punishment for child abuse is so miniscule in this country. Children in our nation are dying because they are beaten so badly. Why do we wait for something so drastic to happen before we take action? It is these same abused children who grow up and become thieves, murderers, anorexic/bulimic. We then call these scarred people crazy. Are we doing enough to prevent such behaviors in people? We are so adept at tring to prevent such things as pregnancy, but we don't prevent child abuse. There are too many children in foster care that are being physically, mentally, and emotionally abused. Where are the social workers who are supposed to be checking up on these children? Is it not bad enough that these children will probably already have emotional scars from being put up for adoption in the first place? Do they really need more trauma in their lives? Can we blame them for acting out? I don't think we can. We try and argue that there is a certain point when we know right from wrong independent of our environment, but I disagree. They are crying out for attention, for help.

We also don't take into account the full scope of abuse. We often think of it as just physical, but the reality is that the scars left by emotional abuse can take years to heal, if they heal at all. This is usually what causes the trauma for children. The physical scars heal, but it is the scars on the heart that sting and can so easily be reopened. Why shouldn't every child talk to a therapist? Even if there is no type of abuse going on, shouldn't they be able to release any stress they do have? I think this should be part of every school's curricula. I realize an argument against this may be that there isn't enough money to institute such a program, but maybe we need to make teachers take a few psychology classes before obtaining their certification. I am not suggesting individual therapy, unless needed, but perhaps 15 minutes during lunch or free time. I think this should be done until every child turns 16.

Why spend years on rehabilitation programs for extra tax dollars, when we can build in a prevention system in our schools?