This paper examined the problem of physical abuse in school-age children. The paper began with a brief historical description of the problem, noting that it was not really until the later part of this century that the problem was fully recognized.
This review of the historical background of the problem was followed by an examination of the scope of the problem, the psychoemotional and physical effects of the problem, an epidemiological discussion, and a delineation of several factors that place children at risk for physical abuse. The problem was shown to be both substantial and complex in nature.
The second section of the paper proposed three health promotion strategies for remediating the problem of physical abuse in childhood. These strategies were: (1) a primary prevention screening strategy to be used to identify families at risk for abuse; (2) a secondary prevention strategy aimed at improving parents' knowledge of childhood development as well as their anger management and disciplinary skills; and (3) a tertiary prevention family counseling strategy.
An evaluative method for determining the effectiveness of each strategy was also developed and described. Further, research was cited to support each developed strategy as an effective avenue for intervention with respect to the physical abuse of children.
The paper ends with a short summary of the nature of the problem. It also provides a summary of the three developed health promotion strategies.
HEALTH CARE GOALS FOR THE NATION---YEAR 2020
THE PROBLEM OF PHYSICAL ABUSE OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
According to the National Institute of Justice (2000), the criminalization of child abuse and neglect began with the social reforms of the late 19th century and early 20th century in which neglected and abused children were removed from poorhouses or inadequate housing and placed in institutions or substitute care. Government assistance in the 1930s to mothers ...