NCJ Number
56046
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS TAPE CASSETTE AND FILMSTRIP, FOR PERSONS IN GRADE 8 TO COLLEGE, STUDY THE INCIDENCE AND EFFECTS OF ABUSE AGAINST TEENAGERS. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WITHIN FAMILIES ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH 60,000 CASES OF ADOLESCENT ABUSE ARE ANNUALLY REPORTED, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL CASES LIKELY GO UNREPORTED. PUBLIC INTEREST REMAINS INSUBSTANTIAL BECAUSE OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING ABUSE OF TEENAGERS. UNLIKE YOUNGER CHILDREN, TEENAGERS ARE SEEN TO HAVE PROVOKED MUCH OF THE VIOLENCE DIRECTED AGAINST THEM BY THEIR PARENTS. TEENAGERS MAY CONTRIBUTE TO STRESS WITHIN A FAMILY, BUT THE VIOLENT RESULT OF THIS STRESS IS A FUNCTION OF THE PARENTS' FRUSTRATIONS. RATHER THAN RETALIATE, MANY ABUSED ADOLESCENTS WILL SUBMIT TO BEATINGS, OR WILL RUN AWAY. THE CHILD'S TENSIONS OCCURRING IN ADOLESCENCE FREQUENTLY COINCIDE WITH THE PARENTS' 'MIDLIFE CRISIS.' FOR YOUNG WOMEN, THE PROBLEMS WITHIN A CHANGING FAMILY MAY CULMINATE IN SEXUAL ABUSE, WITH SERIOUS, LONG-LASTING EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES. SOURCES OF HELP FOR ADOLESCENTS INCLUDE A NETWORK OF YOUTH AND RUNAWAY CENTERS AND A HOTLINE TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR TEENAGERS. INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING IS OFFERED AT SUCH CENTERS, WITH THE GOAL OF NONVIOLENT RESOLUTION TO ANY FAMILY PROBLEM. (TWK)