NCJ Number
57649
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE QUESTION OF WHETHER CHILDREN WHO DO NOT GROW AS EXPECTED, BECAUSE OF NONORGANIC REASONS, ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE IS EXAMINED IN THIS PAPER.
Abstract
DEPRIVATION DWARFISM RESULTS WHEN MOTHERS UNDERFEED THEIR CHILDREN OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. EVIDENCE FOR THIS CONTENTION IS FOUND IN SEVERAL STUDIES SUCH AS THE ONE BY APLEY (1971) WHICH FOUND THAT CHILDREN WITH DWARFISM, WITHOUT ENDOCRINE AND OTHER DISEASE, HAD A CALORIC CONSUMPTION OF LITTLE MORE THAN HALF THAT EXPECTED FOR THEIR AGE. OBJECTIVE FINDINGS DIRECTLY CONTRADICT STATEMENTS MADE BY MOTHERS OF SUCH CHILDREN THAT THEIR CHILDREN EAT A LOT OF FOOD. THEY MAKE SUCH STATEMENTS EITHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE DELIBERATELY CHOSEN TO LIE OR BECAUSE OF SELF-DECEPTION. THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THERE IS NO SINGLE PERSONALITY PROFILE FOR MOTHERS WHOSE CHILDREN FAIL TO THRIVE. NEVERTHELESS, 10 CRITERIA ARE USEFUL IN IDENTIFYING MOTHERS WHOSE CHILDREN SUFFER FROM DEPRIVATION DWARFISM: (1) THE MOTHER HAS HAD A DEPRIVED CHILDHOOD, (2) THE PATERNITY OF THE CHILD IS IN QUESTION, (3) THE CHILD IS NOT OF THE MARRIAGE OR THE COHABITATION, (4) THE CHILD WAS NOT WANTED, (5) THE CHILD IS NOT OF THE WANTED SEX, (6) THE MOTHER IS ISOLATED FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, (7) THE FAMILY IS UNDERGOING SUCH CRISES AS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, (8) THE MOTHER SPEAKS DISPARINGLY OF THE CHILD, (9) THE MOTHER HAS A CHARACTER DISORDER, AND (10) THE MOTHER SCAPEGOATS THE CHILD. ON THE OTHER HAND, MANY OF THE FATHERS HAVE A GENUINE CONCERN FOR THE CHILDREN BUT ARE UNABLE TO HELP THEM. THIS SUGGESTS THE NEED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH. REFERENCES AND GRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (KCP).