NCJ Number
47320
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE FILM, DESIGNED TO PROMOTE DISCUSSION OF THE BASIC CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE, PRESENTS A DRAMATIC ENACTMENT OF AN ABUSING PARENT AND EXPLORES THE PROCESS WHICH LEADS TO THE ABUSE OF HER CHILDREN.
Abstract
THE FILM DEPICTS AN 'ORDINARY' COUPLE WITH A SMALL CHILD AND AN INFANT. THE MOTHER'S FRUSTRATION IN DEALING WITH THE CHILDREN AND THE FATHER'S APPARENT LACK OF CONCERN WITH THE DETERIORATING SITUATION AT HOME ARE SHOWN BUILDING UP THROUGHOUT THE FILM. THE MOTHER AT ONE POINT REALIZES THE DIFFICULTIES SHE IS HAVING IN HANDLING HER CHILDREN; A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE VISITS THE HOME AND NOTICES SOME UNUSUAL BRUISES ON THE CHILD. SHE DOES NOT, HOWEVER, INTERVENE IN THE CASE, AS SHE COULD HAVE. HER NONINTERVENTION IS USED AS A TRAINING DEVICE TO BRING OUT DISCUSSION AMONG VIEWERS ABOUT HOW THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED. AS THE TENSION BUILDS IN THE HOUSEHOLD, VARIOUS WARNING SIGNS OF POTENTIALLY ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR ARE SHOWN IN ORDER TO HELP TEACH IDENTIFICATION OF SUCH BEHAVIOR, A NECESSARY STEP TO THE PREVENTION OF ACTUAL ABUSE. EVENTUALLY, THE STRESSES AND A POOR MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP BUILD UP TO THE POINT THAT THE MOTHER DOES ACTUALLY ABUSE HER CHILDREN. THE FILM ENDS ABRUPTLY AT THIS POINT. (VDA) PRESSURES OF THE HOME, DIFFICULT CHILDREN, AND