NCJ Number
234508
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 101-108
Date Published
February 2011
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reviews Foucault's perspectives and concepts to analyze child abuse in society.
Abstract
This theoretical paper takes on a difficult and dangerous argument: that 'child abuse' is socially constructed. By using Michel Foucault's analysis of the complex interplay between power and knowledge, the author may be able to explain the changing forms that the struggle against child abuse has taken, without minimizing the reality of the suffering that abuse causes. By examining the historical role that State and child welfare movements played in developing child protective services in North America, it was discovered how scientific epistemology and medical discourse on child abuse have come together to shape and construct societal beliefs about abusers. This analysis allows us to deepen our understanding of child abuse and the means to preventing it, as well as guides us in developing better and more informed social policies. (Published Abstract)