THROWAWAY PARENTS - AN INDICTMENT OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION IN MILWAUKEE

• NCJ Number: 53986
• Author(s): A A HAEUSER
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 13 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Junior League of Milwaukee
• Corporate Author: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PREPARED FOR PRESENTATION ON A PANEL WITH EDITH BLACKHALL, SECTION SUPERVISOR, CHILD PROTECTION AND PARENT SERVICES, MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND PHILIP BOND, CHAIRMAN, CHILD ABUSE COMMITTEE, MILWAUKEE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Annotation

MILWAUKEE, WIS., IS WARNED THAT IT IS THROWING AWAY ABUSING PARENTS BY STIGMATIZING THEM AND OFFERING THEM INSUFFICIENT REHABILITATION.

Abstract

THIS REPORT ADVOCATES A GOAL OF REHABILITATION OF THE ABUSING PARENTS RATHER THAN REMOVAL OF THE CHILD AND PUNISHMENT OF THE PARENTS. TWO MILWAUKEE PROGRAMS ARE PROMISING APPROACHES BUT ARE INSUFFICIENT: OUTPOST-PARENTS HELPLINE AND PARENTS ANONYMOUS. THE HELPLINE TELEPHONE HOTLINE OFFERS PARENTS ON THE VERGE OF LOSING CONTROL AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO SOMEONE AND REGAIN COMPOSURE. BESIDES TELEPHONE COUNSELING, HELPLINE ALSO RECOMMENDS PARENT EDUCATION CLASSES, READING MATERIALS, AND TAPED CONSULTATIONS ON COMMON CONCERNS ABOUT PRESCHOOLS. PARENTS ANONYMOUS IS AN ABUSING PARENTS SELF-HELP GROUP MODELED ON ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS THAT MEETS AND ATTEMPTS TO WORK OUT THE PROBLEMS OF INDIVIDUAL PARENTS. PARENTS COME TO THE PARENTS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS OR CALL HELPLINE BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID OF LEGAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES. A MAJOR PROBLEM INHERENT IN COMMON CHILD ABUSE TREATMENT METHODS IS THE EMPHASIS ON REPORTING. IT HAS FOSTERED AN ATTITUDE OF CATCH THE PARENT RATHER THAN HELP THE PARENT. AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF AN ORGANIZATION TO COORDINATE THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR ABUSING PARENTS. FURTHERMORE, MILWAUKEE IS NOT DEVELOPING SOME OF THE PROVEN MODALITIES FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE: (1) LAY VOLUNTEER AIDES, (2) CRISIS NURSERY AND DAY CARE FACILITIES AND HOMES FOR RUNAWAY MOTHERS, (3) FOSTER GRANDPARENTS, AND (4) READILY AVAILABLE HOMEMAKER SERVICES. WHAT IS NEEDED IS UNTHREATENING INTERVENTION, SOCIAL SUPPORTS FOR FAMILIES, AND TREATMENT WHICH PERMITS FAMILIES TO STAY TOGETHER. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (MLC)