NCJ Number
50544
Journal
Children Today Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH APRIL 1977) Pages: 7-10,35
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF ADOLESCENT ABUSE, SUCH ABUSE AS AN EXTENSION OF CHILD ABUSE, ADOLESCENT AND ADULT INTERACTIONS IN THE FAMILY SYSTEM, AND THE SOCIAL CONTEXT OF ADOLESCENT ABUSE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THIS SUMMARY OF A 2-DAY WORKSHOP ON ADOLESCENT AND YOUTH ABUSE AND NEGLECT HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN DECEMBER 1975 HIGHLIGHTS NEW SOCIAL AWARENESS OF AN ANCIENT PROBLEM. THE ABSOLUTE POWER OF THE FAMILY OVER ITS MEMBERS IS TRACED BACK TO THE EARLY GREEKS. THE ABUSE TOWARD YOUTH IN MINES AND FACTORIES DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION LED TO MAJOR REFORM MOVEMENTS. HOWEVER, SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE NOT USUALLY RECOGNIZED VIOLENCE TOWARDS YOUTH IN THE HOME BECAUSE OF THE MYTH THAT THE ADOLESCENT IS NOT VULNERABLE. THREE STUDIES ARE CITED--A STUDY OF 1,000 ADOLESCENT GIRLS BY KONOPKA, A STUDY CONDUCTED IN THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY OF ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO, AND THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, PROJECT. ALL FOUND A SURPRISINGLY LARGE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE TOWARD ADOLESCENTS. MANY OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE HAD BEEN THE VICTIMS OF UNREPORTED ABUSE SINCE EARLY CHILDHOOD. THE FACTORS IN THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP WHICH RECEIVE UNDUE STRAIN DURING THE ADOLESCENT YEARS ARE REVIEWED. ADOLESCENT ABUSE IS VIEWED AS BOTH AN EXTENSION OF CHILD ABUSE AND AS A SPECIAL PHENOMENON. THE FAMILY SYSTEM IS EXAMINED, AS IS THE CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL CONTEXT WHICH IS MAKING VIOLENCE TOWARDS YOUTH MORE VISIBLE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT GROWING, BUT RATHER, THAT AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM IS GROWING. GREATER RESEARCH IS URGED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)