by Maurice Sassoon

Created on: November 01, 2008

Child abuse is an unpardonable sin and should be severely dealt with. A child who has not as yet matured to adulthood is particularly sensitive to any kind of ill-treatment from parents, or those who are responsible for his or her welfare, and might never ever be able to overcome its effect. Unfortunately the troubled development of an abused child could cause problems in the years ahead, that could lead to unforseen circumstances, such as the possibility of being similarly abusive to others, and most of all, to his or her own offspring, develop a propensity to crime, or any kind of wrongdoing that calls for punishment. Psychologists have long tried to find the reason why people commit crime, knowing fully well that the punishment would be severe. In most cases, they have arrived at the conclusion that such people might have been abused at a very early age, or they might be genetically inclined to violate the rules of law. In many cases, they have concluded that certain traits and behaviors are passed on from parents to their children. Constant family disputes, bordering on violence, or even leading to violence, might adversely influence a child, whose dependence on parents or other members of the family prevents it from differentiating between right and wrong, while contantly being exposed to such abnormality.

A child's mind could be compared to a metal that is malleable enough to be drawn out and shapened with a hammer. It is, likewise, susceptible to undergoing a process of formation, beneficial or otherwise, either in the way of morality or immorality. Childhood abuse could be dangerous in many respects. It could prevent a child's mental and physical development, cause attention deficit that might serve as an obstacle to its education, so that adapting to normal social standards would be difficult. Though crime in general must not be condoned, psychologists are inclined to believe that acts of lawlessness should be classified as an illness and, apart from murder, should be treated. Recidivism, as far as the violation of certain laws are concerned might not appear to respond to treatment, but might, in fact, be worth trying, prior to imprisonment in cases where the weakness of the family structure of the abuser is evident.

A child is wholly and solely dependent on proper care and normal upbringing. Those that do otherwise should not take upon themselves the responsibility of raising a family. Character-building and preliminary education at home are necessary. There is no other way for a child to develop mentally and physically. A home should be considered as the one and only stepping stone to a school. Parental behavior rubs off on a child. It should be one of blessing and not abuse.

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