by Danette M. Scott

Created on: September 07, 2007

What kind of parents abuse their children?
The traits of abusive parents can be divided into two parts each of which is part of a continuous cycle that his passed from parent to child unless intervention is used and successful.

The first type of abusive parent displays emotional immaturity and often engages in role reversal with the child. The child is then expected to meet the parents needs. Parents of this type cannot cope with the needs of the child and did not have their own needs met when they were children. Children who are abused in this way may experience emotional deprivation and impaired bonding.

The second type of abusive parent often uses physical abuse under the facade of discipline. This type of parent has difficulty discerning discipline and abuse. They view their abuse as normal. Children who fail to meet the high expectations of the abuser
may be physically abused. The abusive parent in this category may also sexually abuse a child using the excuse that they are teaching the child.

Other factors that may that may influence parental abuse of children are;
1. mental illness
2. mental retardation
3. stresses like deaths in the family,financial problems and difficulties in relationships with spouses
4. emotional immaturity
5. parents were victims of abuse themselves and may perceive it as normal
6. cultural influences that may be in conflict what is considered the norm in American society

Children who are abused may grow up believing that abuse is normal and repeat the cycle with their own children. How do we break this cycle? Intervention is the only answer.

In what ways can intervention be applied to break the cycle of abuse? To have a place to start it seems logical that abuse should be reported to the proper authorities before any intervention can take place. Counseling both, for the child and adults in abusive families may be necessary. Removal of the abused child from the home permanently or temporarily and criminal charges brought against the abusers are a few of the methods that social workers can use to help break the cycle of abuse.

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