Re: severity of abuse

[MichaelD55@xxxxxxx]

We have a chronic growth of children noted as ADD or ADHD in the US. Their 
parents ask for special treatment in the classroom. More affluent older 
children have the majority of requests for special treatment when taking the 
SAT (college entrance tests) Some think this is mostly a reflection of 
parents pathology and schools who encourage such labels. I do believe that 
Japan has had a very low level of such problems. I do not believe that Japan 
is free of child abuse.

The severe cases with multiple chronic abuse episodes that appeared in the 
1960s do not seem to appear so often now. It is my belief that children are 
abused less and less severely. Recent drops in the rate of reports may 
reflect a strong economy on top of more public awareness and whatever our 
programs has generated in prevention.

Michael Durfee
Los Angeles

In a message dated 5/19/00 6:04:28 AM, MariaR1947@aol.com writes:

<< Although this is not strictly related to the original query, I wonder if 
any 
other members of the list are puzzled by a seeming paradox.  If the rates of 
abuse and neglect are going down, then why does it appear that in the UK at 
least, troubled children are manifesting as 'troubled' much younger; that 
teachers talk to me about the high numbers of emotionally needy children in 
their class; of young boys out of control and the growing number of children 
(again usually boys) diagnosed as ADD/ADHD?  

Is it simply that the criteria for abuse are so varied and only the most 
gross neglect (for example) is seen as abuse?  Is it the push through the 
Children Act (again in the UK) to work with parents that social worker and 
health visitor colleagues will work with a family for years (while they have 
more children) before admitting that children within the family are 
suffering?  Is it social change including the downgrading of men and (some) 
women stating that children don't need fathers???  Lack of family 
structure???  

What do the distinguished members of this list think? (I know what I think 
but I would not be popular!!)

Maria Robinson
Researcher