Re: severity of abuse

[<MariaR1947@xxxxxxx>]

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