The Historical Foundations of Child Welfare and the Impact of Child Abuse and Neglect

by | Nov 15, 2023 | social work

 

For this case assignment, you will identify historical foundations of child welfare regarding child abuse/neglect and explain theories that help to explain child
abuse. You will also describe the types of child maltreatment and how healthcare providers examine, investigate, and recognize child abuse based upon their
professions. Also, you will explain contributing factors that are linked to child abuse and intervention and strategies that can prevent child abuse. Last you will
describe how social workers can advocate on behalf of abused children to reduce the risk of child abuse.
Briefly explain the history of child welfare in relation to child abuse/neglect and identify one theoretical framework that helps to explain child abuse
and neglect.
Identify and explain the forms of child abuse and maltreatment that children may experience.
Explain how medical (physicians/nurses and etc.) practitioners and social workers recognize and identify child abuse/neglect and the effects of neglect
on children s health.
Describe contributing risk factors that are associated with child abuse/neglect; and explain effective interventions and strategies that will minimize child
abuse and neglect.
Sources to use
https://childrenscenter.cc/child-abuse-us-history/

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

The Historical Foundations of Child Welfare and the Impact of Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse and neglect have a long and complex history in the United States, with significant milestones and developments shaping the approach to protecting children from harm. The origins of child welfare can be traced back to the late 19th century, with the case of Mary Ellen McCormack serving as a catalyst for change. This landmark case brought attention to the issue of child abuse and led to the establishment of child protection laws and organizations such as the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

One theoretical framework that helps to explain child abuse and neglect is the ecological model. This model emphasizes the interplay between individual, family, community, and societal factors in understanding the occurrence of child maltreatment. It highlights how risk factors at multiple levels can contribute to abusive behavior and the importance of addressing these factors through comprehensive interventions.

Child abuse and maltreatment can take various forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Each type has distinct characteristics and potential long-term effects on a child’s well-being. It is crucial for healthcare providers and social workers to be able to recognize the signs of these different forms of abuse and respond appropriately.

Medical practitioners and social workers play vital roles in recognizing and addressing child abuse and neglect. Healthcare providers are trained to identify physical indicators of abuse or neglect, assess the child’s medical needs, and report suspected cases to child protective services. Social workers, on the other hand, provide crucial support to families at risk, conduct investigations into allegations of maltreatment, and advocate for the best interests of children within the child welfare system.

Contributing risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect can include parental substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, and social isolation. Effective interventions and strategies to minimize child abuse encompass a combination of prevention efforts, early intervention programs, parenting education, and community support services. By addressing these risk factors proactively, it is possible to reduce the incidence of child maltreatment and promote safe and nurturing environments for children.

In conclusion, the history of child welfare in relation to child abuse and neglect reflects a progression from individual cases to comprehensive national legislation and professional recognition of the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Theoretical frameworks like the ecological model provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics underlying child maltreatment, and healthcare providers and social workers play crucial roles in recognizing, responding to, and preventing child abuse. By addressing contributing risk factors and implementing effective interventions, it is possible to reduce the prevalence of child abuse and create safer environments for children to thrive.

Sources:

The History of Child Abuse Prevention in the United States

 

 

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