1. Abuse
- What
do I consider child abuse? Well any form of disciplining a child that causes
severe physical or emotional harm. I don’t think children should be
disrespected just because of their age. They are individuals just like adults
who deserve respect.
- Do I think
spanking is child abuse? I’m truly torn with this question…I do think spanking
is child abuse. I don’t think it is an extreme form of abuse but because
spanking means physically hitting a child, I do have to say it is abuse.
- Do I think spanking should be allowed? I don’t
know how to answer this question. Would I be absolutely appalled in public if I
witnessed a child being spanked? I think I would. But I’m a psychology major
and it’s not necessarily the physical spanking that is worrisome to me, it’s
the public and social humiliation that would come with it. I don’t think it
should be allowed to happen in public.
- When should it become a public concern? Like I
mentioned before, it’s not so much the physical act of spanking that I’m too
worried about, it’s the other problems that would come along with it. I don’t think a parent should spank their
child in public at all.
- What
is an acceptable form of public punishment? Well I do not have children but I
do know that I wouldn’t feel comfortable spanking them or yanking on their arm
in public, or in the privacy of our home. I mentioned before that children are
people too. I think that if I were in a situation where I needed to discipline
my child in public, say for example they were misbehaving on the playground and
hit a child. I would call them over, sternly (not yelling) ask them what they
did, tell them that it’s not nice to do that kind of thing, would they want
someone to treat them that way? Then I would sternly tell them to apologize and
we would LEAVE the playground. I think taking away any positive things from the
child after they have done something negative is punishment enough. They need
to know you are serious but I don’t think hitting them helps send the message
any better.
-
Unacceptable public punishment? Screaming at your child, hitting/spanking them,
calling them names, letting them scream and cry after being talked to, yanking
them by the arm, etc..
2. Sexual victimization
- Child
pornography: In Ohio it says that if the offender is 18 years or older and they
engage in sexual conduct with a person who is 13 years or older but less than
16 years, that they are reckless in that regard and guilty of unlawful sexual
conduct with a minor. This could be a felony in the 4th degree or if
the offender is less than 4 years older than the other person, it is a
misdemeanor of the 1st degree. Also, if the offender is 10 or more years
older than the other person, it
is a felony in the 3rd degree. If convicted could receive up to 8
years in jail and or a fine and will have to register as a sex offender.
- Sexting: In Ohio, a minor who is caught creating,
distributing or possessing
a sexually explicit image of a minor could be prosecuted under the State of
Ohio’s child pornography laws and if convicted, required to register as a sex
offender.
- When I think of
sexting, I usually think of couples who are away from one another who want to basically
have sex without having sex. So it involves masturbation as well as
communication with your partner via text messaging. It can but doesn’t have to
include pictures. I have heard of this term since I was in high school and
never really thought it was a problem but when I think about how naïve some
kids can be now a days, I guess it really has potential to be a big issue.
Perhaps the minor is “sexting” someone who they think is a cute boy or girl
they “met” online when really it could be a grown man or woman who is lying and
taking advantage of the child’s ignorance.
- Honestly
though, if it’s just between couples even if they are minors, I don’t think
there should be punishment. Let’s face it, some kids will have sex at a young
age whether they’re allowed to or not. Depending on the situation, I don’t
think punishment is necessary. However, if lying is involved as I mentioned
before or there is an issue of a minor with an adult, then I think punishment
would be justified.
3. From Ohio: In Cleveland, Ohio a man, Jason Dunikowski and
his wife Andreia Huffman were arrested for tying their 8 year old son to a
table and beating him. When police found him he had bruises all over, and a
broken nose. Due to the extreme discoloration of his hands, they assumed that
he had been tied up for a long time. The couple had eight other children
ranging in age from 3-17 and they were all removed from the home. The judge
barred the parents from seeing their children until everything was worked out
legally.
Yes, this has affected me differently simply because the
victims are children who are completely defenseless and innocent people.
4. Media aspect:
- This PSA shows how children are usually abused throughout
their childhood years, not just once or twice when they are younger. This also
shows how it can take a toll on their self esteem. This video shows a little
girl asking for her mother’s help and being abused. Then 8 years later it shows
them in an argument, hinting that abuse can go on for years and be very
damaging.
This is a website dedicated to helping victims of child
abuse and it gives a hotline for people to call. It gives information on laws, frequently asked questions and even shows events that the public can attend to further their knowledge on the issue of child abuse and find ways that they can help stop it.
http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline
