Breaking the Cycle of Child
Abuse
by Lisa Dunning, MA, MFT
Children are the innocent victims of child
abuse, but sadly many abused children become abusers themselves. One
would think that the exact opposite would be the norm, but we are what
lived and if a child grows up with abuse, they are more likely to become
abusers themselves.
Why do those who suffer from
child abuse become abusers themselves?
Unfortunately they learned how to deal
with their anger and frustration through violence. Many children, who
are victims of child abuse, learn to be aggressive and violent to
others. They often have low self esteem and become involved in
relationships where there is domestic violence. Studies have revealed
that many inmates in prison have been victims of child
abuse. As children they learned how to deal with their problems
through violence. As adults that violence was perpetrated on other
innocent victims.
If we know that children of abusers
become future child abusers, then it obviously follows that many parents
who abuse their children were victims of child abuse themselves. I am
not trying to excuse abusive behavior, but knowing that an abuser today
typically had been abused as a child does help abusers realize that they
need to take the necessary steps to educate themselves about child abuse
so they can end the cycle of abuse with their children.
Victims of child abuse need counseling
and parenting education to help break the cycle. By providing parenting
education many of these parents will learn new and more appropriate
parenting skills. Counseling will also enable victims to heal from the
emotional pain they suffered.
Recognize the warning signs of child
abuse and taking action!
To prevent a child from harming
innocent victims we have to first educate the public on the warning
signs. If you see a child with unexplained bruises, constant school
absences without any explanation, or any change in a child's behavior,
take action. Too many times we often ignore the warning signs. Warning
signs that are clearly evident after horrible acts of violence, like
Columbine, are featured on our national news.
Child Abuse is Preventable With the
Proper Tools and Education.
Together parents, teachers,
counselors, administrators and even others students can help stop child
abuse. Together we all can break the cycle of child abuse.

Any of these articles by
Lisa Dunning, Family Therapist may be re-published in hardcopy
(magazines, newsletters or newspapers) or electronic format in websites,
ezines or electronic newsletters provided the following resource box is included at the end of the article with a
link to the URL
Lisa Dunning is a
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Specializing in
Parent/Child Relationship issues, the author of "Good
Parents Bad Parenting: How To Parent Together When Your
Parenting Styles Are Worlds Apart" and the host of her own
radio show, "Life Support". She provides marriage, divorce and parenting
phone
sessions to clientele across the United States and Canada and provides expert
parenting advice to newspaper & magazine columnists. To learn
more about Lisa Dunning visit her website at http://www.LisaDunningMFT.com. |