Abusive Parents :: essays research papers

Researchers at the University ofToronto have taken important steps towardproducing a profile of an shameful p atomic number 18nt. Prof.Gary Walters and doctoral student LynnOldershaw of the Department of Psychology havedeveloped a body to characterize parents whophysically abuse their tykeren. This couldultimately allow brotherly service professionals toidentify parents in fry abuse. Over the last phoebe birdyears, Walters and Oldershaw, in collaborationwith Darlene Hall of the West End Creche, haveexamined all over 100 breeds and their three tosix-year-old children who have been physicallyabused. In the laboratory, the buzz off and childspend 30 minutes in structured activities such asplaying, eating and cleaning-up. The familyinteraction is video-taped and later analyzed. Theresearchers have developed a system whichallows them to record the effectiveness ofparenting skills. They are particularly interested in disciplinary strategies because abuse mostcommonly occurs when the parent wants the childto comply. "Its a straits of trying to determinewhich figure of parent produces which type of childor which type of child elicits which type of parentalbehaviour," explains Oldershaw. As a emergence oftheir work, Walters and Oldershaw have identifieddistinct categories of abusive parents and theirchildren. Harsh/intrusive mothers are excessively vulgar and constantly badger their child to behave.Despite the fact that these mothers humiliate and freeze off of their child, there are times whenthey hug, kiss or speak to them warmly. This typeof mothering produces an aggressive, disobedientchild. A covert/hostile mother shows no positivefeelings towards her child. She makes blatantattacks on the childs self-worth and denies himaffection or attention. For his part, the child tries toengage his mothers attention and win herapproval. An emotionally detached mother hasvery little involvement with her child. She appearsdepressed and uninterested in the ch ilds activities.The child of this type of mother displays nocharacteristics which set him apart from otherchildren. In order to put together a parentingprofile, the two researchers examine themother/child interaction and their cognizance andfeelings. For instance, Walters and Oldershawtake into account the mothers sense of herself as aparent and her impression of her child. Theresearchers also try to determine the childsperception of himself or herself and of the parent.Abusive parents are often believed to haveinadequate parenting skills and are referred to