Foreclosure Crisis has Seen Uptick in Abuse of Toddlers Mainly by Male Caretakers
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The foreclosure crisis has seen an increase in toddler abuse with many being hospitalized and some dying. The increase in toddler mistreatment was discovered due to a new study published that studied the occurrence of this type of abuse in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington. This study has appeared in several publications, including the Pediatrics journal. Federal data, however, contradicts the findings of the recent research mostly because of restrictions on the definition of the word ‘abuse’.
The exact explanation for this recent occurrence has difficult to pinpoint. Dr. Rachel P. Berger, of the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh– a co-author of the research and an expert in child abuse- said that, with limited income, many mothers have been compelled to leave their babies with people who generally do not look after them well, such as fathers or male baby sitters.
She said, “The number one perpetrators are the fathers and male caretakers. Very few perpetrators are mothers. It’s the people that mothers give their kids to that end up being the perpetrator”.
Psychologist Elizabeth Gershoff of University of Texas said that the tender age of the victims indicate that crying may have triggered off this violence. If a baby is shaken too violently, it may result in “shaken baby syndrome” where the brain hits the skull, causing damage and bleeding to it.
There are five reasons that make babies cry – hunger, tiredness, boredom, pain or the need for a diaper change. If none of these causes are there, it is alright to ignore a baby’s cries as long as the child is safe. Gershoff advised baby sitters to take a break from the crying, walk around a bit and then return after calming down oneself.
Berger did not fail to take a hit at the government for not doing anything to help those parents who are at a disadvantage to cope with the hardships of toddler abuse. She said, “We have actually increased this stress by decreasing programs to help infants and young children”. Berger, in this statement, was referring to cuts in spending on daycare and other such benefits for children.
In a human society, when there are times of stress, as in the instance of a hurricane, help is usually provided to those in need. Today, we are in a dire situation-an economic recession. What is our government doing to help us now? The government is walking reverse gear and pulling back help, Berger said. It’s high time serious thought is given to what the outcome will be when programs meant for infants and little ones are cut.
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