While physical and sexual abuse are gaining the most attention and outrage from the public, emotional..?

Question

abuse and neglect are even greater problems. Since most cases go unnoticed and unreported, no one knows how many millions of children are being affected by these kinds of abuse. Studies say that mothers are just as likely to abuse their children as fathers are. In fact, the majority of physical abusers are mothers. Child abuse is not just found in lower class & minority groups but in every social and economic class of people. Even Christian parents are not immune from this problem. Christians are probably the most susceptible to emotionally abusing their children. It is the most subtle kind of abuse and most parents are not aware they are doing it.
What kind of abuse is subtle abuse, how do we describe it?
Would you say that scars left from emotional abuse often last longer and do more damage than those from physical or sexual abuse? What causes parents to become abusers? And do you agree that mothers are more likely to be the abusers than the fathers?

Answer 1

The hard part has to do with enforcement in this area. It is hard to determine a legal line of when someone is emotionally abusive and when they are not.

You're absolutely right that it can leave scars. Whether it is worse than other scars or better is impossible to gage.

This may be better asked in a psychology forum. I can take guesses as to the answer, but do not have actual studies to back it up.

Matt

Answer 2

Must people tend to ignore the physical abuse as it's not physical, not easily noticed. also it's hard to know what constitutes emotional abuse. so she called you a dummy, get over it. parents are usually abusive when their own parents were abusive. It's passed down. Also, mothers spend a lot more time with the children then fathers. More chance of abuse. I couldn't say which is more likely to do damage. It could depend on the child. their personality and how they look at the world.

Answer 3

This is a good question. I really can't say why mother's abuse or even kill their children. My guess would be selfishness of the worst kind. I think fathers physically and sexually abuse their children more than women do. But don't forget that there are other family members that sexually abuse children, and that's not to mention people who have no relation to the children.

Answer 4

While I find your question inviting and intersting, I also feel you asked it in the wrong category. It is more mental health than R&S. You may not get the answers you are seeking here.
I would rather get my A$s beat than to be emotionally abused. That raises another question....who detirmines what is emotionally abusive and what is not? What hurts me and scars me, will not hurt you. I am not being nasty...I can take alot. Some can't.
Hope you find what you are looking for...