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Child abuse policy in the United States contains dangerous contradictions. The rapidly expanding child abuse industry (made up of enterprising psychotherapists and attorneys) consumes enormous resources, while thousands of poor children are seriously injured or killed, many while under the "protection" by public agencies. Meanwhile, the public child abuse system has become a virtual "nonsystem," marked by a staggering turnover of staff, unmanageable caseloads, a severe shortage of funding, and caseloads composed of highly dysfunctional families. In The Politics of Child Abuse in America, the authors argue that child abuse must be viewed as a public safety problem, and that children must have the same legal protection as physically and sexually abused women. By creating a "Children's Authority," proposes the author, this group would have the overall responsibility of protecting children. Offering a unique perspective on the cold reality of this crisis, The Politics of Child Abuse in America will be a provocative work for social workers and human service personnel, as well as the general reader concerned with this timely issue.
Arguing that child abuse must be viewed as a public safety problem, and that children must have the same legal protection as physically and sexually abused women, the authors of this cutting-edge piece of historical reportage and social research offer a unique perspective on the realities of this pandemic and personal American crisis. The Politics of Child Abuse in America will be a provocative book for social workers and human service personnel, as well as the general reader concerned with this timely issue.