Correlation Exists Between Economic Troubles, Rise In Child Abuse
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
As parents struggle to make ends meet in these troubled economic times, some are taking out their frustrations on their kids – leading to a spike in child abuse. NY1's Cheryl Wills filed the following report. As the holiday season approaches, there is very little to cheer about when it comes to the economy. New York lost nearly 14,000 private sector jobs in October and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in New York City dropped to 5.7 percent.
But perhaps the worst news is what you do not hear about on Wall Street: a troubled economy often sparks a rise in child abuse cases. Officials with the New York Center for Children on the Upper East Side say they see a growing number of frustrated parents taking their anger out on their kids.
"I think a lot of it has to do with the stress at home," said NYCC Director Dr. Edward Greenblatt. "It's very difficult to deal with and many times parents take it out on their children and so it's very important for parents to be aware of how the stress is affecting them."
According to the National Child Abuse Coalition, research has long demonstrated a correlation between increased rates of unemployment and higher rates of child maltreatment.
In New York City, statistics show one in three children experiences abuse by the age of 18. Most often the perpetrator is someone the victim knows and trusts.
The New York Center for Children provides support to child abuse victims and their families. Experts there say parents should be aware of the warning signs.
"When they feel as though everything that is occurring, in terms of the behavior of the child is annoying them, they snap at the children," said Greenblatt of one of the signs. "Maybe they feel somewhat depressed, have difficulty sleeping, all those are signs that the economy is playing a significant role in their family and the way a family functions."
Pilar Guzman is the editor in chief of the lifestyle parenting magazine Cookie. She says her readers are very concerned about the economic climate and the impact it can have on children.
"I think everyone is feeling scared," Guzman said. "I think mostly because we don't see an end in site, and I think uncertainty makes grownups and children very anxious. And I think grown ups in particular don't deal well with uncertainty."
The New York Center for Children also offers support groups and crisis intervention. For more information, visit their website or call 212-517-3012. You can also check out CookieMag.com for more on how other parents are dealing with the stress.