rs of age, but the majority of fatalities are inflicted by parents in the 16 to 20 year old age bracket(Justice 74). Four factors often used to identify abusers are "loneliness; rigidity; problems with self-image, family and friends; and lack of social skills and self-control. Rigidity and problems with self-image were the strongest indicators of potential abuse among these factors"(Justice 77). Economic status seems to play a large role in contributing to child abuse. According to the Child Protection Service, all of the families in their program are considered financially unstable, less than half hold jobs, 38% receive public assistance, and 13% live with an unemployed partner(Janko 56). According to a study done by the Children's Defense Fund in 1990, "The United States had the highest percentage of children living in poverty of 8 industrialized nations. The poverty rate among children in our country was 2 to 3 times that of most other countries studied"(Janko 59). Though poverty and child abuse are undoubtably connected, income is no excuse for abuse. Occasionally, as in the case of David Peltzer, a parent will mistreat only one child, while exercising adequate care for its siblings. A closer evaluation of this questionable home life would have eliminated many of the disastrous results. Once the cycle of abuse is begun, it often keeps spinning, out of control. Therefore the key is not found so much in stopping the cycle, but in the prevention of its occurrence. Teens should be educated about parenting skills in school, before pregnancy. When it is determined that a child is pregnant, she should undergo more extensive counciling to prepare her. The expecting parents should be trained to receive substantial jobs to support their families.In the event that a parent escapes the application of this knowledge, children should be closely evaluated by other adults who keep them. Children are taught by their parents to hide e...
