The following citations are from essays written by my Gr. 12 Psychology Class in 1998
The prevalence of child sexual abuse in today’s society has made education on this issue imperative. It is essential that we learn how to offer support and assistance to survivors and stop offenders.
Child sexual abuse is a sexual violation of the body by someone who has power over the individual. Sexual abuse is an abuse of power rather than an abuse of sex. The pleasure that the offender seeks is the pleasure of controlling an individual, not a sexual pleasure. The abuse can include leering, touching, masturbation, intercourse, fondling, oral sex, vaginal penetration with objects, or being forced to watch pornography.
Although reporting rates do not accurately reflect on the prevalence of abuse, more women than men report abuse. Research states that 25%-35% of girls are abused, 14%-20% of boys are abused, and 20%-40% of abused children are diagnosed with
disabilities prior to the abuse. The two ages at which female children are most likely to be abused are the ages four-to-five and eight years. Four-to-five year olds are beginning
to discover and touch their body parts. This might make abuse seem normal to them. Eight year olds are beginning to play difference roles, such as “mothers” and “teenage
girls” (who have husbands or boyfriends). This gives the offender the opportunity to initiate the abuse.
Most sexual offenders are heterosexual males whom the abused children know, trust, and often love.
The many effects of sexual abuse are: behavioural, physiological, emotional, psychological, and social. Behavioural effects include antisocial and self-mutilating behaviours, as well as the use of childlike gestures. Physiological effects include vomiting, eating disorders, bladder/bowel problems, ulcers, headaches and problems in pregnancy and birth. Emotional effects include difficulties maintaining intimate relationships, experiencing flashbacks and nightmares, and experiencing stress.
Psychological effects of abuse include the use of defence mechanisms: “splitting” and “zoning” (Multiple Personality Disorder), panic, sleeping disorders, and depression. Social effects include difficulties participating in relationships and sexual activities, being more likely to enter an abusive relationship, turning to prostitution, and difficulties
seeing doctors or dentists.
Many children refuse to report abuse because they feel guilty and confused. Also, children may feel disloyal to their offenders if they report the abuse.
Treatment for survivors varies from counselling to self-help, which includes books, support groups and websites. One effective method of counselling is derived from the “Feminist Theory,” which validates and empowers survivors rather than victimising
them.
We, as a society, must educate ourselves on the prevalence and seriousness of sexual abuse and on how to offer survivors the attention and assistance that they need.
Anyone who has lived through abuse is a survivor. There are no victims, unless others, mainly treatment providers and society perceive these individuals to be victims. It is societal views that can harm the survivor.
FAS is a relatively recent concept. Few scientifically validated studies exist on the subject. (In terms of psychological research, FAS falls within the purview of the educational psychological field). Accordingly, relevant practical information and classroom strategies can only be obtained from discussions and symposiums.
FAS is the effects that may become present in a child if the mother consumed alcohol during her pregnancy. The effects may be visible in the child’s physical appearance, cognitive functioning, and behaviour and social functioning. It is one of the leading causes of mental retardation.
FAS children can undergo severe mood swings, and become impulsive and uninhibited. They can be unpredictable and aggressive at times. They can be very self-centred; unable
to view a situation from another’s perspective.
There are facial malformations that are apparent in some children that are affected by FAS. There also may be abnormalities present in other parts of the child’s body, as well as in their internal organs. FAS children have visible damage done to their brains.
FAS children lack the ability to think about the consequences of an action and they have a difficult time generalising beyond a situation. This proves to be a major drawback as these children try to function in society. It also poses a large problem for teachers trying to work with these kids.
FAS symptoms are highly correlated with those of other childhood disorders, like Attention Deficit/Hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Because of this, many of the same treatment methods and teaching strategies re used to deal with both disorders. A child
with either disorder requires a great deal of consistency in both their home and school environments.
There is no specific treatment for FAS. Effective teaching strategies to assist with social skill building, and prevention programs, including awareness and education, are the ways
to deal with the problem. Effective teaching strategies involve a structured environment to promote consistency. Keeping things simple and predictable, through the use of daily schedules, avoids conflict and confusion for the child. These strategies allow the child to feel he/she has some control over their environment and feel safe. Clear expectations and rules with consistent consequences that are simply stated are crucial. Simplicity is the key as these children cannot understand complex explanations.
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There are a number of different situations which seem to cause a person to become suicidal. When suicide occurs there are many emotions involved, that effect the victim as well as their family and close friends. Many people who commit suicide do so on
impulse, and make no significant plans in advance. Others do plan their suicides, making preparations over a period of days, weeks, or months. Another method is mass suicides which is rare and usually due to religious beliefs. However, there are religions, such as Catholicism which tend to have the least number of suicides because of the fear of living forever in purgatory.
Along with substance abuse-related vehicular accidents, suicide is the leading cause of death among youth. Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay male, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual youth. The reason for this is because of the way society treats these individuals. Today’s teens also face a number of stressors including apathy, heterosexism, and violence.
A gender difference exists. Women have been found to be “attempters”, and men to be “completers.” In other words, men tend to use more lethal methods. Depression is commonly linked to suicide attempts.
When thinking about committing suicide, people tend to hide those feelings at home and at school. Although they may confide in their friends, they may often bind them to secrecy. The feeling a person gets when attempting suicide is relief because they feel that their pressures will be gone and that they will be in a better place. Suicide victims are looking for an escape from their problems. The general warning signs for a suicide
are when a person starts to mention the idea or give away important possessions. There are options for these individuals, such as crisis centres and hotlines.
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Alcoholism is clinically considered a psychological disorder. Viewed as a symptom of other disorders, it is commonly associated with a dependent personality. It is essential that therapy include the personality or psychological correlates, as well as the alcoholism itself.
A recent Ottawa study has concluded that while alcoholism in men has a genetic component, alcoholism is a learned condition in women. The social correlates, including choice and responsibility have far-reaching implications.
Treatment programs are frequently associated with alcoholism. A.A. is very popular. However, a number of alternative therapies are available. A.A. has been criticised for offering only an all-or-nothing solution, being suitable for only out-going, self-disclosing individuals. The program is also criticised for its inflexibility.
Alternative therapies consist of a pill/drug and flexible drinking patterns.
Schizophrenia is a clinically diagnosed mental disorder. It is the disorder which is popularly associated with insanity. Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit a number of
characteristics, including cognitive distortions, social isolation and emotional flatness.
Schizophrenia occurs in 1% of the population. Age of onset is 18 for men, whereas it is much later (35-40s) for women.
The most commonly held theory for schizophrenia lies in chemical changes in the brain. However, a diathesis-stress model is supported in terms of actual occurrence of the disorder. In other words, while the illness may have a genetic link, its actual occurrence also depends on environmental factors.
Future prospects for schizophrenics is not positive. Most schizophrenics are found in institutional settings, half-way houses or on the streets in large cities. Unfortunately,
society still does not place a high priority on accommodating the needs of these individuals.
Although new drugs have been developed, the symptomatology can’t be completely eradicated. There are side-effects; and remission periods do not last long for most individuals. This is not to say that there are not ‘functioning’ schizophrenics who
maintain jobs. But, higher functioning schizophrenics are quite cognisant of their illness, and depression and suicide are common.
Schizophrenics face a number of obstacles: the illness itself; society’s ignorance and subsequent negative view; the need for regular drug therapy; poor employment prospects. Aside from sheltered workshops realistically there are poor employment prospects.
