Research for Child Abuse

They should inclued it with the pre-birth classes. As far as having every expecting person attend, I don't think so. What about their second and third child? Would they have to attend each time? I think it is a good idea but manditory courses don't usually fly.

I think you would have to be careful about how specific it got. You figure, you have AP's, Grace-based, spankers, 1-2-3, method and a number of different forms of parenting, none of which are specifically wrong, and none of which are exclusively right. You would have to be careful not to push any one specific style, or condemn any one specific style of parenting. General knowledge, such as, if a baby is constantly crying to put them in a crib and walk away for 10 minutes, would be good. Especially since some people feel they are bad parents if they do this. Also, a good class on the nature and helps for Post pardum depression would be a must. But, my main concern, and if I read about a class, would be that they would try to push an all time-out or grace based discipline approach on me. Whereas, someone else may have concerns that they would push spanking, or some other method on them. Am I making any sense?

Katydid - I agree. It would be very difficult to have something compulsary that pushed one method. But if it wasn't compulsary it would probably be the people who really needed it that wouldn't want to go.

I have a slight problem with incentive based courses, as it focuses on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, and is more or less bribary. It may be appropriate in some situations, and possibly there is a link with child abuse (or reported child abuse), but I think as a government policy it is a bit of a concern. It assumes the only people who need fixing are those who need money, as they are the ones who are most likely to do it out of the desire for money..... still thinking through it..... we have it over here for immunisation, and that works well, but I'm not sure I would like to see it for something like this...

One thing that we got told by and early childhood worker is that when patting a child never let the heel of your hand leave their back, so you can't pat too hard, and when pushing a pram never let go. This was apparently a way of not getting rougher and rougher each time, and progressing toward abusive behaviour, especially if you are dealing with a screaming baby.

I think the problem with doing it in prenatal classes is that it is not what people are there to listen to. They are interested at that stage at pushing, and drugs, and breathing, and stuff like that. Even the breastfeeding stuff was hard to take in before the baby came along. I am not sure that it would stick in peoples minds enough.... That being said, I am not sure how else you could do it....

I know that at military hospitals (or at least the two I have gone to for babies) we were required to go to a "briefing" (yes this was spouses). At this briefing they discussed how the OB's and midwives at the hospital worked, or for my second, how it worked for us going off post. The briefing was 4 hours with two breaks. You couldn't get an appointment unless you were there. They also discussed the basics of parenting. Never shake a baby. If you get angry, place the baby in a safe place, crib or playpen, and walk away for 10 minutes. Etc. etc. So that is how the military manages it. BUT they do not in any way discuss future parenting aspects. It is all about new babies. The military also has a New Parent Support Group that anyone can be involved in. Though I don't know how any of that would go over in a civilian setting.

As a parent of two adopted children who were neglected and abused, I definately think we should have mandatory parenting classes. We need a license to drive a car, but not parent a child. You can wreck a child just as easily as you can wreck a car.

I think the classes would need to include a wide spectrum of issues such as: diapering, nutrition, sleeping, colic babies, accessing support, etc., not just various parenting styles. I do think that the difference between abuse and discipline need to be addressed. It is amazing how many people are unclear where the line is drawn. That is why we have the problem in the U.S. that we do. And I think people need supplied with an alternative outlet if a problem arises, before they run into trouble. Too many people (especially young people), aren't equipped to become parents. I think taking a class like this would be just another way of preparing, getting the supplies necessary to raise your child.

I don't know why anyone would find this offensive. I think it should be presented as instructive and informative. Yes, people raise their children different ways and the various styles can be presented. Just giving people information and alternatives can open a wide range of hope and possibility. I think I'm a good parent, but I would go through a mandatory class if I knew it could prevent another child from the possibility of abuse.

The problem is where and when to implement the classes. There are girls and women who plan to give their child up for adoption and change their minds after they have the baby. There are people who don't bother to go to their prenatal appts. The only ones who would show up at the 'mandatory" classes are the ones who are interested. We can't hold people against their will and force them to stay in a class if they are planning to give up their child. We can't ask all parents to come to a class right after the baby is born and they are completely sleep deprived. How would you ensure that EVERY parent got the classes? That is the main concern. I completely agree that it is a wonderful concept. It is the implementation that would cause problems.

I believe that would be a great idea, I think it should be taught in the classes you take when your pregnant. They also need a class that teaches you how to cool your anger and not take it out on you kids, I have a hard time yelling at Seth when I'm upset and then relize it and hug him thankfully he doesn't know anybetter and just laughs at me.

Those classes could be very beneficial in preventing abuse, but along with it, if this is something that is being mandated at the state level, then there also needs to be support services made available to the public.

The overall goal should be to keep families intact whenever possible. Of course, there will be some cases where this cannot be allowed, due to the extreme nature of the kinds of abuse taking place. But, if this kind of abuse could be prevented in the first place, initially with education then with the availability of ongoing counselling/support services for parents going through different life crises....that could make a tremendous difference for families.

I certainly am one who thinks that the answer isn't in finding more "foster" families, but rather finding ways to help families who are under stress to find ways of coping and dealing with their issues, rather than resorting to violence and thus tearing their families apart.

Just my 2 cents!

Why Put "foster" Families In Quotes...it Sounds Like You Are Talking About Something Bad. I Am Going To Be A Foster Parent Next Year, I Think The Answer Is To Try To Keep The Families Intact, However Unfortunately That Doesnt Always Happen...and That Is When The Foster Parent Is Needed.

How About On The Job Training? Have A Nurse Or Another Professional Come To The House After The Baby Is Born, And Teach The First Time Parents How To Deal With Being A Parent. Just A Thought.