M1-Compare four theoretical models of child abuse
D1 – Evaluate four theoretical models of possible child abuse
The aim of this assignment is to enable learners to understand the theoretical models of child abuse and consider the implications of each model. There are many theories about why people abuse children and who are more likely to abuse. These models aren’t rules or laws and they may have flaws. I will be comparing and writing about these flaws and also where the models have a point and backing these up with cases of child abuse which have been in the media. The models that I will be describing, comparing and evaluating are the Feminist Model, the Social learning theory, Contextual and the Medical Model of abuse. I will also be talking about the attachment theory.
Firstly, the Feminist model. The feminist model of abuse explores an imbalance of power between men and women in society, and believes that the adult male power is responsible for abuse. It also says that men spend so little time with their children that it also amounts to neglect. This model stems from the historical idea that men are the main bread winners of the family, and that they therefore hold the decision making power which leads to intimate partner violence. This is then believed to directly or indirectly lead to the abuse of children. An example of this could be the Josef Fritzl case. Josef Fritzl is an Austrian man who was imprisoned in 2009 for locking his eldest daughter in the cellar, raping her and bearing 7 children from her. The police were alerted after 24 years of these goings on, as his daughters eldest child became severely ill, and his daughter persuaded him to take her to the hospital, where the doctors immediately knew something was wrong and called the police. When being questioned about these acts, his wife said that she had ‘had no idea’ that any of this was going on, and was devastated to hear of her husband's