Child and Elderly Abuse in Contemporary Society

Introduction

There is considerable controversy surrounding child and elderly abuse in contemporary society. Although the general public acknowledges the negative effects such actions have on victims and society as a whole, numerous cases are reported every year. In many communities, there appears to be a silent acceptance of abuse's occurrence. Perpetrators often justify their behavior by citing the stress their victims inflicted on them before the violent event, claiming they could no longer control themselves. The following two cases of abuse demonstrate how pervasively violence operates within the social order, making intervention difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible.

Adrian Peterson, a running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League, was indicted for child abuse after physically abusing his four-year-old son. During a visit to Texas, Peterson grabbed a branch from a tree, removed its leaves, and used the stick to strike the child, who was living primarily with his mother in Minnesota. The beating left marks on the child's buttocks, legs, arms, and hands, and the boy was struck in the scrotum. Peterson also sent text messages to the child's mother describing the treatment he administered.

Child Abuse: The Adrian Peterson Case

The 6-foot-1-inch, 217-pound NFL player employed a disciplinary method still in use in many households today. During the investigation, Peterson cooperated with authorities and demonstrated a complex understanding of the situation and the wrongfulness of his actions. In a statement he later provided, Peterson acknowledged: "I truly regret this incident. I take full responsibility for my actions."

For those who have never deliberately inflicted physical pain on their children, such cases are deeply disturbing. The fact that this practice is ancient and remains widespread provides no justification for its modern application. Psychologists, sociologists, and researchers who study child behavior, child-rearing practices, and the effects of childhood abuse on adult development consistently warn of the long-term psychological and developmental harm these actions cause.

While children are often the victims of abuse, they are not the only vulnerable population. The elderly face similar risks, particularly because of their physical weakness and, in some cases, diminished mental capacity with age. Caregivers are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these individuals; however, in some cases, they harm those they are meant to protect.

Elder Abuse and Caregiver Neglect

A February 2014 case starkly illustrates the extremes to which some perpetrators will go. Police discovered 75-year-old Marie Bois Belfort in a basement bedroom with the thermostat turned off and the temperature reading 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite being paid for her services, 48-year-old registered nurse Sandra Calixte Lucien showed little interest in Belfort's wellbeing. The caregiver left Belfort in inhumane conditions and claimed she deserved credit for any help she had provided. Lucien appeared unable to distinguish between genuine care and mere survival.

Both children and the elderly are vulnerable to abuse because they lack the physical strength to resist their abusers and are more likely to engage in behaviors that frustrate their caregivers or guardians. Their limited ability to recognize when they are misbehaving makes it difficult for them to avoid triggering responses they perceive as punishment. These shared vulnerabilities create similar patterns across different types of abuse cases, suggesting that risk stems not from victim characteristics alone but from the structural dependence that defines these relationships.

Most caregivers respond to unwanted behavior through scolding or explanation, seeking to help the person understand why an action was problematic. Others resort to physical violence. These perpetrators are typically frustrated and unable to fully comprehend the impact their violent actions have on their victims. Frustration can drive individuals to commit acts they themselves cannot fully understand or process, breaking down the psychological barriers that normally inhibit harmful behavior.

Vulnerability and Patterns of Abuse

Abuse is alarmingly common today, and the number of victims continues to grow. This reality persists despite society's presumed advancement toward greater civility and widespread awareness of abuse's devastating effects. To create meaningful change, intervention must occur gradually and must focus on diverse strategies to reduce abuse and influence those within communities to acknowledge and act on the documented harms of such violence. Individual accountability, combined with community awareness and support for vulnerable populations, offers the most realistic path forward.

Works Cited

Frustration, Violence, and Comprehension

Haynes, V. "Stoughton police: Woman charged in 'worst case of elder abuse'." Retrieved February 25, 2015.

Conclusion and Path Forward

"Vikings star Adrian Peterson avoids jail time in child abuse case." Retrieved February 25, 2015.