Parental Behaviour

PARENTAL BEHAVIOUR

Sometimes a parent’s demeanor or behaviour sends red flags about child abuse. Warning signs include a parent who:

• Shows little concern for the child
• Appears unable to recognize physical or emotional distress in the child
• Denies that any problems exist at home or school, or blames the child for the problems
• Consistently blames, belittles or berates the child and describes the child with negative terms, such as “worthless” or “evil”
• Expects the child to provide him or her with attention and care and seems jealous of other family members getting attention from the child
• Uses harsh physical discipline or asks teachers to do so
• Demands an inappropriate level of physical or academic performance
• Severely limits the child’s contact with others
• Offers conflicting or unconvincing explanations for a child’s injuries or no explanation at all
• Although most child health experts condemn the use of violence in any form, some people still use corporal punishment, such as spanking, as a way to discipline their children. Any corporal punishment may leave emotional scars. Parental behaviours that cause pain or physical injury — even when done in the name of discipline — could be child abuse.

Cited from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/basics/symptoms/con-
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