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Emotional Abuse: Words Can Hurt

NCJ Number
108992
Author(s)
M R Brassard; S N Hart; T Novak
Date Published
1987
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Use of harsh words by adults can cause emotional damage in children.
Abstract
This illustrated pamphlet looks at negative ways that adults interact with children that can result in emotional damage. Emotional abusers of children include parents who believe that too much praise will spoil their children and instead call them names and make them feel unwanted; teachers who criticize and put students down hoping to make them behave or get better grades; and a parent who physically abuses a spouse, an act which teaches children that the way to deal with problems is to hurt someone. It is recommended that parents and other adults who find themselves hurting children stop to think about their actions, take time out when angry, talk to a trusted friend about the problem, and take a parenting or discipline class to improve their life skills. To prevent emotionally abusing children, adults should spend time with them, be dependable, protect them against witnessing parental violence, verbally show appreciation for their abilities, teach them to cope with failure, help them think about and solve their own problems, and respect their feelings and thoughts. Drawings.