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Child Abuse and Neglect - Dynamics and Underlying Pattern

NCJ Number
92701
Journal
Victimology Volume: 8 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1983) Pages: 105-112
Author(s)
R Wolff
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The author's focus is a critical concept of child abuse and neglect bringing together conceptualizations of the victim or the sacrifice, notions which are central in the process of modern civilization.
Abstract
The history of civilization is understood as the formation of the self, whereby the introjection of the sacrifice -- establishing the consciousness of guilt feelings -- plays a major role. Child abuse and neglect can be understood as a blind attempt to reestablish the Self by eliminating the Other which is threatening the abuser's fragile identity. Child abuse arises out of a situation of powerlessness, though in relation to a child there is always an asymmetry of power. (Author abstract)

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