Injuries inflicted in childhood may result in permanent crippling, deformity. Parents who habitually abuse their children may very well end up killing them. Hundreds of such cases happen every year in the United States. We know that child abuse is a symptom that can be treated successfully, eased, prevented or the cause cured. But first, more people have to understand and care.
Parents are the most frequent child abusers.
Parents who can't relate well to other adult may expect children to take care of parents, satisfy their need for love, protection, self-esteem. Many abusive adults were mistreated themselves as children and have a poor, self-image. Such problems limit parental ability to care properly for children. Bruises, welts, burns. Parents may seem unconcerned, deny that anything is wrong, or give unlikely explanations for the injuries.