Sounds of Abuse Physical abuse goes beyond the limits of discipline practices which include minor spanking or paddling by being more frequent and by inflicting more physical damage. Legal criteria for physical abuse typically require observable physical evidence of dam age in the form of bruises, cuts, broken bones, scars, and skin abrasions. Causes Doing serious physical damage to one's own child goes against the legal, social, and moral standards of society, as well as biological instincts. Most parents who physically abuse their children know this. There is no single reason.
Some parents are unable to control their own anger about some aspects of their lives.
Abusing their child becomes a twisted way of expressing that anger. Parents under high levels of economic stress who have no social support systems can become overwhelmed with the responsibilities and challenges of parenting. Unwed, low-income, teen mothers are at high risk for abusing their young child. Some parents were physically abused as children and are especially likely to vent psych ological stress on their children. Effects on the Child Children who experience physical abuse over a long period of time often develop long-term psychological problems.