Sarineh Merdrosians - Child Abuse

Child Abuse

               Civic engagement is encouraged to ensure that citizens are fully exposed to the issues happening

 within their respective communities. From the American Psychological Association, this is defined as the 

"individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern"("Civic 

Engagement"). Henceforth, to be involved in civic engagement, it is important foe these prospective 

participants to fully comprehend how they are planing to "engage" and tackle their chosen concern. 

Another supplementary definition of this would come from its alternative name: "Civic participation 

encompasses a wide range of formal and informal activities. Examples include voting, volunteering, 

participating in group activities, and community gardening" ("Civic Participation"). The emphasis for the 

second definition would be participating in activities themselves that are aimed towards being involved in 

the solution for a particular community-based concern.

                To extend these two definitions, it is imperative to fully comprehend what civic engagement 

means from a personal viewpoint. From my understanding, civic engagement also involves being fully 

passionate about the activity that one is involved in. Otherwise, there would not be any from of  

consistency in civic engagement if someone had chosen an activity that was not close to what they truly 

believe in. Civic engagement, moreover, should not set delineations between the person and community 

pursuits. These two definitions seem to imply that civic engagement can be fulfilled individually; while 

from a superficial perspective, this is correct, it does not hold bearing with the genuine meaning of civic 

engagement. As the name of the term suggest, civic engagement is only effective if people are able to 

comprehend the extent of how their actions affect the community they are in. Civic engagement would not 

be reasonable if it does not hold up for its expected or anticipated result.

                A major social issue that I have chosen to be engaged inn would be child abuse. This is a 

familiar and societal issue, especially because it challenges our contemporary perceptions of household 

stability. In the United States (US), child abuse is a pressing issue as it is found to have "one of the worst 

records among industrialized nation-losing on average between four and seven children every day to child 

abuse and neglect" ("Child Abuse Statistics & Facts"). This statistical measure does not include 

unreported cases, which means that the issue of child abuse has consistently been under inflated. While it 

may not be apparent to others, child abuse has long-term impacts on individuals who have experienced it. 

As it was reiterated in the same source, "Individuals who reported six or more adverse childhood 

experiences had an average life expectancy two decades shorter than those who reported none" ("Child 

Abuse Statistics & Facts"). This statement proves that child abuse should not be understudied; rather, it 

should be given more attention to because of its unprecedented consequences to people.

                Different states in the country report varying levels of child abuse. According to Statista in 

2018, New York and California reported the highest number of child abuse cases with 68, 785 and 63, 795 

reports respectively (Statista Research Department). In the same research, Texas, Michigan, and Florida 

followed through with the rates. To give a perspective on how drastic the issue is, the US scored a mere 

73.7 in providing a good environment for child safety and growth in comparison to other developed 

countries like the United Kingdom (UK) with 82.7 and Sweden with 81.5 (Lu). This difference shows that 

the United state should improve its child safety measures, especially when it comes to providing a safer 

environment for its children. The exploitation and abuse of children are considered as an essential concern 

to tackle, considering its long-term implications in social and communal wellbeing. Considering the 

country's developed economic status, it should not restrict itself in terms of implementing measures 

tackled from its root causes, proving that there is more space for community growth in the long-term.

                                                                  

Works Cited

“Child Abuse Statistics & Facts.” Child Help Organization, https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse-

        statistics/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

“Civic Engagement.” American Psychological Association, 

        https://www.apa.org/education/undergrad/civic-engagement. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

“Civic Participation.” Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 

        https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-

        health/interventions-resources/civic-participation. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

Lu, Joanne. “Here’s How Every Country Ranks When it Comes to Child Abuse and Child Safety.” UN     

        Dispatch, 18 Jan. 2019, https://www.undispatch.com/here-is-how-every-country-ranks-on-child-

        safety/.

Statista Research Department. “Child abuse in the U.S. - reported victims by state 2018.” Statista, 16 Jan. 

        2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/203841/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-state/.