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Different Types of Abusive Family Relationships | Troubled Teens


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Troubled teens and abusive family relationships go hand-in-hand in some cases. There are many different types of abusive family relationships. The abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal and often times is a combination of multiple forms of abuse. Violence within families can affect anyone, regardless of religion, color, or social standing. Family violence occurs in both wealthy and poor families as well as single-parent and two-parent households.

Physical abuse is often the most obvious form of abuse. Physical abuse may consist of hitting, shaking, burning, pinching, biting, choking, throwing, whipping, paddling, beating, and other acts of causing physical injury or producing significant physical pain to someone. Most abusive parents use physical cruelty as a way of "discipline." Discipline or not, physically bashing your child is abuse nonetheless. Both girls and boys can experience abusive physical punishment from a parent. However, male children are known to be physically abused more often than female children. Sexual abuse is specific form of physically abuse. Sexual abuse is considered any type of sexual contact between a significantly older individual and a younger individual or sexual contact between two individuals that was not consensual. Sexual abuse within families is referred to as incest and should be reported immediately.

Emotional abuse is one form of abuse that is difficult to pinpoint because there are no physical indications of abuse. Although expressing anger can sometimes be healthy, there comes a point when the expression of ones anger has gone too. Emotional abuse within families is present when a parent constantly belittles, threatens, or dismisses their child until the child's self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged and often times nonexistent.

Neglect is a form of abuse that takes place when the basic needs of a child are not met by their parents or caregivers. Physical neglect is a form of physical abuse that occurs when a parent or caregiver fails to provide their child with the adequate food, housing, clothes, medical care, or supervision. Emotional neglect is when a parent fails to provide emotional support or deliberately and consistently pays very little or no attention to their child. Emotional neglect differs from physical neglect in the sense that all physical needs of the child are being met. However, neither form of neglect is better or worse than the other.

Troubled Teens Experiencing Different Types of Abusive Family Relationships May Find Security and Healing in One of the Many Treatment Options Recommended by Therapy Insider

There is no one reason as to why abuse takes place, although there are many factors that can help determine the likelihood of someone becoming abusive. Growing up with abusive family relationships, for example, can teach someone that abuse is a way of life. Fortunately, though, many people who grow up in abusive families realize that abuse is not acceptable and are able to break patterns of abuse. It is vitally important for children and families dealing with abusive relationships to understand that they are not alone and that help is available. Our child placement experts are extremely knowledgeable in finding the absolute best possible solution for someone suffering from the effects of abuse.