Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect [Paperback]

Cynthia Crosson-Tower (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205287808 | ISBN-13: 978-0205287802 | Publication Date: June 2, 1998 | Edition: 4 Sub

The most comprehensive overview of child abuse and neglect available. The author, a former child protection worker, both teaches and practices in the field. Provides real-life case vignettes drawn from the author's own experiences. Covers all types of maltreatment including maltreatment, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and emotional abuse. Chapters are reorganized for a more logical progression from neglect to physical and sexual abuse.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here's what the reviewers are saying...

 

“I found the Crosson-Tower text to be superior in both breadth and depth of the topics covered. Combined with the positive responses I have received from my students I would not consider using any other text.”

— William M. McGuigan, Pennsylvania State University

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Every ten seconds a child is being abused or neglected. But while child abuse and neglect are not new, the problem has become monumental in today's society. But why? Perhaps we live in a more violent society, or maybe the child protection system is not working. This book explores the issues surrounding abuse and neglect from several vantage points, addressing both the problems and the possible solutions that are crucial to the proper protection of our children This book provides a comprehensive overview of child abuse and neglect. It covers recognition, case management, and treatment for abused and neglected children, adding real-life vignettes to bring the statistics to life. It details the history of child welfare, an overview of families that are both functional and dysfunctional, and contrasts healthy child development with development hampered by abuse and neglect. Every type of maltreatment is discussed, from neglect and physical abuse to emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. The book concludes by providing a discussion of prevention, along with a consideration of the future. Social workers, psychologists, social services professionals, and educators.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 4 Sub edition (June 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205287808
• ISBN-13: 978-0205287802
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive yes, up-to-date no..., March 18, 2004

By 

Holden (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect (5th Edition) (Paperback)

I agree that this is a very comprehensive text, presented in an easy-to-follow style. Chapters are logically laid out and interesting for the student of the subject.

However,(and this is a big however) this edition does not seem to be very updated for practice in 2004. It also is very American, so the sections on law have less applicablity for Canadian students.

Some examples of dated information can be found on page 238, which talks of the use of anotomically correct dolls for child interviews. The use of these dolls (in Canadian child welfare anyway) peaked in the early 1990's. Dolls are generally seen in the field as leading and interviews that still use them would be questionable in court.

Also on page 238, there are some interviewing tips that could be seen as somewhat leading. Page 216, makes passing reference to the "emergence of ritual abuse". Ritual abuse actually emerged in the 1980's and early 1990's and is not accepted as widespread, as originally had been thought. The ritual abuse panic of that period is a bit of an embarrassment for the field.

Since the late 1990's there has been a re-definition of practice in child protection (within Canada and in parts of the USA) that has re-focused child welfare on early intervention, early planning and permanency for children. This is in contrast to earlier attempts at family preservation at-all-costs and foster care drift. I think that this text book, although well written, has not been fully updated in this fifth edition. I see 1989 as the first edition date and 1993 as the second edition. I would hazard a guess that this text was very current in 1989 and 1993.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great text!, February 19, 2006

By 

Texas Psychologist (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect (6th Edition) (Paperback)

Crossan-Towers is a fabulous introduction to child abuse and neglect for undergraduates and graduates students alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars child abuse, July 23, 2010

By 

Cheryl Ruff - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect (6th Edition) (Paperback)

This is an excellent read for students and people who are just interested in the dynamics of the field of child abuse. It's very thoughtful, full of experience and expertise in all aspects of the subject matter.