Unethical Child Abuse

1868 Words8 Pages
Think of a seven year old child walking into a classroom. Normally a pretty happy student, he participates in the classroom and focuses on his work. But, on this day the child comes in very moody, unhappy, doesn't really want to do anything, and seems hurt by something. The teacher asks the child what is wrong but the child gives no reply. Thinking that he may be sick the teacher takes the student to the nurse. While the nurse examines the child she lifts up his shirt to find red marks and purple bruises all over his back. Both the nurse and the teacher are shocked by their findings, but the child seems quite upset over the whole ordeal. Knowing the child’s problem now she must file a report for abuse immediately. Now knowing that this child…show more content…
As an example, if a teacher were to helped putting a stop to the abuse going on in the child's life, but failed to help provide the child with emotional support like therapy, the later effect of this could be depression or emotional problems, or drug or alcohol abuse. All of these later effects could possibly be avoided by providing the child with whatever support is necessary. Failing to do so would be, in this case unethical, because the teacher would have failed to look at the later effects of his or her actions. "A teacher may be the only adult in a child’s life to consistently provide emotional support, structure, and discipline and show the child a worldview of trust, achievement, and hopefulness." (Florida Department of Education) Though some might see this as interfering with the child's personal life, a teacher’s ethical and moral duty is to help each and every one of the students in any way possible. If teachers, “expand their personal role, it could increase their effectiveness as an educator and diminish the physical and emotional pain of their most vulnerable students. Maltreated children often lack advocates, and some fall through the community safety net of services." (Florida Department of Education) Not being there to support their students, especially when dealing with traumatic events, can be a failure for both…show more content…
Depression, mental disorders, physical problems, and failure in relationships and future jobs are all examples of what can happen to children after dealing with abuse. So it is important for teachers to be able to provide early intervention to the student as soon after the abuse is discovered. Teachers, counselors, principals, and the other classroom students all have a role in impacting the child while he or she is at school. Often, neither the teacher nor the children in the classroom are aware of the circumstances surrounding the abusive situation. Therefore, they unknowingly influence the child who has experienced abuse. Children who have experienced abuse are more susceptible to the influences, both positive and negative, of their classmates and teachers. If children do not feel completely safe while they are at school, they will have trouble focusing and learning, which will impact the education they receive. For example, a child who has been abused may be an easy target for bullies due to lowered self-esteem and vulnerabilities. If teachers allow such negative interactions between students, they contribute to yet another abusive environment that the child must endure. In contrast, if teachers promote a positive classroom climate, students learn acceptance of others. Schools are supposed to be a safe haven for learning and teachers are obligated to provide this. As seen within
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