Classmate, let's chat about abuse

Author: (USA) Murfson Kranz
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Middle school life has more challenging academic tasks and more issues than ever before: developing learning abilities, understanding relationships with parents, making new friends, establishing consumer concepts, adapting to physical development, facing social phenomena, and handling various social relationships... These are all parts of the busy middle school life. If middle school students are compared to a growing tree, each book in this series is like a magnified branch that the tree might grow during its development, offering related advice. The quality of how these branches are pruned directly affects whether the tree can grow healthily. Adults such as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and teachers represent authority and safety in the eyes of children, so children trust them. However, what should we do when adults violate this trust? Sometimes, parents' "advice" turns into beating or cursing; sometimes, aunts and uncles' "affectionate" actions make you feel uncomfortable; some parents dote on their children but never give them opportunities to be independent; some parents are too busy with their own lives and neglect their children for long periods; some children, feeling unloved by their parents, vent their emotions and grievances in various opportunities and settings. This book analyzes common forms of abuse and their negative impacts on teenagers, including clarifying misunderstandings about "abuse," defining physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse, and encouraging self-help and mutual support among teenagers. The experiences of several American middle school students who endured abuse and eventually found relief vividly illustrate these issues. Although the book describes American social phenomena, it offers valuable insights for our teenagers—helping them when they face difficulties in their relationships with adults and preparing them for encountering "wolves in sheep's clothing." Moreover, it raises awareness that abuse not only includes actions that cause children to feel pain but also excessive care that children may not consciously perceive but has a significant subconscious impact. Since all forms of abuse deprive teenagers of genuine human care, their wounded psychological state may become an obstacle to success when they enter society.