Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Distorted childhoods: the meaning of violence for children
Other Titles:	Social policy journal of New Zealand : te puna whakaaro
Authors:	Maxwell, Gabrielle Carroll-Lind, Janis
Keywords:	Impact on children and young people
Year:	1998
Publisher:	Ministry of Social Policy
Citation:	(10), June 1998
Notes:	Sought to examine children's perspectives on what is violent for them and the impact violent events have on their lives. 259 children aged 11-13 years from rural and urban regions in New Zealand were asked about 'bad things' that had 'happened to you' or 'you watched happening' and that 'hurt you' or 'made you afraid'. They were then asked: 'In all your life, what are the three worst things that ever happened to you?' The events most likely to be reported as among the worse were: someone close dying; being physically or emotionally bullied by other children; watching adults fight (this had happened to about half the children and for 10 per cent it was one of the 3 worst things that had ever happened to them); parents separating or divorcing (this had happened to over a third, and for 13% it was one of the 3 worst things). Being physically abused by adults was reported at some time by 16%, but only 4% reported it amongst the three worst things. The nature of the hurt identified by children was more often emotional than physical, and the scars that the children carried were not readily visible. Events that were witnessed and that happened to others often had more impact than violence directly experienced. The study identified a number of factors that give an event the character of violence for a child. These are: when the person hurt is someone they love; when events happen in the child's home; when the hurt is intentional; when the perpetrator is a trusted person; when the child feels partly responsible; when the child has no control; and when other bad things are happening.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/14238
ISSN:	1172-4382
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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