Definition of child abuse

The term "child abuse" emerged in the early 20th century as a way to describe the mistreatment and maltreatment of children. While the concept of protecting children from harm goes back to ancient times, it wasn't until the 1960s that child abuse became a widely recognized social issue. The term itself is a relatively recent addition to the English language. The phrase "child abuse" first appeared in print in the 1962 edition of the Merck Manual, a medical reference book. However, the term didn't gain mainstream use until the 1960s and 1970s as awareness of childhood trauma and neglect began to rise. The origins of the term "child abuse" can be traced back to earlier attempts to address child welfare. In the late 1800s, the term "neglected children" was used to describe children who were not receiving proper care and supervision. However, this term could also be interpreted as meaning children who simply lacked adult supervision, rather than those who were being deliberately mistreated. Over time, the term "child abuse" came to replace "neglect" as a more descriptive and accurate term. While neglect continues to be a form of child maltreatment, the term "child abuse" encompasses a range of behaviors, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Today, the concept of child abuse is well-established, and laws and policies exist to protect children from harm. While there is still work to be done to reduce the prevalence of child abuse and neglect, the awareness and resources available to address this issue have come a long way since the term "child abuse" first entered the lexicon.