Story Starters: Violence Folder: School Violence File

Story Lead:
Support for Stressed-Out Parents

Brief Synopsis
"Jane had just moved to the area and was having trouble with her new job. At the same time, she found out she had cervical cancer. One morning, she was trying to wash her hair, but her child wouldn’t stop crying. She caught herself right before she hit the baby. Jane decided to get help. She didn’t want to abuse her children; she just didn’t know how to handle her emotions. Her doctor suggested Parents Anonymous. Jane attended a meeting and was relieved to find other parents who understood what she was going through because they were going through the same thing." This story was related by Jeanette Atikinson, executive director of the Massachusetts branch of Parents Anonymous, which is a parent led support group where parents learn alternative ways of handling problems with their children. "People need to understand that abuse is a cycle," says Atkinson. Well for hundreds of parents, Parents Anonymous can help break that cycle.

Program
Parents Anonymous Massachusetts
Jeanette Atkinson, Executive Director
140 Claredon St.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 267-8077

Story Contact
Jeanette Atkinson, Executive Director
Parents Anonymous Massachusetts
140 Claredon St.
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: (617) 267-8077

Expert Contacts
Dr. Robert M. Reece MD.
Director, Institute for Professional Education
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
399 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-587-1512
 
Betty Singer
LICSW, Chair, Child Protection Team
Children's Hospital
300 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-355-7995
e-mail: betty_singer@juno.com
Relevant area: abuse and neglect

Background
The earlier the parents are educated and given support for the birth of their child the less likely the parents are to treat the child poorly. (Healthy Families America Fact Sheet. Distributed by the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse. 322 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60604-4357. (312) 663-3520.)

Young, inexperienced, and poor parents with limited resources are at a high risk of abusing and neglecting their children. (Preventing teenage pregnancy. Virginia Child Proteen Newsletter, (Fall, 1997). 52, 9-15.)

Because abusive behavior is often cyclic, many health and developmental problems in early childhood can lead to behavioral, educational, and psycho-emotional problems in later adolescence and adulthood, which could lead to the recurrence of abusive behavior. NCPCA200 South Michigan Avenue, Seventeenth Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-4357. (312) 663-3520. FAX: (312) 939-8962. www.childabuse.org )

Community-based parent education and support programs have been shown to significantly reduce parental depression and stress. Researchers offer suggestions for improving parent education and support programs. (Whipple, E. E., Wilson, S. R. (1996). Evaluation of a parent education and support program for families at risk for physical child abuse. Families in Society – The Journal of Contemporary Human Services. Vol .77. Iss. 4. 227-239.)

75% of PA members' report that they had experienced some form of abuse or neglect themselves as children. (DelRossi, K. (Fall, 1997). Lifelines. Parents Anonymous Brochure. Parents Anonymous. The National Organization. 675 West Foothill Boulevard. 220. CA 91711-3475. Voice (909) 621-6184. Fax (909) 625-6304. http://www.parentsanonymous-natl.org )

Over 2.6 million cases of suspected child maltreatment were reported in 1991 in the U.S., and in the same year more than 4 children a day died from maltreatment. (Healthy Families America Fact Sheet. Distributed by the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse. 322 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60604-4357. (312) 663-3520.)

Young, inexperienced, and poor parents with limited resources are at a high risk of abusing and neglecting their children. (Preventing teenage pregnancy. Virginia Child Proteen Newsletter, (Fall, 1997). 52, 9-15.)

Every five hours a child dies from abuse or neglect, every 10 seconds a child is reported abused or neglected, every 1 minute a baby is born to a teen mother, and every 15 minutes a baby dies. (The Stand for Children Action Packet. (May, 1996). For copy, contact: Stand for Children. 1834 Connecticut Ave. NW. Washington, DC 20009. (800)663-4032. www.stand.org)

Related Coverage
Abel, K. (Apr. 1998). Words that hurt. The Boston Parents Paper.

Hill, J. L. (Apr. 10, 1994). Group helps parents deal with stress. Sunday Telegram.

LaBounty, G. (Apr. 1998). Group offers help, advice for parents. The Sun Chronicle

Lee, R. (Mar. 15/16, 1997). Former abuser cited for courage. The Patriot Ledger.

Scull, J. (Oct. 17, 1996). Support group helps lower the stress level of parenting. Burlington Union. p. 7.

Compiled by:
Karen Smille and Jess Goldberg

Posted: April 10, 1999
Updated: February, 15, 2000