Do the abused become the abusers?

Not always, and this is why Albert Bandura’s experiment is a theory. In fact, psychologists do not know why people abuse children, but they do know that some conditions make the abuse more likely. For example, most abusers do not know about child development so they do not know that crying is a normal behavior of a baby. Some do not know the age for a child to be toilet-trained and when the baby soils him/her self, the parent becomes enraged and abuses the child. Such parents are not mature themselves and do not think clearly.

While abused children are more likely to become abusers themselves, the majority of child abusers do not fit this mold. Other factors lead to parents abusing their children. Many parents are frustrated with their own lives and take it out on their children. Some stressors may include: money, work, alcoholism, psychological problems, isolation of family, and friends, etc.

If you know someone who is being abused or if you are being abused yourself, there is help. The number to call if you believe someone is being abused in the United States is 1-800-96-ABUSE. This is a toll-free, anonymous number and a social worker will be sent to evaluate the situation.