Child Called It Essay Example

mother was resolved to take his life. In the sequel titled "The Lost Boy," it picks up right where "A Child Called 'It'" concluded, with David now in the care of the county.

Following a hospital visit, David finds himself in his first foster home where he gets acquainted with Aunt Mary and his caseworker, Ms. Gold (his guardian angel). Even though he's no longer residing with his mother, David discerns that she still exercises control over him. For authentic liberation, David needs to face his mother in court - an ordeal for him. Ultimately, he transitions into another foster home under the care of the Catanze family - this signifies a new chapter in his life. Nonetheless, he starts grappling with anger management problems which trigger a tumultuous phase characterized by defiance and engagement in unlawful activities.

During this period, David also grappled with the societal expectations of peer acceptance. His situation worsened when he was sent to Juvenile Hall for intentionally burning his classroom, compelling him to make the choice to reform and improve himself. This resolution resulted in his seclusion as he embarked on a quest for a new home.

In pursuit of a secure setting, David's probation officer suggested Alice and Harold Turnboughs as potential adoptive parents. With the Turnboughs began David's journey towards maturity; making informed choices and slowly evolving into an accountable adult.

Furthermore, it dawns on David that he has discovered a place he can confidently refer to as home and experiences genuine affection in the household of the Tunboughs.

The conflict theory posits that society operates in a way where each individual strives to maximize their benefits through conflict resolution. Conflict resolution

brings about societal changes. Within the context of family, the conflict theory explains the power dynamics between parents and children. Legitimacy, money, love, and physical coercion are the sources of power identified in this theory. In the case of the book A Child Called "It", physical coercion or child abuse is predominantly used as a source of power.

In The Lost Boy, the primary power source becomes love. This aspect of power can be observed when David's mother or his siblings use physical abuse to assert their control over him. Yet, the narrative also shines a light on how Mrs. Gold's love significantly influences him during his mother's court trial. As per the symbolic interaction theory, social interaction is how individuals derive meanings from things. There are two main components in this theory: the self-fulfilling prophecy and the notion of the looking-glass self. The self-fulfilling prophecy takes place when people act in accordance with what others expect from them.

David comprehends that it's time for his daily tasks as he waits in the basement for his mother's instruction to ascend. She would mislead others with fabricated narratives about him, depicting him as a mischief-maker. "Mother possesses the knack to convince the headmaster that David is merely a child with issues." This manipulation of perception led David to adopt the belief that he was problematic. The concept of looking-glass self refers to an individual's self-perception based on societal views.

He was also influenced by his mother. His mother would forcibly press his face against the mirror, demanding him to repeatedly say, "I'm a bad boy!" She induced David to believe that he was a troublesome child. These actions

constitute various forms of child abuse. If anyone is continuously subjected to such abuse over an extended period, it eventually becomes perceived as "normal" behavior. David's two older brothers also normalized the abuse by participating in it. "In the summer of 1972, they took turns assaulting me and seemed to derive pleasure from exerting their dominance." The two brothers believed it was acceptable to physically harm their younger sibling.

If a youngster believes that mistreatment is justified, they may consequently harm and penalize other children for their mistakes. A child with such beliefs stands a higher chance of growing into an adult who perpetrates child abuse compared to one who understands its harmfulness. The Power and Control diagram serves as a fundamental instrument in understanding the repetitive nature of abusive actions. In relation to David's situation, his mother utilized control via isolation, blame attribution, and emotional torment. She implemented several strategies to segregate him from family members and peers, including prohibiting outdoor playtime and compelling him to don old, malodorous garments designed to deter social interaction with other kids.

Despite Russell being merely four or five years old then, he had turned into what my mother referred to as her 'Little Nazi'... however, it wasn't his fault. I was aware that Mother had indoctrinated him. David felt so estranged from his so-called "family" that his mother would force him to stay in the basement or outside while they dined together. "I yearned to lift my gaze and watch them enjoy their meal, but I didn't bother. I belonged to an alternate universe. I wasn't even worthy of getting a glimpse of the better life." The emotional torment

inflicted by his mother haunted him for many years. When David was on the brink of joining the Air Force, he received a phone call from Mother.

She conveyed her wish for his optimal well-being, yet he discerned that his mother was merely manipulating his feelings. He yearned for his mother's affection for more than 18 years, aware that it would never be reciprocated. He reached the conclusion that she would remain unaltered. Although his father had stood up for David sporadically, he ultimately ceased advocating for him. David acknowledged that now, his mother possessed absolute power over every family member in their home. Various techniques can be employed to exemplify the characteristics inherent in child maltreatment, such as scrutinizing the books A Child Called "It" and The Lost Boy.

The application of conflict theory to the family reveals a power dynamic between parents and children. The self-fulfilling prophecy and the looking-glass self concept are key elements of symbolic interaction theory. This theory also highlights the impact of normalizing abusive behaviors. The Power and Control diagram serves as a vital tool in understanding patterns of abuse. Society has gained greater knowledge about child abuse over the years.