The Ideology of “Normal Punishment” and Child Abuse: A Functionalist Perspective
This essay looks at how the ideology that “normal punishment” is legitimate has contributed to child abuse, from a sociological perspective. It discusses how different social institutions like families, schools and neighbors can contribute to child abuse through the socialization of children, and also how they can contribute through direct maltreatment (e.g. physical abuse, emotional maltreatment, neglect).