We usually associate child abuse with sexual abuse, but abuse is not always in that category alone. Child abuse includes verbal, emotional, physical, psychological and sexual abuse. But, it is not really recognized as an issue in most households, especially when it is verbal, emotional or physical.

Children are very often an adult's favorite punching bag, and most of us would remember being shouted at or being beaten as a child.

In fact, the age old adage "Spare the rod and spoil the child" is often taken literally and seriously. Many adults sincerely believe that unless a child is put in its place, with scolding and spankings, he or she is likely to grow up as an incompetent, spoilt adult.

Also Read: To Spank or Not to Spank

Why do people abuse children?

What is it that drives a fully-grown mature adult into targeting small vulnerable children, who are no match for any adult? Most adults who abuse children do so either because of being under severe stress themselves (and where yelling or trashing the child helps them to release pent up tensions), or because of having a low self-esteem.

Lacking in self-esteem and confidence, lashing out at children gives such adults a feeling of superiority. Many others have a genuine psychological problem and are unable to control their feelings, while many others do so, because they themselves have been abused as children.

Those adults who have themselves been subjected to abuse as children often carry on this behavior with their children, believing that this is the right way to bring up children.