Institutional Perception and Recognition of Child Abuse in Early Childhood

Abstract

The study presents theory as well as practical results of research on the perception and recognition of child abuse. My survey targeted early childhood educators and parents (regardless of the age of the children): 378 teachers and 110 parents were included in the sample. One of the aims of the research was to explore the experiences of professionals already in the field: how the forms and levels of the education/training received relate to self- reported preparedness and attitudes to the topic. I also examined parents’ awareness, attitudes, and parenting habits. 34% of early childhood educators surveyed believe that further training about child abuse is necessary and 25.5% are dissatisfied with the information  they have gained during their studies on the subject. When examining age and years of experience as a teacher, as well as attitudes toward abuse, the older age groups and longer-serving professionals rated some forms of abuse as more severe than their younger and/or junior colleagues. Data on the parents’ attitudes show that slapping and shouting at the children is a highly divisive issue.