Developmental Psychology

o The United States, rates are higher than any other country. Some reasons include:  Lower socioeconomic statuses are typically shunned and not given the same opportunities as higher socioeconomic status families  Less social support for the parents  Lack of emphasis on what is actually best for a child  Lack of close family ties/less family to help support  Lack of parental education such as what to expect from a child and how to teach a child o A non-flexible routine may lead to abuse and neglect o Less than 10 percent of parents show pathology o There are consequences of Maltreatment  Possible learning disabilities  Poor self-esteem  Continuing a bad cycle  Emotional control o Prevention of Child Maltreatment  Parental education  Better job opportunities  Change in societal support for parents • Daycare o Previous inclinations were that daycares did not influence a child’s development. There have been changes in these thoughts and children who attend preschool of a good quality will become higher achievers. There is also a decreased chance that children would have to repeat a grade. o Preschool aged children have improved social skills, but showed more aggression towards others, and become less polite. • Divorce o The United States is known for having the highest divorce rate in the entire world. o Divorce has a negative effect on children due to the disruption of the family dynamics. o Children may show emotional pain and distress for a while after a divorce o Children do eventually adjust, but at certain points. May even last into adulthood. o Some children may have a hard time coping due to the creation of instability in the household. The better the stability, the better a child may be able to cope with a divorce.

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