Hey! What just happened? That probably didn't feel great. That's because you just experienced a verbally abusive microaggression. Sorry that happened, and it may not seem like much but these microaggressions can eat away at you. Especially if these kind of interactions happen on a day to day basis. That brings us to verbal abuse.
First of all, it accounts for over one fourth of reported child abuse, but is also the hardest to prove (“Child Abuse Statistics”). Authorities have to look for mental strains, which are harder to see than bruises and broken bones, and can turn into a he said/she said fight between caregiver and child. Whereas physical abuse and sexual abuse are hard to hide with modern technology, the effects of verbal abuse can hide in every word left unsaid creating an everlasting cycle of silence.
A report of child abuse happens every ten seconds, a disturbing fact. It occurs in families which are rich and poor, and in all ethnic and racial groups. By the time the authorities intervene, it may be too late. The effect that verbal abuse has on children can lead to problems like chronic mental conditions, that will last for the rest of their lives and can never be truly cured. However through therapy for those that have been hurt and to help them not make the same mistakes as their caregivers this problem can mitigated.
The Oxford Dictionary of English definition of verbal abuse does not exist. The definition of abuse mostly covers physical abuse. The Wikipedia definition says: “Verbal abuse is described as a negative defining statement told to the victim or about the victim, or by withholding any response, thereby defining the target as non-existent” (“Verbal Abuse”).
Verbal abuse under this definition accounts for roughly a quarter of all reported abuse. With the phrase verbal abuse, many people often think of aggressive behavior, such as parents screaming at their children and and similar levels of verbal aggression. But this is not the only thing that can do damage. Behaviors like rude sarcasm and complaining to others about their child within earshot of their child are also extremely detrimental. It can be anything from telling one’s older child that they are worthless and need to grow up to telling one’s toddler to stop being a baby and crying so much (Feilds). Such behaviors could be termed microaggressions. Microaggressions are subtle and insidious. On the surface they appear benign. However cumulative small negative assaults can be just as detrimental over time. Since they are often not named or identified as abuse per se, these assaults go unmentioned and unrecognized.
Here are the Short Term Problems
