Which type of abuse do you think is worst?

[BluCrystal]

I'm just asking this out of curiosity, and to perhaps get some helpful threads going.  Please vote, then share with us why you voted for that one - yes, you can only pick one.  And, yes, we know none are good.  This is hypothetical, like I said, just to see what people think.

[hero65]

hi Blu i chose emotional because i think any kind of physical abuse can have a solution and i think that the problem in any kind of abuse is when it affects the emotional state of a person ... any kind of pure physical abuse can be solved with some meds but emotional abuse can haunt all of your life

[catalinrx]

I choose sexual abuse because can be very devastating. For example, a girl can become pregnant or worse. She can catch an STD. From gonorrhea to HIV. In addition to pregnancy and/or an STD she can develop a suicidal behavior or depression.

[specialmom]

I think I understand what allmymarbles is saying.  Some women feel they have very few options so will put up with something as awful as physical abuse in order to keep a roof over their kids heads.  It does happen, sadly.  

But obviously that isn't a good situation.  I don't think anyone would say it is alright.  It is misguided to think you are 'protecting' your children by staying with someone who abuses you.  But understanding abuse ----  most who endure don't have healthy thinking patterns.  It's a cycle and a pattern, on the abuser's part AS well as  the abused.  Often, someone getting out of an abusive relationship will have to consciously break patterns in order not to repeat it in another relationship.  

[BluCrystal]

My stance is that children should never be left in an abusive situation.  Kids can see and they can hear.  This is almost as bad as being abused themselves... it is emotional abuse, actually, because the children are upset by their mommy being hurt by daddy, they wonder how mommy got that bruise and why she lied and said she fell, they stand in terror of their Daddy, because they don't want him to beat them, too... it goes on and on.

[allmymarbles]

But often it is only the mother that is abused. And he may be a good provider. It is when he goes after the children that she feels she must leave.

[BluCrystal]

I agree.  And I see NO reason for any parent to keep children in any sort of abusive situation, since we now have safe-houses for these women and children, as well as a support system through social services to help them.

[allmymarbles]

I picked physical. I am thinking particularly of the mother who must endure physical abuse in order to keep a roof over her children's heads and food on the table. All abuse is despicable, but in the form I mention the victim is trapped because of love for her children. And that is especially sad.

[10356]

Neglect is up there sorry.. they are all abuse bottom line.

[10356]

I myself can not pick as a person that has been abused in every sense I can say that they all are as equally devastating to ones physci.. It also depends on the length the perpetrator and the age.. For every person that has been abused one way our another It is as bad or worse then any other as they themselves are stuck with that particular abuse. all damaging all hurtful.. Getting help and putting the abuse into perspective realizing It is not you. You will always live with the memories but you can live beyond them.. Neglect is not up there It is also a form of abuse. I wish you well Blu~ lesa

[evewisewoman]

Hi Blu,

I picked " bullying".  This is a very serious issue, not that the other
topics listed aren't serious. As a retired primary teacher, the issue
of bullying often came up. My students and I had some really interesting
discussions about bullying after I read them some stories about bullying.
Cyber bullying is particularly insidious as often the victim cannot trace
where the bullying is coming from. What I found out from reading books
about bullying, is that the person doing the bullying is often being bullied
themselves. I used to tell my grade 2 students that if any child ever
bullies them, they must tell a trusted adult, more than often their own
parents. If they ever wanted to tell me about someone bullying them,
they could and I would deal with it.  Blessings, Eve

[specialmom]

I couldn't pick.  They are all bad.  

[dominosarah]

I picked emotional abuse as it brings all the other ones you listed into play.