is at least potentially amenable to solutions. While the United States has made attempts to halt cruelty to children for over a century, it can be argued that child abuse as a concept signifying a public and pressing problem was "discovered" by Drs. Ray Helfer and C. Henry Kempe in 1962 ( Antler, 1981, p. 40). (Vander Mey & Neff, 1986, p. 12)
             The social work field, especially during the progressive era (roughly 1890s to 1920s) made significant strides in the development of a designation of "child maltreatment" and allowable interventions. The goal of the progressive era being individual social control and an end to social conflict, especially within the family it is not surprising that the period ended with a redefinition of child welfare and legal and social needs.(Frankel & Dye, 1991, p. 74) Prior to this time it is important to note than many were resistant to the concept of the family being judged and juried by anyone who was not a part of it.
             This is not to say that the abuse of children, in or outside of the home, was wholly ign
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