h that in this nation we love our children". According to his book 'Somewhere A Child Is Crying', at least seven hundred American children are killed each year by their parent or guardian whose abuse has gone too far (p. I).
             Violence and aggression are not new to man. They were very necessary in the earliest days of human experience. Without them we would not be alive today. Man had to fight and defend himself against the ferocious animals of the time. The ability to attack and defend has been inbred into people (Kurland, p. X). The history of child abuse goes clear back to the Middle Ages. It was traditionally accepted as a way to get rid of unwanted babies in Europe during that time period (Hong, p.10). The Bible seems to support child abuse with its famous proverb "Spare the rod and spoil the child". According to Hershman, the neglect and maltreatment of children has been recognized quite a bit more since Dr. Kempe presented his findings at the American Academy of Pediatrics (p. 12)
             Child and Spouse abuse did not become illegal until the early part of the twentieth century. This happened when a little girl named Mary Ellen brought child abuse to the public attention. "Neighbors brought her case to the attention of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which was the only organization that could remedy the situation at the time. The society succeeded in removing the girl from her parent's custody saying that she was a member of the animal kingdom and her parents had violated existing laws against animal cruelty. Soon after this case was investigated, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded" (Hong p.12)
             However throughout the years reports of child a
             ...