Anger in the Age of Entitlement

WOW - So this is why the killing of the unborn (the human species most vulnerable members) is so important. It's the struggle for the soul of individuals and for the soul of the society that fails to protect its most vulnerable members.

I feel that someone who would shake a baby is obviously has some issues.They might be mad about the fact they they had their baby too early.Whoever is responsible for doing this should have thought about having a baby really in consideration.Its NOT the babies fault that you had him/her.Its YOURS!!!You made that descion when you chose to lay down with that other inresponsible person.

The feelings of frustration and anger are common, but the response is complex. Usually, parents are able to retain control.

Not always: the best estimates are that an average of 1400 to 1600 cases of non-accidental head injury will come to medical attention every year(whether all are recognized is an issue).

But it is not as simple as labeling these the acts of "child abusers." They are certain acts of abuse, but most of the perpetrators have no record of abuse.

An interesting study by Des Runyan and others at the UNC School of Public Health (Pediatrics, 2005) found that 2.6% of parents reported a child under age 2 in their household has been shaken - and that there was little difference across socio-economic strata.

Education and awareness about the vulnerability of young child to inflicted head injury can make a VERY big difference: a study by Dias and others found that the incidence of inflicted head injury in the Buffalo area declined by 50% when new parents were educated before they left the hospital (Pediatrics, April 2005).

There's nothing wrong with moral education, but preparation and coping skills are more likely to be effective at reducing the incidence of inflicted abuse.

It's necessary to tell new parents what not to do, but it's not sufficient. Prevention education also needs to educate parents about crying (such as that 10-20% of babies have colic, and there isn't a lot to do about it) and appropriate responses.

It might not have made a difference with Wilson, but it clearly has done so for many parents.

There still is a challenge in effectively reaching males: this case seems to involve an immature and insecure male who felt threatened by a baby.

PS. It's hard enough to get a message across to those folks, but post-conception advice about the wisdom of him fathering a child really seems pointless.