A brief look at the history of the treatment of children may provide some answers as to how we might define emotional abuse. As recently as this century, children have not been treated as people but, more as mere objects born for the benefit of their parents. Many parents have felt as though their children were their property and because of this, felt justified in such practices as child labor and abuse. MacMillan, in her article titled, “The History of Child Protection Services,” gives a brief history of the way children have been treated since the 4th century (702). She describes the 4th century, as “infanticidal mode” during which many parents disposed of unwanted children, especially special needs children. The 4th century through the 13th century was known as “abandonment mode” where children weren’t given much thought or attention. The 18th century, in her words, is the “intrusive mode” and parents began to become more involved in the care of their children. It was during this time, though, that industrialization began, and child labor was widespread.
